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Jan Lynn Chalfant - Our Light

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This was my mom (Jan) just last Friday.



This was mom the very next day...


She suffered from an unexpected brain aneurysm which caused a severe hemorrhage that gave her a 0% (recovery) life expectancy. She collapsed on Saturday evening. My brother had the courage to call 911 and she was sent to Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles, CA. They detected the aneurysm and put her on life support. At that point, cries for help and immediate responses went out to family and friends. 


I awoke Sunday morning to messages that screamed EMERGENCY, GET HERE NOW, YOUR MOM IS IN THE HOSPITAL.


The day went something like this:


8am Oh my God, why is this happening?

9:30 Uber to the airport

10:30 Ask every airline for soonest flight to LA

12:40 Got on Standby

   -Cried

   -Wrote down happy thoughts about mom

2pm Landed at LAX

3pm Saw mom for the first time (sobbed)

Thanked Patti, Dylan, Eric, Haylee, Dave, Rosanne and Keith for being there

5pm Met with Nurse Practitioner (Kim)

   -CT scans

   -Explanation

   -Outcomes - not good


GOAL: Keep mom alive until dad arrives 7pm the next day


6pm Learn names of neuro team working on my mom’s situation

   -More research

7 -9pm Messages to core family, prayers, thoughts…

   -Visitors

   -Vitals

   -Focus, stay strong

   -Moments alone

10pm Take Jensen home so he can find a way to sleep

   -Couldn’t sleep

   -Cleaned apartment like mom would want

   -Gathered frames, cards, jewelry to build a tribute to mom

1am Laid on the floor, stared at the ceiling and listened to music…didn’t sleep


Two days later…she died.


They say “life is short”

My mom didn’t just survive, she thrived. She wrote her own story.  A beautiful story of life, energy, light, love, connection, laughter, vibrancy, sacrifice, can do attitude, take on anything, never give up, soul, family, friends, dancing, singing and the best hugs. The way she would smile, hold you and tell you how amazing you are. How proud of whatever it was you were working on, achieving, carrying on your shoulders. She wore her heart on her sleeve and didn’t care what people thought…well, she might have cared a little bit. ;)

She was a big sister to her cousins, the youngest of 5, a best friend and lover of 50 years, apart of a dream team, a mother of two and a believer to our one and only God.

How could a woman touch so many people? It was a week's worth of stories that directed a lifetime full of memories. Not having her in our lives will forever change the way we embrace each other. We will forever be inspired by her ability to take on any hardship and transform it…or in her words “call it out” and give it to our Lord. Nothing will ever take your place in our hearts and memories. Just because you didn’t have the chance to fight for your life, doesn’t detour us from fighting for ours.

You may have written your own story, but these words today, we’re written by the ones who shared in and adored your life. This might be the most difficult time of our lives. But as you would say, “fear not son, God is with you.” From me and everyone you’ve touched, we love you mom, we love you Jan, love you Big J, love ya sis, love you Luffy, love you girl…see you Monday, love you Janni-poo, love you, sweetie, love you squeak, love you to the moon and back.

Mom did a good job of preparing a life for her kids after death. However, this unexpected loss has left us in need of immediate financial and emotional assistance. Over the next week, we will incur several large expenses to ensure the proper resting place for Jan. Your charity will help mom do what she did best…celebrate life!


Itemized list:


Memorial Services, CA

Cremation = $700

Mom’s Urn = $450

Family Urns (5-8) = $1,050

Flowers = $400

Catering (75-100 people) = $2,300

Death Certs (10) = $210



Memorial Services, IN

Flowers = $200

Catering (50 people) = $1,100

 

Logistics to and from CA

Rob’s flight one way = $374

Rob’s flight back = $350

Rob’s 2nd flight back to help Jensen move = $550

Dad’s flight = $650

U-haul CA to IN = $2,300

Gas for U-haul = $720


Emotional support = Anything helps


Total Needed = $11,354


Her crew...



Her family...



Her smile...


We'll miss you Jan Lynn.
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Donations 

  • Liz Maranon
    • $107
    • 5 yrs
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Organizer

Robert Chalfant
Organizer
Los Angeles, CA

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