Jennifer "Honeybear" Killian

http://www.nwaonline.com/news/2012/feb/19/jennifer-killian/?obituaries 

 Jennifer's obituary from our hometown paper this morning. What a lovely tribute.

Ok, I think the link requires you to have a subscription & log in for the paper. So I'm just going to  copy the entire obit.

AUSTIN, Texas - Jennifer Killian (born March 27th, 1975) passed away Feb. 14, 2012. She was the only child of Luticia "Tish" Conder and Bruce Brown. She was the wife of Jacob Killian.

When Jennifer died, she was holding Jacob's hand and had a smile on her face. Those who knew her, loved her. Jennifer and her mother, Tish, were best friends. They spoke on the phone or in person every day, usually several times a day. Jennifer and her father, Bruce, traveled the world together. Alaska, Hawaii and Singapore were a few of their destinations.

She adored him and hung on his every word. They were also best friends.

Tish was tough enough to make nails jealous, wiser than any owl. Jennifer was very much her mother's daughter. Jennifer was first diagnosed with cancer in 2003. At the same time, Tish's cancer returned. Jennifer in Fayetteville, Tish in Texas, they underwent chemotherapy together.

While being treated, Jennifer was in the final semester of her Master's Degree in Mathematics at the University of Arkansas. In the face of overwhelming trials, Jennifer finished her degree, and soon she had no evidence of disease.

On a beautiful Jan. 6, 2006, three short months after meeting, Jennifer and Jacob eloped to Calico Rock, Ark. (legally). Spiritually, it was New Years Eve 2005 when, after a date to a fancy restaurant and a few weeks of talking about it, Jennifer and Jacob decided that if they were committed to marriage: "why wait?" They stopped the car in a big, empty, parking lot and exchanged their vows: "I will always love you."

Jennifer brought three dogs to the family, Jacob one. They shared a little bit of dog heaven on a bluff above Richland Creek in Goshen, Ark. They hiked to the top of Hare Mountain. They cooked together. They played chess. They sang silly songs to each other. They honeymooned.

Three months later, Jennifer's cancer returned. Just as her life was not defined by cancer, neither was her marriage. Five short years later, Jennifer and Jacob still honeymooned. And they will always love each other.

Jennifer was an educator. In spite of not feeling well, she worked late into the night six or seven days a week to prepare so she could do a great job for her students. While teaching full time, fighting insurance companies, treating her cancer, attending classes and studying for tests to complete her nontraditional teaching license, Jennifer always had a kind word, a sweet smile, and found time to volunteer. In short, Jennifer was not her cancer, she was nothing short of amazing. We will always love her.

Services will be held at Saint Paul's Episcopal Church in Fayetteville, Ark., on Saturday, March 10 at 11 a.m. Additional services will be held at the family cemetery in Powderly, Texas, on Sunday, March 4. Nelson-Berna Funeral Home handled the cremation arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, please do something nice for someone else. Memorial donations to HOPE Cancer Resources may be made at www.hopenwa.org or 479-361-5847.

I am so sorry to hear this.  Wonderful obituary, her vitality shines right through.

Rest in Peace, dear Jennifer.

I just read Jennifer's obituary. Thank you for the peek into this wonderful woman's life.    I mean we all could tell in this forum she was special.    Jacob, I am sure you miss her terribly.    Thoughts are with you.

Jennifer

Oh my God, how did I miss this...I cannot believe that "Honeybear" is gone.  I am so shocked and so saddened to hear this.  My thoughts and prayers for peace and comfort are with Jennifer's family.  She was certainly blessed with a loving family and a loving husband.  May she rest in peace and may we all learn from her contributions in this life and in fighting this terrible disease.

Cat

So very sad. My heartfelt sympathy to all those who knew and loved her. RIP Jennifer.

Jennifer.

We met many years ago. I worked with your Dad, Bruce. I watched you grow from a small child playing at Bull Creek in Austin into a lovely lady and a woman. Your time with us was short but your presence made an ever- lasting impression on everyone you touched.

John D.