Jamie Lynn (Selman) Bliss |
| Posted 2009-07-05 by Judy Wight Branson |
| The Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona Saturday, June 27, 2009 Jamie Lynn Selman Bliss, 33, from Prescott, Ariz., lost her heroic battle with cystic fibrosis May 25, 2009. After an extended stay at Good Samaritan Hospital in Phoenix, Ariz., Jamie passed away with a large number of family and friends at her side. Jamie was born March 27, 1976, in Cincinnati, Ohio, to Karen and Steve Selman. Shortly thereafter, she was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, a genetic and fatal disease that attacks the lungs, and digestive system. She was the first of two loving daughters, and was best friends with her younger sister, Julie. As a teenager, Jamie was diagnosed with a brain tumor for which she had surgery. She feared for her survival at that time, and further learned to appreciate each and every day. She came through that difficult time with a lot of courage. Jamie lived her life to its absolute fullest, cherishing every day. She loved learning and experiencing new things from an early age, though she usually let her sister go first! She liked to figure out the safest avenue before diving into anything. She was a gymnast for a number of years, until she started high school, where she transferred those skills to cheerleading. Jamie graduated from Prescott High School in 1994 and then went on to graduate magna cum laude from NAU, with a bachelor's of science in nursing, and a bachelor's of science in psychology in 2000. She moved with her sister to San Diego in 2000, where she met her future husband, Michael Bliss II. While in San Diego she discovered a love of cooking that led to her supreme culinary skills. There was little Jamie wasn't able to achieve once she set her mind to it. She was married to Mike in Maui July 26, 2003, and spent a couple of years in Atlanta, Ga., while Mike worked on his MBA. They moved back to Phoenix as soon as Mike graduated. She and Mike adopted Jack, their lab mix pup, shortly after moving here, and he remained her companion throughout this past year as she struggled with her disease. Three and a half years ago, Jamie's health was once again challenged as she had to have open-heart surgery to have a valve replaced. And, again, she came through the surgery strong. Her strength and endurance through all of these challenges as well as those of day-to-day life have astounded many throughout her short life. Jamie had an uncanny ability to bring out the best in people and make them aware that friends and family should never be taken for granted. She last worked as an OB nurse at Arrowhead Hospital and became a neonatal instructor for parents-to-be. She also became certified as a lactation consultant. She was responsible for any number of people realizing that "life is short, so enjoy every day as much as you can." She was often called "an old soul in a young, beautiful body." Jamie was able to find humor in nearly any situation and often had a way of making people laugh with her, even in very difficult times. She was unbelievably strong in spirit, character and endurance. Even though she became extremely trapped and debilitated by her disease, she strived to enjoy every day as much as possible for the past year. She never felt sorry for herself or quit doing everything she could to get better. Jamie remained optimistic and strong of spirit throughout her struggle. Her greatest sorrow was losing the ability to cook, be outside, enjoy walking, hiking, snorkeling in Maui, seeing sea turtles, going to dinner, traveling and visiting family and friends, even working. She never wanted not to be able to contribute to taking care of herself, her husband, her family and pets. For several years she was active in the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, even co-chairing the local Great Strides Walk for a number of years. She was ever optimistic that a cure would be found. Her passing has left a very empty spot in the hearts of a large number of people, whose lives she touched in some way. Jamie spent her last year living in Prescott. She is survived by her husband, Michael J. Bliss, II; her sister, Julie Selman; her parents, Karen and Steve Selman; her maternal grandmother, Valena Rhea; and her extended family in-laws, Maurice and Michael Bliss, Diane Bliss, Vicki Robb, Liz and Erik Franks, Hunter Bliss and Allison Pickus, Desiree Bliss and Ann Miller. Jamie is also survived by a number of extremely close friends, which are too numerous to list, whom she considered family; along with several aunts, uncles, cousins, and her ever-loving dog, Jack. A celebration memorial of Jamie's life will be July 25, 2009, at the home of her parents, Karen and Steve Selman, 1090 W. O'Neal Road, Prescott, Ariz. It will be an open house from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can drop in and stay however long you want. Call 928-776-0135, 928-710-3821 or 928-713-9035 for more information or directions. In lieu of gifts or flowers, Jamie's family would appreciate donations made in Jamie's name to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, 3800 N. Central Ave., Suite 700, Phoenix AZ 85012; Phone: (602) 224-0068; Fax: (602) 224-0432; arizona@cff.org. Jamie's family would like to extend special thanks and much love and appreciation to those friends and family who helped keep Jamie entertained and happy with games, visits and conversation these past difficult months: her Aunt Linda, Uncle Michael and cousins Kelly, Matthew and Andrew Lehman; cousin David Rhea; Mary Jo and Tristan Muller; Mary Dashnaw and her parents Mary and Rod Dashnaw; Beth McDaniel, Kiki Riley and Elisa Walsh. We also wish to extend special thanks to the doctors, nurses, respiratory therapists and other staff of the eighth and 11th floors of Banner Good Samaritan Hospital in Phoenix for the special care, attention and sensitivity they demonstrated to Jamie and all of us during these past difficult months. We have been deeply touched by all the outpouring of sympathy and support from friends and family alike to help us get through this most difficult of times. Information provided by survivors. |
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