John Michael Schrooten, known to all who loved and cared for him as “Jack”, died peacefully in the arms of his mother on Sunday, January 5, 2014 at the Ryan House, with family and friends at his side. Jack was born in St. Louis, Missouri to parents Mark Henry Schrooten (b. Fairmont, Minnesota) and Ann Frances (Rochford) Schrooten (b. Phoenix, Arizona).
Jack left behind his devoted parents, Mark and Ann; his adoring siblings, Hilary, Mary and Eric; maternal grandfather, Richard Rochford; paternal grandmother, LaRayne Schrooten, maternal aunts and uncles, Cecelia Sturgeon, Richard and Karen Rochford, Joan and Vernon Speshock, Maureen and Jim Musselman, John and Julie Rochford; paternal uncles and aunts, Donald Nelson, Craig Nelson, David and Lois Schrooten, Paul and Karen Schrooten, Ann Schrooten and Dawn Wieczorek; maternal great-aunt and uncle, Carol and Wayne Simpkins; 23 cousins and countless friends. Jack was greeted at the gates of heaven by his paternal grandfather, John Henry Schrooten, his maternal grandmother, Mary Cecelia Rochford and his maternal great-grandmother, Elizabeth Ann Bensley.
Despite being born with a rare form of congenital muscular dystrophy that stole so much from him, Jack radiated love every day of his life. Our beautiful son, who could not purposefully move his body; who could not sustain his breathing without the assistance of a machine; who never enjoyed the experience of eating food; and who never spoke the words his mind so clearly held, woke up every morning with a smile on his face and eyes that sparkled with the anticipation of a new day. Jack faced the hardships of this life with unprecedented joy and grace and he challenged all of us to do the same.
It took a village to care for Jack and while it’s impossible to list all the people who helped give Jack the best quality of life possible, we owe tremendous gratitude to the nurses and doctors at Missouri Baptist Medical Center who first cared for Jack after he was born; the doctors, nurses, respiratory therapists and staff in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at St. Louis Children’s Hospital where Jack spent the majority of the first year of his life; the team of physicians at Washington University/St Louis Children’s Hospital; our home health nurses who loved Jack like their own, especially, Peggy, Holly, Jean, Kathy, Kristi, and Angie; the pediatric palliative care/hospice team at Phoenix Children’s Hospital and Hospice of the Valley, and the many occupational, physical and speech therapists who worked with Jack throughout his life. We are incredibly thankful for the organizations that serve children with special health care needs and have been personally touched by Room for Joy (www.roomforjoy.org) and Ryan House (www.ryanhouse.org).
Jack will be missed beyond measure by all who knew and loved him, but we take great comfort in knowing he is now at peace and safe in the arms of our heavenly Father. He fought the good fight, he finished the race, he kept the faith.
Until we meet again sweet Jack, we will continue to push ONWARD sustained by your indomitable spirit and unconditional love.
Donations in Jack’s memory can be made to The Willow Tree Foundation, a tax-exempt organization founded by Jack’s mom, Ann, and inspired by Jack. P.O. Box 13145, Chandler, AZ 84248 or www.willowtreefoundation.org
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