LeEllen started coming to our church when I was in high school. My friends and I called her “glamour girl” because she always had beautiful dresses and makeup. She was tall and beautiful, and her spirit was so warm, inviting, and incredibly loving that we all wanted to be like her.
I don’t remember LeEllen before she was dating Jeff. We always kinda smiled because he was just a bit shorter than her. He was young in his faith when we first met him and would come to our house for Bible studies and ask awesome questions. Jeff was a great listener and he loved God passionately. While they were dating, our family went camping with them in the Seven Devils mountains in Idaho. It was so fun hiking and hanging out with them even though they were at least 10 years older than me. They both loved me well by listening and sharing their lives openly. We had some great talks in those mountains. I remember LeEllen talking about dental floss. I’m sure she was the most loving dental hygienist that ever existed, she was a patient teacher and so enthusiastic.
My junior year of high school, Jeff and LeEllen got married. My mom and I helped at their gift table. It was a sweet ceremony with a time in the middle where people in the audience stood up and shared blessings, memories, compliments, and encouragement. They were filled with joy. After the ceremony and reception, we hung around with their parents and siblings to watch them open wedding gifts. It was the only time I’ve ever seen that, and it was super fun. I was honored to be included in that.
I graduated from high school, went through college, and moved to Seattle. Through those years whenever I saw them, they consistently loved me by asking good questions, listening well, and sharing wisdom and truth about the love of God. The day after I turned 25, a friend and I celebrated New Years at their house with Jeff’s awesome Italian parents. We laughed lots and enjoyed their 2 sweet little boys Peter and Alex.
I don’t remember when LeEllen was diagnosed with Lymphoma. I just know it’s been a long long road. The first time, she went through chemo and went into remission. Then, in the past year, it has come back and progressed despite various treatments and multiple trips out of state and country for more treatment options.
This picture was taken in May when I went home for my brother Will’s baptism. Jeff, LeEllen and their 2 boys Peter (7) and Alex (5) came to witness and celebrate with us. We hung out by the river where he was baptized for a long time afterwards catching up on life. LeEllen was more sweet and beautiful than ever. She and Jeff told about how her struggle changed drastically after visiting a church in California. A woman who was a total stranger asked to pray with her there, and through that prayer and conversation, she saw the value, beauty, and glory of God more clearly than ever before. In the years and months struggling with cancer, she wrestled with God, wanting to live to take care of her boys, wondering why her? and why this? In that time of prayer she grasped the goodness and sovreignty of God, she trusted Him and surrendered her life completely to Him. The questions remained unanswered but the wrestling was done. He is good, He is who He says, He Himself suffered, sacrificed, and died because He loves us too much to let us die eternally, He wants to be with us forever.
“Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise Him, my salvation and my God.” Psalm 42:5
I am so thankful that I have known LeEllen, thankful that I have seen Christ so clearly through her, in her marriage to Jeff, in her incredible faith and her rejoicing in sharing in the sufferings of Christ.
