Jesse Update - RV-Dreams Community Forum

LeO · RV-Dreams Community Member

RE: Jesse Update

WestWardHo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Yes, LeO it is. There is an ad in the classifieds section.

Sherry

PIEERE · RV-Dreams Family Member

Praying and wishing you and Jesse the best!

WestWardHo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Dear Friends,

Jesse passed peacefully last night. He kept his inspirational humor, courage, strength to the end.
ALS is not called "The worst death in medicine" without reason, it's a horrible disease. He lost every single ability to communicate or move at the end but he was still my sweet Jesse.

Sherry

Bobc · RV-Dreams Family Member

So sorry for your Loss Sherry.

I am sure there is some relief that Jesse is no longer suffering and can now be at peace.

BiggarView · RV-Dreams Family Member

Please accept our condolences and best wishes for you and your family. We only met you for a short time, but we will cherish that time and the gift of your time and knowledge fortified our dream. From that encounter and this forum and through FB, we have come to know and love you both. Jesse's courage and grace in the face of it all is inspiring. Your strength of character though all this is to be commended and honored. He will be remembered by us as long as we take a breath. Even though we knew what was coming, it still is hard to imagine it.

Brian & Cindi

-- Edited by biggaRView on Monday 5th of October 2015 10:55:58 AM

Bill and Linda · RV-Dreams Family Member

'Knowing of things not posted by Sherry:

During the time of Jesse’s affliction Sherry demonstrated in the most tangible ways possible the meaning of the vow: “. . . in sickness and in health, till death do us part.”

Jesse’s humor throughout this ordeal and Sherry’s unfailing care and loyalty to him does not go unnoticed by their friends.

Bill and Linda

bjoyce · RV-Dreams Family Member

So sad to hear. But expected. Jesse was a special person and we will miss him.

The Restless Youngs · RV-Dreams Family Member

So sorry Sherry....our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I know it's been a rough couple of years, but you as well as Jesse have been an inspiration through this. Be proud that you did everything possible to make his time the best it could be!!

Fergizmo · RV-Dreams Family Member

So sorry for your loss. RIP Jesse. You are missed.

Judy L · RV-Dreams Family Member

Sherry - So sorry for your loss. Wish we had gotten to know him. He sounds like one heck of a guy.

Camper Chronicles · RV-Dreams Family Member

Oh Sherry I am so so sorry. He really was a wonderful man and I am so glad we got to meet him if even for such a short time. If we can take anything from such a terrible loss, it is as you say, make the most of every moment because you never know how long you will have. I also wanted to say I think you have been an absolutely amazing care giver for him in these last few months. He was truly blessed to have you by his side.

Trace

TRAILERKING · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thoughts and prayers go out to the family. The good thing was at least you had some time to travel around. He will not suffer no more.

el Rojo and Pam · RV-Dreams Family Member

Sherry, we are so sorry for your loss. Jesse will be missed to no end. I am proud to have called him a friend. He was very blessed to have you by his side. Pam's and my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Red and Pam

-- Edited by el Rojo and Pam on Monday 5th of October 2015 04:49:06 PM

AZbillsfan · RV-Dreams Community Member

Very sorry to hear of your loss. We never met, but I followed your journey here and feel like I knew you.

NWescapee · RV-Dreams Family Member

Sherry - so sorry, he will be so missed. Both of you have provided so much inspiration for those of us who know you and have watched the progression of this awful disease.

Dale and I are thinking of you, if there's anything we can do, please don't hesitate to call, can't wait to see you in person in November, until then virtual hugs heading your way.

Ruth

Hdrider · RV-Dreams Family Member

We are sorry to hear this and our thoughts are with you.

Jo And Craig · RV-Dreams Family Member

Sherry, we are so very sorry for your loss. It was a privilege to have met you both, and your love story has inspired us all. You have been an incredible caregiver and for that you should have no regrets. I will NEVER forget Jesse in that Hawaiian shirt, kilt/skirt, cowboy hat and boots, topped off with white knee-high socks. What a hoot! He will be sorely missed. May our Heavenly Father wrap His loving arms around you and bless you with peace beyond all understanding. Hugs!

jrzygrl64 · RV-Dreams Family Member

Bill and I would like to add our condolences to the others shared here. We only spent a brief moment in time together, but you were both such special people, it still left a deep impression on us. Your love and laughter together will never be forgotten. May your happy memories be a comfort to you during this difficult time.
We will keep you and your family in our thoughts and prayers! Hugs!

TheNewhalls · RV-Dreams Family Member

So sorry for your Loss Sherry. Our thoughts are with you. RIP Jesse.

dianneandsteve · RV-Dreams Family Member

Sherry we are so sorry to hear of Jesse's passing. We are so glad we had the opportunity to visit and share a few brews and laughs with you both last fall. We will never forget Jesse's continued sense of humour and your strength. You both have truly been an inspiration. Our thoughts are with you and your family Sherry. RIP Jesse.

PIEERE · RV-Dreams Family Member

RIP Jesse! Sherry; what an inspiration for me as he held on; my condolences to you and yours. Please come back on this forum as you will always be a big part of this RV family. You both touched my heart!

Jake62 · RV-Dreams Family Member

Cindy & I are sorry for your loss. Our prayers will be with your & your family during this season of sorrow.

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Jo and I both extend our thoughts and prayers to you, Sherry. They also go to your entire family. The loss of someone like Jesse is always going to be hard.

Bless you for your love and dedication to him.

And, I agree. Please keep in touch as you've both touched so many lives here, and I'm sure many will still want to hear from you.

Love you.

Terry and Jo Miller

PJ Vagabond · RV-Dreams Community Member

As a retired medical professional (Clinical Laboratory Scientist) with 30+ years experience, I stand in awe of the meticulous, methodical, continual, tender, loving care given to my oldest brother by his gift-from-God wife, Sherry. NO ONE could have received better care over the last years than he did. She is beautiful, inside and out, and I'm proud to call her family. She cared for him, not just physically, but emotionally, mentally, and spiritually, she is one of the most loving people I have even known. Thank you for taking such good care of my brother!! (Plus she made his eyes twinkle!!!)

I hope to meet some of you in person in the coming years, as I will be getting mobile again in the future. Maybe at a meeting/conference (I just signed up for the spring rally, 2016!)
.

-- Edited by PJ Vagabond on Tuesday 6th of October 2015 05:07:09 PM

-- Edited by PJ Vagabond on Wednesday 7th of October 2015 08:31:31 PM

cherylbrv · RV-Dreams Family Member

Sherry, I am so saddened to hear about this. Although I never met you and Jesse in person, I feel like I've come to know you both very well through all that you've shared. I've always admired your mutual love and care for each other, and especially admired Jesse's sense of humor despite the circumstances. You are an inspiration to many people and I pray for your comfort and strength through this difficult time.

PD CFK · RV-Dreams Family Member

Sherry, you and Jesse have been in my nightly prayers for months. Although it was expected, it is still sad to hear of his passing. Thank you for sharing your path with us on this forum. May God be with you at this time, and always. Pat & Charlie

WestWardHo · RV-Dreams Family Member

We are so blessed with the love, support & prayers of our RV-Dreams family. I've been so touched over time by the messages on FaceBook, emails and on here. Pieere would regularly send PM's inquiring how he as doing. Dale and Ruth kept in regular touch and have been amazing support. So many posted supportive loving messages on here.

What you don't know: is that even in death, he donated his brain and spinal cord along with his medical records to an ALS Brain Repository in Boston to help in ALS research anywhere in the world. That Bill and Linda Napier offered to fly to New England and drive the Truck and RV back last summer if he needed to get back sooner from visiting his family. And they were in the area last week hoping to visit us both but Jesse needed no more visitors at that time. That when Pam and Red (we fell in love on the forum and met in Sieverville) and Steve and Dianne and Dale and Ruth came last fall and we were having a little party one evening and Jesse fell on his face as he tried to get up and go to the bathroom which greatly concerned them all, but we had so many laughs. That PJVagabond, his sister was here for 10 months assisting in his care and giving me time to rest and sharing photos and memories with her beloved brother. That his brother, Mike was here for the last month helping with the heavy lifting. He has been surrounded with loving visits from family and friends from all over the country. That even though he could barely talk he assisted an 80+ year old Cottonwood Vet recently diagnosed with ALS on how to get what he needed thru the VA. That he was one of the smiling helpful ones at the ALS support group until he could no longer go.

What an amazing, loving family Howard & Linda have created for us all.

With love and gratitude,
Sherry

marianne57 · RV-Dreams Family Member

Sherry, as so many here have expressed condolences, Barry and I too are so sorry for your loss. We didn't know Jesse long either but what a great couple you both were to us and you and your family are sincerely in our prayers. He was a blessed man to have you by his side. Take care and we will keep you in our thoughts and prayers in the days ahead.

NWescapee · RV-Dreams Family Member

Hey folks, just thought I would share this from Sherry's Facebook page, because, as she so eloquently states, Sherry and Jesse would not have asked. They never thought of asking, they were just kind, giving people. I'm sure Sherry has had many requests to honor Jesse.

From Sherry's Facebook page:

Jesse H Collins, nor I would ever have asked but friends and family have inquired where they can send a donation in his name. The Phoenix chapter of ALS organization was very helpful to Jesse, loaning equipment and just general support. He liked that they helped non-veterans as well with respite, expensive equipment, respite, advice, etc. Attention Kim Hughes.
Webaz.alsa.org veterans get a lot of support but the majority of ALS patients are on their own.
www.alsa.org/

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thanks, Ruth.

For those of us who refuse to use "Farcebook," we'd likely have never seen that message.

Terry

PJ Vagabond · RV-Dreams Community Member

Picture of Jesse in his kilt, cowboy boots from the rally, would be greatly appreciated is someone has a copy they could send/post to Sherry or I or post on Facebook. Thanks!!

NWescapee · RV-Dreams Family Member

PJ & Sherry, I think you can contact Trace for a picture, it's on her blog.

camperchronicles.com/2014/05/04/finish-of-the-rally-and-taking-a-day-off/

Howard had a picture of the hat on his blog:

www.rv-dreams-journal.com/2014/05/page/3/

Ruth

PJ Vagabond · RV-Dreams Community Member

Thanks,found them, appreciate it!

Linda · Hostess

I think this is the picture you were requesting! We love and miss you Jesse!!!!!

Ann-Hank · RV-Dreams Family Member

Sherry, I have not been on RV Dreams in a long time....very poor cell coverage where we were. We are so saddened to hear of the passing of Jesse. He was such an inspiration to everyone on how to live and truly enjoy life. He was a true tower of strength and was so lucky to have had such a strong loving partner by his side.
Hugs Ann & Hank

-- Edited by Ann-Hank on Saturday 7th of November 2015 02:43:17 PM