Jenny Louise Giboney
April 7, 1976 - July 12, 2002
Obituary
Jenny L. GIBONEY
Jenny was born April 7, 1976 in Burien and passed away peacefully July 12, 2002. Beloved daughter of Richard Giboney; sister of Brian and Brett Charity Giboney; and loved by her grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and many, many friends. Jenny was preceded in death by her beloved mother, Julie. Service 12:00 Noon, Monday, July 22, 2002 at Bonney-Watson, Washington Memorial, 16445 Pacific Highway S, SeaTac.
Jenny attended Seahurst Elementary, Sylvester Middle School, and graduated from Highline High School in 1994. She was born with a birth defect called ”Spina Biffida”, however her paralysis did not limit her. In 1995, she traveled on her own to Paris, France to visit a friend. Her travels also included San Francisco, Hawaii, and Canada. She held a job at a prominent software company, drove a hand controlled car and was known as someone who did not complain despite her limitations. She was a loving and courageous example for us all.
I did not know Jenny, but a soul like her’s will be missed by this world.
To those of you that miss her so deeply I’d like to share this “Beautiful Prayer” that has helped me deal with the daily sadness of the loss of someone I love.
I asked God to take away my pain.
God said, No.
It is not for me to take away,
but for you to give it up.
I asked God to make my handicapped child whole.
God said, No.
Her spirit is whole,
her body is only temporary.
I asked God to grant me patience.
God said, No.
Patience is a byproduct of tribulations;
it isn’t granted, it is learned.
I asked God to give me happiness. God said, No.
I give you blessings.
Happiness is up to you.
I asked God to spare me pain.
God said, No.
Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares
and brings you closer to me.
I asked God to make my spirit grow.
God said, No.
You must grow on your own,
but I will prune you to make you fruitful.
I asked God for all things that I might enjoy life.
God said, No.
I will give you life,
so that you may enjoy all things.
I asked God to help me LOVE others as much as He loves me.
God said…Ahhhh, finally you have the idea.
May God Bless You,
“To the world you might be one person,
But to one person you just might be the world.”
Jenny, rest in peace knowing that you were dearly loved here on earth.
Jenny, we will miss you more then words or tears can show. May we meet each other when the circle begins again.
Love
The Longs
Jen, I’ll miss our fun times and all the funny things we did together. I know I will see you again someday. You were an angel on earth as you are in heaven. Love you sweety.
Jenny was one of my dearest friends and there are no words to fully express just how much I will miss her. She was a beautiful soul who never failed to make me smile, laugh, and feel loved. I’m a better person for having known her, and I’ll carry the memories of time spent with her for as long as I live. I know we’ll see each other again some day, but until then, I feel truly blessed knowing I have a guardian angel like Jenny looking out for me. I love you, Pretty. Give my mom a hug for me.
Jenny,
Although we only knew you for a short time. You helped us realize our failings as people and acceptance of them. Thank you for what you have done for our family.
You will be missed.
The Lowerys
Ed, Katie, Ava, Richard and Sylvia.
My deepest sympathies to the Giboney Family. Jenny was such a wonderful person and friend. I am very greatful that I was able to be one of her many friend for so long and to share many memories. Jen I’m going to miss you so much. I know you are going to make a beautiful guardian angel.
I will always hold my sweet memories of Jenny dear close to me, she will always be with all of her family and friends through those memories we hold dear to us. Jenny was the sweetest person I’ve ever known, one day we shall meet again. All of my sympathies to the Giboney family for their loss, please know she will never be forgotten. Love you, Jenny.
It isn’t too often someone like Jenny comes along. Someone who can make you smile even when you really don’t want to, someone who embodies the idea of a clouds silver lining. You brought such joy to the lives you touched in your short time with us. You will not be forgotten my dear.
Jenny,
I will forever cherish the many fun times that we had. Heaven is a much better place with you in there now…I will miss you Jenny.
With Love
Otto
Very few people will touch your life and leave such an imprint that it is carried throught it. Jenny was one of those people. She taught me to look at life as it is ment to be looked at. We shared many memories with laughter and happiness. She will be greatly missed and I know that her life was special and she will be cherished forever.
I only met Jenny once, but learned much about her and the day-to-day happenings in her life through her brother, Brian.
In spite of her disability, she dated and worked and strived to live a “normal” life.
Her passing away is indeed tragic and she will no doubt be missed by many people.
Personally, Jenny has become an inspiration for me, because she managed her disability, and pressed on making the most of her life. We should all be so brave!
My deepest condolences and blessings to the Giboney Family and Jenny’s friends.
S.W.
Jenny, you always made me smile, no matter what. I can imagine you’re in heaven watching all of us now. You are missed more than I think any of us can express into words. Miss you tons Sweetie.
Jen, I will always remember the fun times you and Nurit shared and how we would all laugh together. You taught us all how to be brave, strong, and gracious with your bodacious attitude. I will miss you, sweetie.
Jenny will be missed, she was a bright star on Earth, now she is a bright star in Heaven. You will be missed, but your memories live on, in all that have known you.
Jenny, I will always remember your sweet smile and friendly, cheerful attitude. I am so glad that through the years we got to become friends and share so many fun memories. I will never forget you and I will miss you. I rejoice that you are in heaven now and I know we will be together again someday.
My sympathy goes to all the rest of the Giboney family and Jenny’s friends.
I love you Jenny!
I went to Seahurst elementary school with Jenny. My family moved to Chicago in fifth grade, but she was always a doll to me. She will be missed.
Goodbye Jenny. You were taken from us far too early. But even at the age of 26, you had touched so many lives. You had hundreds and hundreds of people praying for you … and, in many ways, their prayers were answered. You are now home with your mom who was taken from you at a young age. You can no longer feel pain…only love.
You will be missed. I feel bad that my youngest son will never get to know you except through our memories. And he will know his Aunt Jenny through those memories… But, God called you home… and you answered.
My wife is Christy Miller Dow who has been friends with Jenny for a long time. I was honored that Jenny was able to be her maid of honor at our wedding… there was no better choice.
We love you Jenny. Farewell.
Here is a song that has been stuck in my head yes, he’s my favorite singer anyhow…You could even replace the name in the song Leesha to Jenny and it would work…
I HEAR LEESHA
by Michael W Smith
Seems like it was only yesterday
She was living hear
Yea, she was living here
Lord knows why He’s taken her away
It isn’t very clear, no it isn’t very clear
Into every life a little rain must fall
And losing one you love is like a storm
But storms are passing
Chorus
I hear Leesha
Singing in heaven tonight
And in between the sadness
I hear Leesha
Telling me that she’s alright
Life goes on even after life
That’s what I believe
Yea, that’s what I believe
Leesha’s gone, but she will still survive
In a memory that I’m keeping here with me
Silencing the voice of mortal tragedy
Listening to whispers of the soul
All is peaceful
Chorus
Jenny and i shared both our 18th birthdays together. She was a huge inspiration to me at the beginning of my adult life…A sparkling, dedicated friend. I will miss her.
Jenny you were an inspiration to so many people you met in your short but full life! To your family you were cherished and admired for your courage and your love of life! You overcame so many hardships, but you always had time for others with a smile and something up-beat to say! We love you very much and will miss you more than you know! We know you are with Julie and together you are looking over us…smile down on us for some day we will see you again! Love Tom and Connie
Dear Jen
Saying goodbye is not always easy. We know our son loved you very much. Our beloved Fubie, passed away today, so if you see him, take a walk with him, or just let him set on your lap. Love Mike and Becky
It’s difficult to express just how much you mean to me. You tought me about courage and what it means to be family. I miss and love you.
I know that she will be missed by all.
Jenny Giboney was a remarkably talented and amazing testimony to what is beautiful and right with living life to the fullest. It is heartwarming and comforting to read the memorials posted from her friends and relatives. Despite what would seem like enormous obstacles to most of us, Jenny remained positive about what she could do: traveling, making people laugh and loving her family and friends. She was brave, courageous and highly spirited. Ed and I remember Jenny enjoying the beach at Three Tree Point climbing over logs searching for special rocks and shells.
Ed joins me in keeping Richard, Brian, Brett and the entire Giboney family in our hearts and prayers. I hope it helps you to know that we cared deeply for someone who meant so much to you. God Bless. Lora Giboney
I can still hear her laugh in my ears…what a great sound…She was a long time friend and I miss her horribly, but I know she is much happier now in heaven looking down at us all. I look forward to the day I will see her again.
You will be missed, my friend. I will always remember.
Dear Jenny,
I miss you dearly. You have been and continue to be the best sister a brother could ever
ask for. Your love was and continues to be unconditional. No matter what choices I have
made in life – you loved me.
Your life was full of many ups and downs and yet you have been happy. Despite your
physical limitations, you smiled more than most on this planet – a true example for us all.
I am so thankful that we grew closer with each passing day since you came home from
San Fransisco. I loved you the day you were born, throughout your life, the day we held
hands as you passed away, and will continue to do so until the end of time.
I will never be the same without you.
Love Your Big Brother,
Brian
P.S. Please tell mom that I miss her and love her too.
Dearest Jenny:
I miss you so very much. I hold you close to my heart.
With all of our wonderful memories and times we shared
I will always remember are road trips that we loved to take.
Jen you were such a big inspiration in my life as well as others. You had a wonderful sprit and were so passionate about life.
Jenny I cannot express how much I am going to miss you. I can see you smiling down at all of us. You and your mom.. You have such a beautiful smile and a warm heart. One that is going to be missed so very much..
You are now our angle watching over all of us. We will all miss you so very much we hold you tight in our heats with all of our memories of you. Jenny this seems like a good bye but it’s not.
It’s just, till we meet again. I love you Jenny.
With all my love in the world
Karla and Dave L…
xoxo
Jenny, are you comfortable?
I wish we could have spent more time together; The very limited time we knew each other left an impact on me that will never go away. Never had I met someone so kind spirited, with so much love to give, so beautiful inside and out. Anyone else I wouldn’t remember their name/face, but you truly are special, and a part of you will exist indelably in my heart.
May God make sure you’re comfortable for me. :
Jenny was one of the strongest people that I have ever met. She always had the ability to tell it like it is, that is why I will greatly miss her advice and wisdom. She didn’t always tell you what you wanted to hear…but she was always right.
Even though Jenny was taken from us at such a young age, she still impacted many, many people…and will continue to impact my life forever. I am comforted in the thought that she is now joined with her mother again.
Jenny, you are missed greatly and loved by many. I know that I will see you again.
Jenny will be deeply missed by all. We can only imagine the stories she is sharing with her mom about her trips and activities shared with her brothers and dad. God
Bless each and everyone!
Tom, Dianna, Carie, Chris, Ryan, and Amber
I love you Jenny! I have always been proud of you and the way you dealt with
challenges without complaining. You were born with a smile on your face and contributed to putting smiles on the faces of many others.
I remember driving you to Children’s Ortthopedic Hospital accompanied by a nurse to see the head of the birth defects clinic. I remember picking you up from kindergarten every day. I rememeber going to all the Father Daughter Teas at high school and how proud I was when you were elected vice president of the sophomore class in 1991. I appreciated your opinion on the clothes I should wear and how I should get my hair cut, you had great taste.
I will think of you everyday of my life and miss you everyday of my life!
I love you Jenny!
Dad
As I sat up trying to find the words to express how much Jenny Meant to the people around her, I realized that it was an impossible task. Words cannot begin to evocate the beauty, strength and grace in Jenny’s Soul.
I knew Jenny about 6 years. In that time I got to meet and got to know most of you here today, if not by person, then by Jenny’s kind words. She loved you all dearly and she would not want this to be a sad occasion, She would not want us to cry for her, she would want us to be happy. Happy that she lived a good and a full life, a life of happiness and a life that made a difference and warmed all it touched.
Jenny was a huge part of my life. She gave me unconditional love and support. She encouraged me to be a better man, and through her love my life will be more than it could have ever been without her. Her strength helped us make it through the worst of times, and her laughter was the icing on the best of our times.
The image most of us have of Jenny as a happy-go-lucky person is for the most part accurate, but also deceptive. She hid her pains and fears from those around her, yet managed to never hide her happiness and joy. She bore burdens that can break a persons spirit, yet managed to come out clean on the other side. The loss of her mother left a great and heavy scar, one from which she never fully recovered. It left her with the daunting challenge of learning to become a woman without the guidance and love of her mother.
She spoke often of her mother and how she wanted nothing more than to be back in her arms. She spoke often of the good times with her brothers, her father, and all her family. She spoke often of her friends and the great times they had together.
And what fun we had. SeaFair on the boat, the 4ths of July at her dads, camping trips to the dunes, late nights at Minnies or the Hurricane, weekend mornings with her family. This was when Jenny was at her best, and this is how I will always remember her.
Jenny and I had spoken of her mortality. She was comfortable with the reality that she would not live to an old age. What pained her most was that she knew she would never experience the joy of having and raising children, this made the time she got to spend with her niece, nephew, and cousins even more precious to her.
She said she was amazed to see twenty and that she never imagined she would make it that far. To make it to 25, and then 26, was nothing short of a miracle to her. The fact that she was upbeat about such a grim reality speaks volumes on how remarkably strong she really was.
Jenny if you are listening here today, and I know you are. I want you to know how much I love you, we all do. I want you to know how beautiful you were to me, how wonderful you were to everybody. I will miss you more than you can know, and I will forever cherish our time together and the love we shared.
I love you Jenny.
Jenny, It has been almost 10 years now. Life has carried on, but we all still think of you every day. I feel so blessed to have known you. From day one you made me and Kailee feel welcome. If it wasn’t for you and your advise, I really don’t know if Brett would have taken a chance on me. Thank you for all you have given me, Brett and our 2 children.