Young Ammon mother of 5 dies following cancer battle
Published at | Updated at
AMMON — Jenny Bess, an “amazing friend, mother, wife and so much more,” died Saturday at her Ammon home surrounded by her husband and five young children.
The 38-year-old was diagnosed with stage four colon cancer in Sept. 2015, three months after delivering her fifth child.
“It was such fast growing. They don’t know when it started, but I had no idea and no symptoms,” Jenny told EastIdahoNews.com last April.
RELATED | YOUNG AMMON MOTHER OF 5 CLINGS TO FAITH WHILE BRAVELY BATTLING TERMINAL CANCER
Jenny started chemotherapy following her diagnosis and was undergoing treatment until earlier this month when she began hospice care. After informing family members and close friends, Jenny’s husband, John, announced her death on Facebook Saturday.
“After a valiant battle, Jenny has passed away this morning. We appreciate all the prayers, love and support,” John wrote. “Jenny’s journey was done here on earth and our Heavenly Father has called her home. We are heartbroken that she is gone but glad she is no longer suffering. We know that we will see her again and that she is loved.”
Over her 17 month cancer fight, Jenny maintained an optimistic attitude as she relied on her faith, family and friends. She frequently posted encouraging messages and personal insights on her Facebook page.
“I’m grateful for all that I’ve learned and experienced on the hardest journey that I’ve ever been on. Cancer sucks, but I’ve learned things I would not have been able to otherwise,” Jenny wrote Feb. 12.
Another post, dated Jan. 11, reads, “The day I give up hope is the day I lose faith in God…and that’s not going to happen!”
Jenny’s final message, written Feb. 17, simply reads, “I wish that I could THANK everyone personally!”
Jenny learned she had cancer after undergoing a colonoscopy following some unusual postpartum bleeding.
“As I was coming out of anesthesia, the doctor told me there was 90 percent chance that I had cancer,” Jenny said. “It was shocking.”
She shared her story with EastIdahoNews.com in hopes of educating others on the importance of colonoscopies.
Popular YouTube star Alex Boye heard about Jenny’s cancer fight and surprised her at a friend’s home last May. He sang some of his songs and gave her family tickets one of his concerts.
RELATED | LOCAL MOTHER BATTLING CANCER MOVED TO TEARS WHEN ALEX BOYE KNOCKS ON HER DOOR
John wishes to thank everyone for their support as his family prepares for Jenny’s funeral, which will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. at the LDS Church on Virlow Street in Ammon.
In a message written two days before Jenny’s death, John says his wife has a message for those she’s leaving behind.
“Jenny’s been receiving a lot of love and goodbyes from family and friends over the past few days,” John wrote. “She’s been thoroughly worried about her kids, a mother to the end. The last thing she wanted everyone to know is that she would like to thank them all personally. Soon she’ll return home to live with her Heavenly Father and our Saviour Jesus Christ. She’ll be missed here on earth but we know she’ll ever be watching over us from above.”
A donation account has been set up at Zions Bank to help with funeral costs and caring for the children. To donate, people can call or visit a Zions branch and request to donate to the Jennifer L. Bess donation account.