Father of 5 relies on faith following death of young wife
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AMMON — When asked how he and his five children are doing, John Bess simply replies with one word:
“Surviving.”
One month ago, his wife, Jenny, died after an 18-month battle with stage 4 colon cancer. She was 38 years old and fought to the very end.
“Her kids were her reason for not giving up,” John says during a recent conversation in his living room. “If she just gave up and died, she would have left all our children, and she loved them very much.”
Jenny died Feb. 25 surrounded by John, her kids and her best friend.
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It was Sept. 2015 when Jenny had was experiencing some unusual postpartum bleeding following the birth of their fifth child. Her doctor suggested she undergo a colonoscopy, and that’s when tumors were discovered all throughout her body.
Despite enduring months of treatment and pain, Jenny tried to remain optimistic and faithful as she documented her cancer battle on her Facebook page.
“She needed to have a positive outlook,” John says. “There just wasn’t another option.”
The Bess children are adjusting to life without their mother.
She spent the past year and a half helping the family prepare for her death. Right before she died, Jenny kept each of the children home from school on different days for one-on-one time.
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John says he’s also learning how to be both mom and dad.
“We’re still kind of in that ‘just keep swimming’ mode,” John says. “Some days you’re just worn out at the end of the day, and it’s just you.”
John and his children are relying on their faith that they will be with Jenny again. There are reminders of her all throughout their home.
Even though it’s been an emotionally tough month, John says he’s thankful for all the help and support he has received from people all over the world.
“I’m just amazed by the kindness and warmth of everyone,” John says, holding back tears. “People have worried and wanted to know how we’re doing. It’s just so touching and I don’t know how to express gratitude for all of that.”