Monday, September 30, 2013

An Ending

This is Jenn's friend, Nikki (aka Starcat), writing to let you know that Jenn passed away in hospice on September 24, 2013 at 4:22pm, peacefully, surrounded by family and friends. We will be keeping this blog up so that people can still discover it and be inspired by her amazing story.

Here is a brief look at her final days.

Jenn's strength and health had declined after her last post, and she made the difficult decision to check herself into the hospice house on September 6th. She had already found a perfect adoptive family for her beloved cat, Stewie, and was able to let him go to his new home that afternoon.

At hospice, Jenn was always surrounded by family and friends. Her sunlit room was filled with flowers, crystals, pictures drawn by kids who love her, and towards the end, a sound machine that gave her the sound of the waves at the beach. Outside the window was a garden and a beautiful wind sculpture.

On September 13, a very important item on Jenn's "bucket list" was fulfilled. Her favorite musician, Michael Franti, came to visit her in hospice. He brought along his guitar and one of his band members, and they stayed for over an hour. This private concert of songs Jenn loved also contained much love, sharing of stories, and hugs. She was able to connect with Michael, who is a warm and giving soul, and receive the gift of one of her dreams coming true. Although she had been sleeping a lot by then, she was awake for the entire hour and was thrilled beyond measure.

As Jenn's health continued to decline, she was visited by so many people who love her and care about her. She was wheeled out into the sunshine, had people reading to her, and was sung and played to by musician friends. Her polarity therapist visited her several times and really helped her in the process of letting go.

A group of people gathered in her room on September 22, the Autumnal Equinox, for a loving and very moving ceremony, the purpose of which was to help her let go of her physical body. From then on, family and friends kept vigil with Jenn, and she passed away on the afternoon of September 24th, surrounded by loved ones, as had been her wish.

Jenn did not want a funeral, and instead had planned a private Celebration of Life gathering for family and friends. In lieu of flowers, she asked that people who would like to contribute would choose one of her favorite charities:

Edgebrook Inc.:  Edgebrook, Inc is a non-profit organization which offers "Moving Through Grief, Trauma and Loss" residential workshops in Alfred, Maine.  Make checks out to Edgebrook Inc. and mail donations to P.O. Box 13, Pownal, Maine 04069     http://edgebrook.org/

Island Dolphin Care:  IDC is a not-for-profit organization participants reclaim hope, shed stress and find inspiration through activities centered around dolphin human therapy. Make checks out to IDC: donations can be sent to Deena and Peter at 150 Lorelane Place, Key Largo, Florida 33037    http://www.islanddolphincare.org/

Cancer Community Center:  The CCC supports and promotes the well-being of people living with cancer, their families and their friends.  Make checks out to Cancer Community Center; mail donations to Cancer Community Center, 778 Main St.,South Portland, Maine  04106   http://www.cancercommunitycenter.org

Thank you for reading. Many blessings.