Jaime Calleen Alsop-Eblen

It was suggested that I write my own obituary, so here goes nothing.

I Jaime Calleen Alsop have passed on July 11, 2020, from complications due to ALS.

I was born March 25, 1975 in Salt Lake City Utah. I had an idyllic childhood with lots of places to explore in Sandy, Utah, and 2 short years in Sandy Hook, Connecticut. As a teenager I started my lifelong love of working jobs that in some way helped make lives around me better. I often worked 2 to 3 jobs at a time. It started with baby sitting where I first learned I have a special connection with children (strangers hired me in the grocery store after I calmed their kids.) then I became a demo lady in stores and Malls at 15, on to being a life guard and swim instructor at 2 pools. Other jobs included dried floral designer, and a clerk and evening instructor in floral design at Gardner Village. During my time at the University of Utah I worked in clothing retail at 3 different stores in Park City; as clerk, merchandiser, assistant managers, and fashion merchandiser going to Beverly Hills from Utah every Monday. As marriage and my 3 wonderful sons came along, I began to work for myself starting my own dried floral business at home, selling my work at retail stores, and Swiss Days where I met new clients. This allowed me to bring a little money in and to be home with my sons. I felt really cherished and loved by my family. As the boys started school I volunteered in their classes in art, science, music, PE and PTA. When my youngest son entered school I was invited to be a special education aid, then a busy substitute teacher for the most wonderful teachers, and then a testing proctor. I found great joy working with the children and seeing my own sons learn and grow. At that time I also worked with women and their skincare selling MaryKay on the side.

As my middle son entered Jr High I became a single mother and we mourned the absence of their father, my best friend who moved across the country. It was a time of change and I was blessed to find work as a scheduler at the front desk of the U of U Neurosurgery (which is in the same place as my ALS clinic) where my family enjoyed amazing benefits. After that I worked at a day care center for seniors suffering from dementia and Alzheimer's. I sure loved my seniors. They reminded me of the treasured time we spent with my own beloved grandfather who suffered from dementia and Alzheimer's when my kids were younger. My last job has been working for JetBlue, which has blessed me greatly in benefits and being in the home again for my sons. These last 3 jobs have miraculously prepared me for my journey with ALS, leaving me with confidence and having no fear save for the welfare of my incredible sons who have dealt with so much in their young lives.

We have been so blessed by our neighborhood, church, friends, family, even strangers, the medical staff at the U of U Neuromuscular Clinic and so many other members of the medical staff there in the U of U Medical system. So many people made my burdens lighter.

In my life I enjoyed everything water: oceans, pools, swim team, scuba diving, snorkeling, teaching kids to swim, and sea animals, especially humpback whales. I loved to read, create, floral design, good food, and seeing the world around me. I felt an especially strong connection with kids, animals, and seniors my entire life. I loved to find the beauty in the people around me and you can trust that if I said "love you" to you that I truly meant it.

I am survived by my talented sons Sebastian, Devon, and Alexander Eblen. I have considered raising them to be my life's work, my greatest joy, the hardest job and my greatest accomplishment. "I'll love you forever, I'll like you for always" my boys! I am so proud to be your mom. I am also survived by my parents, Dennis and Pam Alsop; by my 2 brothers and their wives: David and Heather Alsop with their 4 sons, and Joseph and Megan Alsop with their 3 sons. I am also survived by my uncles; Bret Richmond, Dale Alsop, Bryan Alsop, Brian Dabling and my aunt Julie Alsop.

Funeral services will be held at the East Millcreek LDS chapel (3103 E Craig DR, SLC, UT 84109) on Saturday the 18th of July from 10:00am until the end of proceedings . A viewing will be held prior at the same location on the same day from 9:00am until 9:45am; an additional viewing will be held at the Wasatch Lawn Mortuary (3401 Highland Dr, SLC, UT 84106) on Friday the 17th of July from 5:00pm until 7:00pm. Interment will be held at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park and Mortuary following funeral services.

Scrapbook cards and pens will be provided at the viewing and funeral services. Please use those cards to document any good memories or impressions you have had of me so that my sons may read them in the future and remember who their mom really was. I encourage you to allow your children to fill these cards out as well since so much of my time and love was spent with them. The cards can be returned to the basket provided, or to Vicky Westlund. Thank you!

A live stream of Jaime's services will be available at www.facebook.com/wasatchlawnmemorial