Jessa & Emma Fund

Allison Gillum, 39, of Juneau, AK, died peacefully Nov 2, 2023, in Anchorage, with her sister, Jessalyn, by her side. Doctors believe Allison suffered an extremely rare, catastrophic medical condition called amniotic fluid embolism during labor (you can read about AFE at http://ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4874066/). Baby Emma was safely delivered Oct 13 by emergency C-section, but tragically, Allie never regained consciousness.

Emma is thriving and strong, looking very much like her 4-yr-old big sister, Jessa, who has embraced her new role - she loves holding and feeding baby Emma.

Her highest priority, Allison was a tireless, dedicated mother, bringing her considerable humor, patience, love, and experience as a strong, spirited child to her care for her hilarious, impossibly bright daughter. Allison was a true force of nature, who burned brightly for her thirty nine years. The light and warmth she radiated attracted many friends, who gravitated to her kindness, thoughtfulness, enthusiasm, and loving spirit.

Allison is survived by her parents, Amanda and Bill Gillum, her sister, Jessalyn Gillum, her two young daughters, Jessalyn and Emma Miller-Gillum, and their father, Abner Atlee Miller. She also leaves behind loving extended family/cousins, lifelong friends, and loyal communities she helped create wherever she went. We are all devastated by this heartbreaking loss.

Donations to this “Jessa & Emma Fund” will help to sustain and educate her two young daughters. Celebrations of Allison’s Life in Juneau and Princeton are being planned for the spring.