On August 16, my niece Jeni was full of excitement as she left Victoria BC and flew to the UK to visit her younger sister Krissy. Together, they would be going to the Taylor Swift concert and then embarking on a sightseeing road trip, a plan that had been in the works for more than a year.
On August 20 while at the concert, Jeni suffered a medical emergency and despite the efforts of the first responders, and later the emergency doctors at the hospital, she tragically passed away. She was 35 years old.
Our whole family is in shock and disbelief.
Jenifer Dawn was everything her name was – she was entirely unique and as bright as the morning sun. And looking back, I remember that she came into this world as suddenly and unexpectedly as she left it.
My sister had a very complicated pregnancy, and the day Jeni was born my sister herself suffered a medical emergency in which we came so very close to losing her. Truly one of the scariest days of my life. Eventually all was well and finally getting to see my sister with her new baby girl was everything I had hoped and prayed for.
She was my sister’s firstborn (or as our mother used say “the first of my second”) but to my sister and I, they weren’t her kids or my kids, they were our kids. Between us, we had four kids and even though Jeni was technically my sister’s first, my daughter Kayla naturally filled the role of Jeni’s older sister.
As a child, Jeni was a force to be reckoned with. She had unlimited energy and a personality to match. As she grew up, she turned into a shy young woman, who cared deeply for her family and friends.
In June of this year, she graduated from Camosun College. I remember just prior to her graduation I was asking my sister what exactly Jeni’s degree was in, and she planned to ask Jeni, but kept forgetting to. Finally, the day of her graduation came and wanting to congratulate her, I had the following conversation with her:
This was my last written conversation with Jeni. One I will no doubt remember many moons from now.
Losing a loved one can be so complicated on so many levels. Passing away overseas brings on more complications than one can ever imagine.
If anyone is interested, a friend has organized a GoFundMe to help Jeni’s immediate family with all the unexpected additional expenses during this very difficult time.
Well said
She left of an image in my mind of her smiling face
Will never forget
Our body will always returns to where it came from but our spirit lives on forever and I know she is still with us
May God bless Lisa and the family
We will never forget đź’•
Oh my gosh, Shari. This is shocking. I am so sorry for you and your entire family. It makes me sad to think that such a long celebratory trip could end so tragically and to someone so young.
Hugs to you,
Jennifer
Such a shock… thanks for the hugs đź’•