Jessica’s Story

Site created on March 15, 2021

Two weeks after going to the doctor for a kidney stone, Jessica Nash was faced with some devastating news.  The doctors found a mass on her Pancreas, as well they noticed masses on her Liver, her Ovaries and in her Lungs.  Immediately a biopsy was completed, and Jess was promptly diagnosed with Stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer.   Now, within three weeks of her first visit to the doctor, she is facing one of the most intense treatments offered to try and spare her some remaining time.   Jess has been given 6 months to one year to live if she does not receive treatment.  With treatment, the doctors are giving her up to two years.  As for our family, we are praying for a miracle...

Jessica has been forced to give up her love for Child Care.  The doctors told her she simply cannot expose herself to illnesses, as she does in a profession she's loved for over 20 years, her immune system will  be too weak once she starts treatments.  Both Neil and Jess have shown strength I've never seen before, all while trying to grasp at what's left of life as they knew it.  They want nothing more than to hold on to the time they have left, and enjoy it, with their three boys and the rest of their extended family and friends. 

Neil is working when he isn't taking Jess to appointments, but he is determined to be by his wife's side as she endures the difficult treatments.   We have created this site to ease the stress of filling in worried family and friends on an exponential level.  We are hoping that their time left together, is just that...together.   Never hesitate to drop them a note/text or call, or send them your love, but we will update CaringBridge every couple of weeks or so on Jess's status as she faces what we would all deem unimaginable.  Jess and Neil are forever grateful for the outpouring of love and support.

Newest Update

Journal entry by Erin Nash

It is with extremely heavy hearts we post that Jess has succumbed to her Cancer.

Jessica’s Story:

Jessica Ann Nash arrived at her eternal resting place on December 1st, 2021.  Jess resided in Wellington, Colorado with her husband Neil Nash and their three sons, Brandon, Matthew, and Nathan.

Jessica Ann Alderman was born to Kathy Kinsey and Bob Alderman on December 8th, 1974 in Denver, CO.  She spent much of her childhood making fond memories with her brother Jeremy in Aurora, and then Lakewood, graduating from Lakewood High School in 1994.  After graduation, Jess attended Red Rocks Community College pursuing a career in Early Childhood Education.

In 1997 Jess moved to Grand Junction to be closer to her family where she met a kind young man who was landscaping her Aunt and Uncle’s house.   Neil and Jess’s romance grew quickly, and they married July 13th, 1998.

Neil and Jess started their life together in Palisade, CO.   Jess continued her love for Early Childhood Education by operating an in-home daycare which allowed her the flexibility to be there for the every need of their three boys.

In 2018 Neil and Jess purchased a home in Wellington, CO to be closer to their Northern Colorado family.  With the boys now older, Jess’s vast experience afforded her employment at The Goddard School in Fort Collins, where she worked in the infant room.  

Throughout her all too short, but fulfilling life, Jess truly loved being a Mother.  She cherished many family moments with Neil and the boys, as well as extended family, her fondest memories being the many camping trips the family embarked on, campfires, fishin’ with the boys, and watching them shoot soda cans with BB guns.  As the boys began to pursue sports and other activities, Jess was the ultimate Soccer Mom!  She never missed a game, or a band concert, or a derby car race.  She zipped around to many soccer practices, even some football and basketball practices; she assisted at a multitude of school events, as well as Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts Meetings, and even served as a Den Leader for some time.  Jessica’s true passion was her family.

Jessica loved flowers and she looked forward to every Spring when she and Neil would fill their containers with flowers.  She loved to tend to the iris and the roses in her landscape with her roses being the envy of the neighborhood.

Jess and Neil always worked to make every Holiday special in their own way, decorating for most, but Halloween and Christmas being her favorite with intense displays.  Jess loved the family gathering brought by Thanksgiving, and even though she lived very simply, she was the ultimate Black Friday shopper.    

On March 4th 2021, after seeking medical attention for a persistent lower back pain, Jessica received a diagnosis of Stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer with a terminal prognosis.  Her first CT scan showed tumors had metastasized.  This devastating news did not crush Jess’s spirit.  She took her prognosis head on, ready to fight for every future breath.  During her treatments, Jess was strong as nails and unyielding to her cancer, she never showed that inside she was terrified.  Her favorite moment at the treatment center was to hear people ring the bell when they won their battle against cancer.  Jess would say, ‘I’m gonna ring that bell!’

Jessica spent her last days going on a drive with Neil to see Christmas lights, enjoying a huge family Thanksgiving, venturing to Scheels with her mom, brother and boys for Black Friday shopping, setting up her extensive Christmas Village display down the hallway, and even getting a family picture on the front porch as a crusade of family members put up their outdoor Christmas decorations.
Jess’s family is comforted in knowing that her toughest days were minimal.   It wasn’t until the day she entered hospice care, on November 29th, that she told Neil she had fought all she could fight.  She fought her hardest to get past November 30th to not leave on Matthew’s Birthday… a true Mother still giving her all for her kids till the end.  After her intense but valiant battle against Cancer, Jess took her last breath on Earth, December 1st at 12:46a, peacefully at home, with Neil close by her side holding her hand.

All who knew Jessica and the battle she ensued has found an intense feeling of peace and solace knowing that she is no longer in pain and in the arms of the Lord our Saviour.

Jessica is survived by Neil, her husband of nearly 24 years, sons Brandon - 22, Matthew - 20, and Nathan - 15;  her mother Kathy and brother Jeremy; uncles Gene and Pat and grandmother Betty.  Jess is dearly missed by a slew of loving in-laws, nieces, nephews and cousins; as well as many old and new friends who feel an incredible void but know it’s only temporary until we can hold her again.  

Jessica was a simple, beautiful soul.  She never expected a thing, never judged others, and never fretted about what she didn’t have.  Jess was a true ‘giver’ who lived to be there for her boys, with her passion spilling over to the hundreds of lives she touched by helping raise children other than just her own.  Jess never let Cancer define her, or change her plan in life.   Jess’s strength was truly unsurpassable. 

We wish to extend our thanks to the outpouring of love and support, the thoughts and prayers, the meals and assistance.  Our sincere gratitude to the incredible people at UCHealth Cancer Center, Pathways, and Goes Funeral Home.  Without you all, our ability to lift Jessica and her family up, would have been impossible.  

It was Jessica’s request that her family and friends have a gathering in celebration of her life.  Please join us for a casual Celebration Open House, on Sunday December 12, 2021, from 2-4pm.  6415 North Highway 1, Wellington, CO 80549.

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