Jenna’s burial, memorial and family support

Hi my name is Catherine and I want to raise funds for my high school friend Fleur to help her bury her beautiful daughter Jenna who has recently passed away after her long battle with cancer and to help ease the financial burden for the family as they grieve and adjust to the passing of their precious Jenna, and to hold a memorial at a appropriate time. Fleur has never asked for financial help and she is incredibly private and independent. However this is my gift of love to Fleur, Jenna, Tessa and Sean because they so need our help.

Throughout Jenna’s illness Fleur has been a rock of strength love and compassion not only for Jenna but for her other two children Tessa and Sean. Jenna and her family’s path has not been an easy one and they have faced many challenges and supported Jenna since her first diagnosis in 2003.

Jenna’s short life has been extremely hard. She was born with Spinal Meningioma and had her first surgery to remove the tumor at 1 1/2 years old. Since this first diagnosis Jenna has had to endure multiple operations on her spine and feet as a result of the nerve damage that was caused by the tumor. She has had multiple foot reconstructions, radiation treatments and removal of the tumors as they regrew. Jenna had a brief reprieve and then at age 16 years old the tumor returned and she underwent further surgery and treatment. At 18years of age the tumor continued to grow and at 19 Jenna underwent a drastic spinal surgery in the hope to remove it and win the fight but which came at a great cost leaving her paralyzed from the waist down. This further decreased Jenna's quality of life and the family as they continued to support Jenna as best they could. Jenna and her family were thankful she was alive. She was then diagnosed with a peripheral nerve sheath tumor. Jenna underwent further radiation treatment, as chemo would not work and surgery was no longer an option. In September this year I visited them as Jenna's cancer had spread throughout her body.

Imagine knowing your life will end soon and trying desperately to live to win the battle. Imagine knowing you won’t. Imagine watching someone you love - your child - your sister over countless years become ravaged by cancer? How do you do it? Fleur has unbendingly faced it alone as a single mother and without family support. She has stood beside her daughter and other children with positivity, dedication, sacrifice, compassion, boundless love and stoicism. She has been Jenna's pillar of strength and has shown us not to bow under the weight of misfortune but to endure and keeping walking forward no matter how slow, no matter how hard. How incredibly heartbreaking it has been to have so much beyond your control but to stand by her daughter holding her hand through every step. How hard is it to carry on being a positive role model when your loved one is dying increment by increment, battle after losing battle and deal with your pain in your own heart as you watch your loved one suffer and know their future is limited no matter how much you try to deny it?

Let me tell you a little bit about Jenna and the beautiful young woman she is. Jenna's smile would light up a room and she would always try to cram laughter and fun into her life. Her spirit was indomitable. Jenna always put others first and was a caring and loving person who brought happiness and joy to everyone around her. Jenna loved animals and worked at a vet clinic. Baking was a passion and she loved cooking and her gluten free cakes were the bomb. As young children Jenna and Tessa always sang together and the neighbors commented on how they enjoyed to listen to them. The three children would set up tables and make a special mother's day dinner for Fleur. Family was everything to them. Recently Jenna made sure that she bought a bunch of flowers for her mother each week. Jenna's love for her mother, sister and brother was fierce.

Fleur was unable to work as she has been a fulltime carer for Jenna. She has not been able to follow the normal path to gain financial security let alone follow her own dreams or focus on her own challenges. Fleur’s sole focus was providing the crucial care, love and strength for Jenna to face her greatest challenge as well as raising Tessa and Sean and supporting them. Fleur has been an incredible role model, a loving parent and has raised her children with respect, positivity and nurturing love. She has taught them what sacrifice and endurance means to fight the long fight throwing everything you can at cancer to beat it and acceptance of what cannot be changed, to face down the challenges before you, to always be there for each other. These lessons forged through great pain will never leave them and will help sustain them and me throughout life’s great challenges.

Now as they cope with Jenna’s passing, I ask that we offer our support to say you are not alone WE CARE! Your support for Fleur, Tessa and Sean at this time of great sorrow and loss would be immeasurably valued and ease the added stress of burial / memorial costs and support through the oncoming weeks that have been beyond Fleur’s means to prepare for as she cared for Jenna. Your support would enable them to grieve and take the time needed to process their loss without the added burden of financial stresses and changes that will be required for living arrangements as Fleur begins to rebuild her life. Fleur will be in charge of the funds so that she can access as required.

Jenna's story has shown that life is precious and must be celebrated and lived despite the crappy cards you are dealt. She fiercely loved her family and fought as long and hard as she could.

Jenna your spirit can now soar free from your pain. There is only wonder and discovery of life’s mysteries and a constellation of joy and radiance for you now. Go fiercely with our love. You will never be forgotten and all who have known you will be forever touched by your life, spirit, strength and love.