In Memory of Neil Jarman
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In Memory of Neil Jarman - Help with medical and funeral expenses.
When Neil Jarman was a child he was diagnosed with Hodgkins lymphoma. After a hard-fought battle at a young age, he beat cancer. He later met the love of his life, Susanne, and they were married. They were heartbroken to learn that, because of his cancer treatments, they would be unable to have biological children of their own. That sadness abated when their adopted daughter, Raya joined their little family. A beautiful, fearless warrior who had fought some battles of her own that had left her with special needs, which Neil and Susanne were more than happy to take on.
In January of 2017 Neil went on a hike as the scoutmaster of a group of boys. During the hike he struggled with shortness of breath and chest pains. It was later determined that he had suffered a heart attack and was now in congestive heart failure—all a result of the radiation he received as a child. The same treatment that once saved him was now killing him. He underwent open heart surgery—a quadruple bypass to improve his heart function.
The surgery was difficult and the recovery was long, but he continued to fight. Further complications arose and he was in and out of the hospital for months for procedures, tests, and treatments. He was told his only chance at life was a new heart. Prayers were answered when he qualified to be placed on the waiting list! Though weary and weak, he continued to fight.
His health was declining, his kidneys were failing, and everyone prayed for a miracle. The news came just in time. They found a match! Neil and his loved ones were ecstatic to learn they had a donor heart! They hoped this would be the miracle they prayed for. However, there were complications during surgery—his was a very difficult case—and things did not go as hoped. He had massive bleeding and swelling. His chest was left open for several days, and he was put on machines to help his heart, lungs, and kidneys function.
Susanne was at his side every step of the way, as they fought yet another battle. When alert, he would mouth the words “I love you” to Susanne and she would tell him how proud she was of him, as she held his hand and watched the tears slide down his cheek. When things got worse, she asked if he wanted to keep fighting. He nodded yes. Shortly after, his doctors discovered a bacterial and fungal infection in his blood. He became unresponsive.
After so many battles fought, so many surgeries, treatments, procedures, prayers, long days and lonely nights in the hospital, the doctors finally told Susanne there was nothing more they could do to save his life. She held Neil’s hand as they turned off the machines one at a time, and he quietly passed away, finally finding the peace he fought so hard for these past years. On December 3rd, 2018, Neil returned home to the loving arms of his Father in Heaven.
As Susanne and Raya are mourning the loss of their beloved Neil at this time, they are also faced with an uncertain financial future. As the primary caretaker for both Neil and Raya these past couple of years, Susanne has been unable to work. They gave up their home and sold all of their belongings when they moved from California to Utah, where Neil’s trusted medical team could treat him. Susanne is now facing life without Neil, without income, without employment, without a home, and with a precious special needs daughter who is missing her Daddy.
Though Neil’s physical heart was scarred and failing, his soul-heart was unblemished. He cared deeply and loved completely every day of his life. He wrote beautiful music and shared his gift with the world. His dimpled smile was contagious, and he spread love and laughter everywhere he went. Few people have the ability to live in the present, to be in each moment wholly, but it’s how he lived each day. No kind words unspoken, no good deeds undone, no love withheld, and no hate harbored. He gave all he had to those he loved—and he loved everyone.
Please honor his life by giving what you can to help ease the financial burden of his sweet Susanne and Raya, and help them get back on their feet after this unimaginable loss.
(Tribute written by Terrin Parker)
When Neil Jarman was a child he was diagnosed with Hodgkins lymphoma. After a hard-fought battle at a young age, he beat cancer. He later met the love of his life, Susanne, and they were married. They were heartbroken to learn that, because of his cancer treatments, they would be unable to have biological children of their own. That sadness abated when their adopted daughter, Raya joined their little family. A beautiful, fearless warrior who had fought some battles of her own that had left her with special needs, which Neil and Susanne were more than happy to take on.
In January of 2017 Neil went on a hike as the scoutmaster of a group of boys. During the hike he struggled with shortness of breath and chest pains. It was later determined that he had suffered a heart attack and was now in congestive heart failure—all a result of the radiation he received as a child. The same treatment that once saved him was now killing him. He underwent open heart surgery—a quadruple bypass to improve his heart function.
The surgery was difficult and the recovery was long, but he continued to fight. Further complications arose and he was in and out of the hospital for months for procedures, tests, and treatments. He was told his only chance at life was a new heart. Prayers were answered when he qualified to be placed on the waiting list! Though weary and weak, he continued to fight.
His health was declining, his kidneys were failing, and everyone prayed for a miracle. The news came just in time. They found a match! Neil and his loved ones were ecstatic to learn they had a donor heart! They hoped this would be the miracle they prayed for. However, there were complications during surgery—his was a very difficult case—and things did not go as hoped. He had massive bleeding and swelling. His chest was left open for several days, and he was put on machines to help his heart, lungs, and kidneys function.
Susanne was at his side every step of the way, as they fought yet another battle. When alert, he would mouth the words “I love you” to Susanne and she would tell him how proud she was of him, as she held his hand and watched the tears slide down his cheek. When things got worse, she asked if he wanted to keep fighting. He nodded yes. Shortly after, his doctors discovered a bacterial and fungal infection in his blood. He became unresponsive.
After so many battles fought, so many surgeries, treatments, procedures, prayers, long days and lonely nights in the hospital, the doctors finally told Susanne there was nothing more they could do to save his life. She held Neil’s hand as they turned off the machines one at a time, and he quietly passed away, finally finding the peace he fought so hard for these past years. On December 3rd, 2018, Neil returned home to the loving arms of his Father in Heaven.
As Susanne and Raya are mourning the loss of their beloved Neil at this time, they are also faced with an uncertain financial future. As the primary caretaker for both Neil and Raya these past couple of years, Susanne has been unable to work. They gave up their home and sold all of their belongings when they moved from California to Utah, where Neil’s trusted medical team could treat him. Susanne is now facing life without Neil, without income, without employment, without a home, and with a precious special needs daughter who is missing her Daddy.
Though Neil’s physical heart was scarred and failing, his soul-heart was unblemished. He cared deeply and loved completely every day of his life. He wrote beautiful music and shared his gift with the world. His dimpled smile was contagious, and he spread love and laughter everywhere he went. Few people have the ability to live in the present, to be in each moment wholly, but it’s how he lived each day. No kind words unspoken, no good deeds undone, no love withheld, and no hate harbored. He gave all he had to those he loved—and he loved everyone.
Please honor his life by giving what you can to help ease the financial burden of his sweet Susanne and Raya, and help them get back on their feet after this unimaginable loss.
(Tribute written by Terrin Parker)
Organizer and beneficiary
Karen Christiansen
Organizer
South Jordan, UT
Susanne Jarman
Beneficiary
