As many of you know, my daughter Jerilyn passed away on June 26th. As a gift to me, I would appreciate you leaving a comment with your favorite memory of Jerilyn. I love to remember the fun times she had and hear about the many lives she touched. Thanks so much.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
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21 comments:
Jerilyn was so funny I love her, she has such a great personality. I loved going to visit her in Las Vegas, I remember being scared for my life when I was in the car with her. She had an amazing ability to multi task. There was never a dull moment. I will miss her but cherish the memories I have. We love you Jo.
Jerilyn was just fun to be around and fun to talk to. She almost always knew the full scoop on everything and everyone, and if not, she knew the right questions to ask to get the full scoop! I really had a lot of fun just sitting around at the Nielsen home in Salt Lake and talking with the family. Jennifer and Jerilyn were always entertaining to listen to, and then you'd get JoRita and Greg, Eric and Brittany in the mix and it was a blast! They knew how to have a good time together. We had some great times waterskiing and wakeboarding, the camping trip to Lake Powell was so fun, and we had a great trip to California as well. Jerilyn was very interested in and concerned about others, and always made me feel appreciated. I loved going to her house to watch "24" with her and Aaron. She was a great mom and was so cute with her kids. I'm so glad I had the chance to know her, and I certainly will miss her.
Emily (Watkins) Jensen
When the twins were about 5 years old they were visiting the old farm in Othello. Behind the house was a small orchard with the apricots ripe and ready to be picked. Jerilyn picked and ate fresh apricots off the trees, cold from the fridge, stewed, sliced, diced. Eating this abundance of apricots produced an abundance of bowel movements in little Jerilyn. One evening, Steven’s date came for a family dinner. And wouldn’t you know it; we were serving stewed apricots on ice-cream for dessert. At the table, JoRita tried to politely and tastefully caution Jerilyn to go easy on her apricot intake reminding her, “You remember what happens?” Jerilyn looked at Steven’s date and with wide eyes, while holding her hands up and apart as though measuring a long fish, explained, “Yah, you know I had a poop THIS LONG!?”
Aunt Julie
I used to babysit Jennifer and Jerilyn even though they aren't much younger than I am. When they were supposed to go to bed, I would sit in their bedroom and we would talk and talk instead. An especially fun time is when I went with the family to San Diego as the built-in babysitter on the trip. Jerilyn was always so fun to be around!
I knew Jerilyn best as a teenager. She had a tiny mark on her face that I used to distinguish her from Jennifer, and I tried to address her by name. She is one of a pair, but she is also just one. Her enthusiasm for life transcended the rules that adults tried to impose upon her. Sometimes it made her life harder than it had to be. On the other hand, her spontaneity and impulsiveness brought a lot of excitement. Jennifer and Jerilyn came to Young Women's Camp with me one year, without JoRita along to keep an eye on them. The ensuing wrestling match between the mischievous twins and me, the fresh camp leader, made it the most memorable of all of my years at camp. They are a skilled tag team, and they won that round. However, they didn't carry it beyond the canvas, and I appreciated that. Jerilyn matured, and her love of life and family buoyed her. She'll always be my friend.
When I think of Jerilyn I think of how interested she was in my life. I remeber getting together as a family at Grandpa and Grandma Nielsen's house and Jerilyn was always asking how my life was and what I was up to. It meant a lot as a 12 year old to have someone older and so much cooler than I interested in my life.
My earliest memories with Jerilyn are probably when she came to stay with us when she was in high school and had to drive a huge old blue suburban to school (but she still managed to be so cool). I remember her having friends with car names - Mercedes and Porsche? I remember her frosty pink lipstick and always chewing gum. And listening to Madonna. I remember her dropping the knife through the arch of her foot and letting the tarantula crawl all over her in Mexico. I remember her making delicious Creme Brulet (sp?) for the family in SLC and how funny she was with Grandma Beer. I remember how fun and involved she was with her boys at the swimming pool in Mexico and at the Zoo in Phoenix. I remember visiting Jerilyn in the hospital when she was pregnant with William and her having a great sense of humor, despite being stuck in bed for months. I remember how great she and Aaron always were together - how sweet their relationship seemed. I remember feeling loved and accepted by Jerilyn, feeling like she cared about me and was interested in whatever I cared about.
I love Jerilyn and am so grateful to know I'll get to see her again. Love you too, Auntie jo.
My earliest memory of Jerliyn was the Christmas we all went to Phoenix with all the Beer cousins. I had barely stepped off the plane and Jenn and Jerilyn sat me downstairs, plugged in their curling irons and divided my hair down the middle and each took a side to curl. I was soooo into them! Jerliyn was always so beautiful, with the greatest outfits, eye shadow and bangs! I remember her driving me around in the big old Suburban, blasting Paula Abdul, Madonna and Donna Summer, singing into a hair brush and thinking she was a rock star!
My favorite thing about Jerilyn was the way she so sincerely cared about everyone. She would ask such insightful, empathetic questions. She was never nosy--just concerned. I loved that about her.
My favorite thing about Jerilyn was the way she so sincerely cared about everyone. She would ask such insightful, empathetic questions. She was never nosy--just concerned. I loved that about her.
I remember when we went to the ranch and Jerilyn wanted to catch crawdads. I remember her being the first to jump of the cliffs at Lake Powell. She was fearless!
I remember when she brought Andrew up for a visit and she was working at the Gap and she let all the Vela kids go into Gap and use her discount. I wanted to work at Gap. To me, she was the epitome of cool. During this same visit, I had to go to a school function and wanted to look totally cute, so Jerilyn helped me get ready, knowing how important junior high functions were to a girl. She even let me borrow one of her shirts. She was always so generous with everything she had.
The Richey family always had so much fun interacting with Jerilyn and the rest of you at your Memorial Day Bar-B-Que and at other times. It was always so enjoyable to be at your home and watch the kids play, swim, and have a good time. We cherish all of the wonderful moments. Jerilyn was such a beautiful, happy person to be around and we loved her as we do all of your family. Such happy times are what make life meaningful and precious. We send our love, Wayne, Renee and all
I was only around Jerilyn briefly when she was a young child. Somehow I could easily tell which twin was Jennifer and which was Jerilyn. I’m sure it wasn’t me. I believe it was the strong personality each projected and their own special ways of connecting to people. They were beautiful daughters of an extraordinary mother whom I have always loved. JoRita and Greg my heart aches for you both. My tears join those of all who sorrow for this loss. Love you always - Nancy W.
Sandra said.... Jerilyn was a very personable. She always made you feel better about yourself, even though you knew she was struggling herself. I remember our many brief talks with her. It seemed she wanted to know what was happening, how everyone was, etc... I think that she should have had a job as a newsy - she was a great scooper on everyone's lives and knew the latest. I also remember her making what I believe was her first Creme Brulet'. She was so concerned that she would burn the sugar when she torched the top. It was delicious, and guess what - no burnt offerings. If I recall rightly, she was always helping around the Nielsen's home, doing dishes, helping JoRita and such. I know that she will be greatly missed. I loved her, and I love all of her family. May the Lord be with You through this challenging time.
Love you!!!!!
I don't know where to begin...My heart is broken, my tears won't stop. I grew up with Jerilyn since I was in pre-school. Jo Rita and my mom, Carolyn taught together at Crossroads. Some of my favorite memories were walking home with Jerilyn & Jenn from Mercury Mine and Grandma Beer would have Graham Cracker Cookie's w/powered sugared icing, or the time in High School we got hair bleach down stairs and I dyed both the girls hair and finally Jo Rita opened the bathroom door and said,"Thank you Jackie, for making my girls blond again" oops, we were kinda in trouble. Or, the many things we thought of putting on the trampoline to make it more fun (or dangerous) soap etc. And the time we called Dunkin donuts (late) and talked to them at length, and drilled them as to why they don't deliver like Dominos. I always enjoyed being involved in The Nielsen's Family Home Evening Chart, cause my family was always crazy. Jo Rita, you are in my heart and in my prayers everyday,evernight. I'm here for you and the family. I love you.
Email: jackieteale1@aol.com Phone: 480-216-5859.
From Aja:
I remember when you took Sonna and I and probably Eric and Brittany to the mall in Phoenix where Jerilyn was working and she had broken a nail and that's why we went to see her, to bring her some crazy glue. Since that time, I can't remember when I couldn't find crazy glue in Jerilyn's purse or car.
When you guys came to Blakely, I remember how Jenn and Jerilyn rowed out to Seal Island and found a dead baby seal and brought it back and cleaned it up and tacked it thinking they could have a soft little seal skin for a souvenir. It just ended up being stinky.
When Jerilyn lived with us, she drove that awesome old big blue suburban. She always had some gum in her car if I needed some.
Jerilyn was one of the first people to visit me when I had Aniston. She arrived later than she had expected because it took her so long to pick out a gift at Target. I still have the pink fuzzy baby slippers and baby nail clippers that she got me. She also found the cutest dress for Aniston that Elsie is still wearing.
I loved being in Las Vegas with Jerilyn and only wished we had lived closer. I would have loved to hang out with her every day, because it was ALWAYS fun. I loved her unique view of the world, and her great son Andrew, and loved to talk about celebrity gossip with her, and talk about married life, and jonah and I both loved to marvel at the comedy team of Aaron and Jerilyn and how much they complemented each other in every way. I especially adored their marriage because I remember so many of my prayers for Jerilyn that she would find someone absolutely wonderful to marry, and miraculously, Aaron came. He adored her so much, and I know he rubbed off on Jonah, and I appreciate that.
Jerilyn was always there to help, even when it was a wacky request, like a couple years ago I needed her to go buy a crib for me I had found on the internet that a guy in her area was selling. She quickly went and got it for me, no qualms.
I loved her cooking, especially russian-frito salad, which has the weirdest ingredients, but is so tasty.
Jerilyn-isms have been so much a part of my everyday speech, that I don't know how I got along without them. Like "fruit-nuts" of course, but also little phrases that I only notice a few moments after I've said them. I'll try and remember to write them down now.
I miss Jerilyn so much. She was such a bright, delightful, unique woman, that she will always be in our memories, but it still hurts to not be able to call her and get the scoop on this or that. To not be able to be loved directly by her in everything she conveyed to me. She was, and is, one of my absolutely favorite people in the whole world. I am so blessed to have been her friend AND her cousin, because I'll still get to talk about her and love her with all my relatives and her kids for the rest of my life. Thanks for asking for these memories, JoRita. I love to get to write them down. We love you and pray for you!
I remember when I was staying with Auntie Jo for Christmas and Jerliyn took me up to her room and we lay in bed while I talked and talked and she talked and talked and she listened and LISTENED. This was soooo huge to me. The person who I totally looked up to all my life was taking time out of hers to really want to hear about my teenage drama. I felt so important and loved and cared about. She was always so easy to talk to and always tried to relate and empathize. She was also so real and so funny and had so much energy. She was the one you always wanted to sit by for the commentary on everyday life- always making me laugh out loud. She was ALWAYS the life of the party!
My name is Sarah Heuss(Baker),I knew Jerilyn form Mercury Mine Elementary and Shay Middle. My favorite memory of Jerilyn was when we were in 5th or 6th grade and a limo picked us up from school for Jennifer and Jerilyn's birthday party. We had such a great time! I feel blessed to have known her. My thoughts and prayers go out to her family. I'm so sorry for your loss.
I don't remember my life before knowing Jennifer and Jerilyn since we were 3 or 4. They were an integral piece of my childhood and play a starring role in many of my childhood memories.
I have so many memories of Jerilyn but today I was helping my kids decide what they want to be for Halloween and it reminded me that we would all plan out our Halloween costumes for months. It was so much fun getting dressed up together. (we were usually punks but one year we wanted to buy pink satin and have our moms make us 'pink ladies' jackets. We were not happy when they said no. We thought it was a great idea.
Today I am also remembering recesses playing dodgeball, kickball, british bulldog and Miss America at the end of the field. Many birthday parties, dancing in the middle of the street with our 'ghettoblasters', the cabin, shopping, girls camp, sleep overs, boys, and more boys, and most importantly lots of laughter and lots of friendship.
Jerilyn had one of those magnetic personalities. People just wanted to be around her (and Jenn). I know I did.
She will be missed but I know we will see each other again and will be able to continue our friendship. Until that time she will always remain in my memories (with pink frosted lip gloss, of course)
Cami (Llewellyn) Blair
JoRita, I knew Jerilyn at Mercury Mine and Shea Middle School. We have never stayed in touch over the years and my memories were always of 'the twins' Jenn & Jeri from grade school.
This morning, I woke up after having had a long, vivid dream of Jerilyn, felt compelled to Google her and was terribly saddened to discover her recent passing on her sisters blog.
I know from experience that there is nothing that can be said or done to lessen the pain of your loss. I offer this comment to share with you what is in my Heart about your Daughter.
When I first transferred to Mercury Mine, my family had just moved to Arizona from Yonkers, NY. My parents are Jordanian and I have a very unique name (for a boy)- Hani. My years in grade school were a big challenge for me as I was incesssently teased about my name, my race and my accent.
I felt like an outsider and never quite accepted by other children. I suppose I existed on the fringe and my best friends at the time were a developmentally challenged girl in our class and an Ethiopian boy who was beat up and teased almost as often as I was. Neither was very popular either.
The reason I still think about your Daughter is the impression she left on me at such an impressionable time in my life, and how that has served me through the years and how it is still a beacon in my life today.
I remember that she and her friends (Porsche Baily, Jackie Teale, Cami Lllewellen among many others...) were the prettiest girls in school and quite popular and loved- not because they were pretty, but because they were active, involved and filled with an uplifting school-spirit - although I'm certain that being very pretty helped ;)
At the time I had a crush on Jackie, as I had a thing for freckles and she had them. I even wrote her name on a dumpster in the alley behind my parents house with some discarded lipstick (my friend Paul also wrote his crush's name) and that Dumpster is STILL there after all these years and the lipstick never faded!
I think that this is how I came into Jeri's focus, and I noticed that she began to pay special attention to me. Reading all these comments crystallizes in my mind why this would be- she had a tremendous concern for all her friends and family and it seems natural that she would be the one to stick her neck out to sous out the new guy...
As long as it has been since I have seen or heard about Jeri, she has always been a special person to me and will always be. Her mark is one I am proud to carry... At the time I was beginning to develop an 'angry young boy' attitude and frequently got into fights and didn't live up to my academic potential. I didn't like the idea of being further ostracized because i loved books and reading...not exactly a 'popular' activity.
Jeri took notice of this, having been in several years grade school together and something she said to me while we were in Mr. Mooney's 1st hour Science class at Shea Middle School made a big impact on my future.
Her insight literally helped me to see clearly the man that I wanted to become. Not an angry, disgruntled one, but one with an enourmous capacity for love and serving and helping people. One that shared great stories and moved people.
I can honestly say that my brief friendship with your Daughter has gotten me through many difficult periods in my life kept me 'on track'. I know that My Daughter Mya has a much better father today because of the impression that Jerilyn left on me.
While the circumstances regarding that 'talk' we had was personal and I do not wish to post it online, I can say that Jerilyn demonstrated an incredible maturity, intuitiveness and caring that is rarely possessed by one so young.
Her thoughtfulness and capacity for understanding someone 'a world away' is remarkable, and I pray that this comment will help it to remain a cherished memory to you. That she and Jenn were two of the most beautiful girls on campus went without saying, and had they had the attitude and demeanor to match, they may have been despised for it.
It is a testament to how you raised your children that the world (certainly mine) is brighter having had them in it. Seeing her picture on Brittanys blog brought back a flood of memories... She had the unfortunate experience of sitting with me at a 'round table' in class when one morning I became very ill all over that same table! While she personally teased me about it occasionally, she never made it public and for the life of me I cannot imagine how the whole school wasn't teasing me about it without perhaps the determined and ever-present influence of someone who everyone looked up to...
Maybe my dream this morning was Jeri stopping by and seeing how an old friend was doing. It would seem perfectly suited to her soul that she would spend her time now checking up on people who had a hard time in the past. What a wonderful dream it was, seeing Jerilyn and being reminded.
What a tremendously beautiful experience it was knowing your Daughter. The world will know many songs, poems and stories rich with her blessings. I am happy to see that three children and a husband have been indelibly influenced by her time here. It will serve us all well.
Thank you JoRite for this opportunity to share and if there is ever anything I can do for you or your family, please do not hesitate to call on my family. We would be joyful and honored.
hani@netcetra.net
480.888.1896
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