Comments and Pictures of Family and Friends of Jill Negaard
| My Husband Gordon |
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| Gordon and Jill with Peanut and Einstein |
From My Husband....Gordon
Hi, It’s sometimes hard to write about somebody when they are very close to you. Jill is my wife of
10 years. We met as a blind date set up by one of my best friend’s wife. When I started talking to her on the phone
the first time, I found she was such a pleasant person to talk to that we ended up talking for hours. We got married a year
and a half later. She has been my better half ever since. When we were first dating she told me about her heart condition.
She also told me that she would most likely need a heart transplant eventually. She was concerned because her condition meant
she would be at grave risk if she tried to have a baby. She was really concerned that I knew before we decided on what the
future would be. I knew it would be a severe undertaking but I also knew I had met someone who made me feel totally at ease
with her all the time. We made up for the lack of children by having our Westies (West Highland White Terriers, or maybe terrors),
they are very smart and very cute little dogs who give us great affection and enjoyment.
Years later when the reality of heart and lung transplant was brought out after a heart catherization, I
felt as if my perfect world was turned upside down. But through it all Jill has always shown a brave front. She can be stubborn
when she wants but that’s a good thing, since it is a major reason she has lived to this point. She has always been
easy for anyone to talk to. She can start up conversations with total strangers with great ease. She probably gets tired of
me wanting her to slow down and take things easy. I guess I can be overly concerned about her health. Many of our family and
friends have stepped up to help us since she has been placed on the transplant list at Cleveland Clinic.
When I was president
of the Bedford Jaycee’s and Jill was the secretary I can remember wanting to put her in for the ‘Wind Beneath
My Wings’ award. At the Michigan Jaycees conventions they would play the song ‘Wind Beneath My Wings’ by
Bette Midler while reading the reasons why the person you nominated was your hero. Jill did not want it because she didn’t
want people to feel sorry for her because of her health problems. But I can truly say she is my hero. My hero’s in my
life are my father, who tried to make me into a man, Jill’s father who fought in World War II for our country,
and Jill who has always shown a smile for all even in the face of adversity.
I want to thank everyone who has helped Jill,
as I said it is very hard to write about a loved one for the whole world to see. But if you ever get a chance to meet Jill
you would understand why she is the center of my world.
Gordon Negaard
| Sylvie Dapkus |
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| Sylvie, Todd and Alex at the Storm Fundraiser |
My Best Friend Sylvie
Jill is my oldest and dearest friend. It seems I have always known her. When
my family first moved to Ohio, we stayed with my grandmother who lived down the street from Jill and her family. I was
6 years old. Jill and my sister Sonnie were 7 years old.
My earliest memory of Jill is when we moved into our new
house. Jill carried in the footstool. I’m sure she carried in more, but that is the memory that stays in
my mind. Jill quickly became a ‘sister’ to Sonnie and I and the ‘other daughter’ to my parents.
We all love her like one of the family. Jill was always ‘the funny one” and has given me wonderful childhood
memories filled with laughter.
As we grew older, I came to realize just how very special
Jill is. Jill has always showed strength and courage. She has had many challenges in her life, always facing everything
with a positive attitude. Jill has been by my side through thick and thin, always there for me to share my joys and
sorrows. I am so lucky to have had Jill as my friend for the past 35 years.
Thank you, Jill, for being you, and for always being there
for me. I’ll always be there for you.
Sylvie Dapkus
| Gerry and Charlie Smith |
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| Gerry and Charlie, with Q-Tip and Crystal |
Gerry and Charlie Smith
As I think about Jill's friendship, it is hard for me just to tell you about just a couple of things about
her. Lots of nice things over the years come to mind. She is a person easy to like and she would go out of her way to help
someone. Jill is a person who loves life and it is wonderful to be around her. If my husband, Chuck, didn't know Jill, he
wouldn't be as sweet of a person without all the cakes she has made for him at Fermi.
We have two Westies from Jill and Gordie so we have a lot in common. Once when we went over she was helping
in the delivery of 7 puppies. I got to see six of these puppies enter the world in about three hours. The time spent that
day will always be a great memory for me. Chuck and I love Jill and Gordie and will always value their friendship.
Gerry Smith
| Polly Seggie |
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| My Mom |
From my mom....Polly Seggie
Jilly Bean.....It has always been a question in my mind. Who was the first to name her
"Jilly Bean"? I heard that name one evening when she was only a few weeks old. Her daddy was rocking her
as he loved to do with all of our children. He kissed her and whispered "You're my little Jilly Bean".
Then the phone rang, it was Nanny and Poppy calling. Poppy wanted to know how his "Jilly
Bean" was doing? That name again, was it a coincidence? At the same time? Maybe it was a keeper. And so
she became "Jilly Bean" to everyone.
Jill was in Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital so often, the nurses had a sign made
for her oxygen tent. Every time she was admitted, the Jilly Bean sign was put up. What a joy she was!
Her spirit and determination were contagious. And she would need it too. The road ahead was always impossible and often painful. She has proven herself from child to adult to be someone who can
face all obstacles. She concentrates on future possibilities and looks for them with a smile. Her cheerful
attitude shows a young woman with a zest for living and she is doing it well.
As to the question of who was the first, I guess her Daddy and Poppy had the same stroke
of love at the same time. Another joyful gift from our Lord.
Polly Seggie
| Joyce Kmetz |
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| My Aunt Joyce who is very close to me. |
From my Aunt.... Joyce Kmetz
By now Jill has pretty much outgrown her nickname of "Jilly Bean", but she will always
be Jilly to me. There are so many words to describe Jill.
Here are a few of my favorites: Her entire life has been a struggle for life, a challenge
she has met with courage, determination, compassion, loving and a sense of humor.
When my mom (Nanny) moved to Toledo in ill-health, Jill took over many of the things
that I was no longer able to do since I am in Cleveland. She fixed Mom's medicine, took her places, sat
and talked and visited with her and worried about her. She is always concerned for others.
I have been along on many of Jill's trips to the hospital. There are two that stand
out in my memory. On yet another trip to Rainbow for yet another Heart Catheterization, Jill was on the
table with a group of doctors crowded around her. She got that little grin on her face and said " Let the show begin". Another time she and her mom left Toledo for Cleveland and encountered a
blizzard. The turnpike was closed down, so after sleeping on the floor of the turnpike plaza they finally
made it to Cleveland. The next morning we all left for the hospital, but by this time the
blizzard had caught up to us. A trip that should have taken 20 minutes lasted about 3 1/2 hours. It was
a white knuckle ride, but Jill kept us laughing all the way.
Jill's heart may be damaged, but it is as big as the ocean. Oh Yeah, ask her some time
about the "Goor Little Poose".
Joyce Kmetz
From my mother-in-law Bea Negaard
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| Bea with her Grandson Nicky |
From my Father-in-Law Nick Negaard
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| Nick with Susan |
My sister Gerri Musser
My sister Laura Lea
My Brother John Seggie
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| left to right Kael and Kristin Nurphy, Susan and David Harley |
From my sister in law...Susan Harley
When I first heard that Jill was in my brother’s life about 12 year ago, I thought, "She must be pretty
special. Not every woman can handle him!" Meeting Jill confirmed my belief. I knew that theirs was a special relationship.
I had never seen Gordon so attentive and caring with another woman (except for his sisters and mother, of course!). Having
her come into his life (and ours) was a blessing. Jill has been a great addition to our family, and we thank God for her presence.
She is fun to be around, knows how to laugh, and has a big heart and generous spirit. Unfortunately, that big heart is really
being tested by its physical limitations. She desperately needs a new one to continue gracing our lives for a long time to
come.
Jill has lived with her condition for her whole life. Since she was born with a congenital heart condition,
the only cure for her was a potential organ transplant. As a result, she has taken good care of her body. For my brother,
it is a new, and scary, experience. However, his support and commitment to Jill is unwavering, and he is extremely involved
in every aspect of her condition, making sure she is taken care of. She is growing weaker and the time has come for her to
begin the transplant process. As you can imagine, this is a very anxious time for the Seggie and Negaard families. In my own
experience, my son and daughter, Andrew and Caroline, are constantly asking about Aunt Jill’s health, pray for her and
want her to get better soon. WE ALL DO!
Even in her current situation, she is not sitting back and waiting or feeling sorry for herself. She has
always been active in supporting others in the community. Now both she and Gordon are tirelessly promoting donor awareness.
They have taken her condition and turned it into a positive impact on others in similar circumstances. This is one more example
of her giving spirit. Please help spread the word about organ donation and the opportunity to give the gift of life, and keep
Jill and Gordon in your prayers.
My sister-in-law Robin (Negaard) Kerr
My brother in law Gary Negaard
My brother-in-law Galen Negaard
My sister-in-law Kristin (Negaard) Murphy
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| Kristin, her husband Kael and Bea |
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