Jennifer Sue Davis Nilson

So young I just don’t know

Why things happen half the time

Without reason without rhyme

Lovely, sweet young woman

Daughter, wife and mother

Makes no sense to me

I just have to believe

She flew up to Heaven on the wings of angels

By the clouds and stars and passed where no one sees

And she walks with Jesus and her loved ones waiting

And I know she’s smiling saying

Don’t worry ‘bout me.”

These words from “Sissy’s Song” recorded by Alan Jackson, typify the range of emotions: sorrow, loneliness, anger, and hope, felt by the family and friends of Jennifer Nilson, taken from us way too soon. In the words of her brother, “For six years my big sister battled with cancer and, although it stole her from us today, she won that battle with her head held high. Resilience, strength, beauty, and grace til the end.”

Jennifer Sue Davis was born May 9, 1972 at Shaw AFB in South Carolina. She was a delightful and adventurous baby who started walking at 7 months old, and never looked back. Because she was born in the deep South, she was given a double name. Many of her childhood friends and family members still call her Jennie Sue.

Her family moved to Elmendorf AFB, Alaska, where her little brother, Jeff, was born. She barely tolerated this new addition but, as he grew, she learned that he idolized her and would do anything for her, like eat the crust off her toast, if she called him Bubby. Their relationship flourished over the years.

Jen, as she came to be known, grew up and thrived in rural central Idaho, surrounded by cousins, animals, fresh air, and sagebrush. She attended schools in Cambridge and Midvale, and graduated from Melba High School in 1990. She excelled in athletics and all aspects of high school life, receiving many awards and scholarships.

Those scholarships led her to the University of Idaho where she obtained a degree in Elementary Education and became a much respected and loved 4th grade teacher at Seltice Elementary in Post Falls, Idaho, teaching until a few weeks before her death.

It was also at Seltice that she met Cory Nilson, who would not only become her best friend and husband, camping and hiking buddy, partner and confidante, dreamer and doer, and daddy-o to her children, but also her caregiver and shelter from the storm. Everyone who knew this loving couple is so grateful to Cory for his tender care.

They were married July 21, 2001 and soon after that began their family. Josh was born in 2003, Tyler in 2005, and Elena completed the family in 2008. Each of her children has their own special memories. Josh remembers having “date night” with Mom. Tyler has happy memories of going on wild rides with her at Disneyland. Elena’s special memories are going with her to the butterfly exhibit, reading books and singing songs. Mommy loved listening to them playing the fiddle and guitar, was an enthusiastic cheerleader at their soccer games, and gave wonderful backrubs and snuggles.

“Loved ones she left behind

Just trying to survive

And understand the why

Feeling so lost inside

Anger shot straight at God

Then asking for His love

Empty with disbelief

Just hoping that maybe

She flew up to heaven on the wings of angels

By the clouds and stars and passed where no one sees

And she walks with Jesus and her loved ones waiting

And I know she’s smiling saying

Don’t worry ‘bout me.”

Jen loved chocolate, music, dancing, beautiful flowers, gardening, a good book, and new shoes, but not necessarily in that order. She loved life on the “Funny Farm” with the goats, chickens, Roscoe the dog, the family of cats, the sound of dirt bikes, and the laughter of children, but not necessarily in that order. More than anything she loved her family and drew strength from that love. She is remembered for her beautiful smile, wonderful sense of humor, and her self-sacrificing nature.

She is survived and missed by her devoted husband, Cory Nilson, two sons, Joshua Thomas Nilson and Tyler Geoffrey Nilson, one daughter Elena Corynne Nilson all of Post Falls; parents, Randy and Susan Crisp of Cambridge, Idaho; and brother and special ‘sistah’ Jeff and Abby Davis and their daughters Grace and Hazel of Nampa, Idaho. She loved being “auntie”! Her extended family adored her: aunts and uncles, Charles and Marlene Vogel, Mike and Nikki Vogel, Tom and Marva Vogel, Debbie Ford, and Dennis and Sandy Mickelson; cousins, Missy Harrison, Scooter Vogel, Kasey Brock, Gayle Peters, Nate Ford, Addie Ford-Jones, and Isaiah Ford. She is also survived by a step brother and sister, Gordon Crisp and Deanna Adams and step grandmothers, Donna Mitchell and Marie Crisp.

Jen was blessed with a bonus family that loved her dearly: parents, George and Shirley Nilson of Pasco, WA, sibling-in-laws, Greg and Michelle Nilson, Rochelle and Barrett, Kennewick, WA, Scott and Louanne Nilson, Collin, Evan and Annalise, Milton, WA, Darci Nilson and Nate Tyssen and Nate’s son Nick, also of Pasco.

She touched so many lives. One of her favorite quotes was “We are each of us angels with only one wing, and we can fly only by embracing each other.” (Lucian de Crescenzo) It is impossible to list here the names of all her wonderful friends, but special hugs to Ann Mires, Jane Somers, Scott and Jamie Powers, and Doug and Lori Hinote.

Jen was preceded in death by her grandparents, Bert and Hazel Vogel, Alvin Abrams, Richard Crisp and Cliff and Donna Davis and cousins, Lori Vogel and Tim Harrison.

There are no words to express the family’s appreciation of the Seltice Elementary staff, Post Falls School District administration and staff, her doctors and other medical staff, and friends and family for their unending cooperation and support the past six years.

Jen had a personal relationship with her Lord, Jesus Christ, and the family is comforted knowing she has been welcomed into the kingdom of Heaven where she is whole again, free of pain and sharing a giggle with Grandma Hazel.

A Celebration of Life will be held May 9, 2015, at the Nilson home at Post Falls, Idaho. Details will be announced later. Memorials may be made to a charity of your choice.

“It’s hard to say goodbye

Her picture in my mind

They’ll always be of times I’ll cherish

And I won’t cry cause

She flew up to Heaven on the wings of angels

By the clouds and stars and passed where no one sees

And she walks with Jesus and her loved ones waiting

And I know she’s smiling saying

Don’t worry ’bout me

Don’t worry ‘bout me.”