Jade Stidham, a beloved daughter, unfortunately died away on Tuesday morning in the intensive care unit at Bethesda North Hospital. It is common knowledge that she has been afflicted with the auto immune condition known as Guillain-Barré syndrome for the past year and a half currently. My daughter’s body was unable to cope with the infection that she received after this most recent recurrence because it was simply too much for her to take.
She is now at peace and no longer endures any agony or suffering; she now resides among the stars.
Because it occurred so suddenly, our family is in a state of profound sadness. Our hearts will never be the same again. Her mother and father, as well as her siblings and, most importantly, her young son, are all inconsolable. In order to fulfill her intrinsic capacity to motivate others and her enthusiasm for learning, Jade decided to pursue a career in education. This was the ideal profession for her.
She exemplified the qualities of a teacher in every sense of the term, not just in the classrooms where she fostered the development of young minds, but also in the manner in which she lived her life, exhibiting compassion, patience, and a passion for education that was contagious. A woman with a wide range of hobbies, Jade took pleasure in a variety of activities, including reading, fishing, watching movies, and doing crafts. A fan of the seaside and a person who is passionate about cooking.
According to the words of Maya Angelou, “My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.” The manner in which Jade approaches life is well encapsulated in this quote. Jade is survived by her grandparents, Hope and Larry Kelly; her step-grandparents, Rose and John Rogalla; her parental guardian and aunt, Lora Nehring; her sibling who is under guardianship, Kyle Nehring; and an assortment of her aunts and uncles, including Tommi Kenny, Christine (Jake) Caputo, Eric (Tara) Ohlendorf, Tom Dobbles, Paul (Jana Taylor) Rogalla, and Patrick (Brandy) Rogalla.
Her mother, Kimberly Kelly Rogalla, her stepfather, Richard Rogalla, her grandmother, Carol Kelly, and a collection of cherished animals all passed away before her. She was the last surviving member of her family. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Goodnight, Angel Jade Fund, which was established by her grandparents, Heather and Larry Kelly.
This Fund will be managed by the Starved Rock Country Community Foundation, and it will be used to provide financial assistance to local nonprofit organizations that are committed to finding answers and changing the lives of young people who are struggling with challenges related to mental health and substance misuse. The family will be the ones to publish the official obituary.
