Lena C Jeffrey

Lena was born on the early morning of October 24, 2006 at 6:15AM in Evergreen Hospital at Kirkland, WA.. Lena's mother is Paulette Price-Jeffrey and her father is James Jeffrey. Lena has one sister, Tasha N. Jeffrey who is 24 years-old and currently attends the University of Washington, in Bothell.

Lena arrived into this world with a pretty rough beginning. She was three weeks pre-mature, weighing just under 6 pounds and it was discovered, several days later, that Lena had the condition known as Downs syndrome. She was required to remain in the hospital for approximately three weeks of her brand-new life in an incubator. Mother and father took turns staying overnight with their newborn infant. It was touch-and-go from the very beginning, but Lena was such a bright soul that her will to live shined through and, soon, she was home with her family.

Lena's parents never considered Lena's disability -- by the standards commonly held by society -- to be a problem. They were just happy that Lena was a healthy and active baby. As she grew older, her parents' confidence in Lena's ability to development into an active, bright and socially adjusted, wonderful, child was well founded.

Lena developed an early and permanent interest in books and reading. Father Jim and Lena spent many days and hours in the local Kingsgate, King County library at least two days per week, after school. They read many picture and chapter books together, just before bed. It was their favorite night-time ritual.

She was also a talented artist. Lena would spend many creative hours both in school and at home drawing, painting pictures and modeling with clay and play-dough into all kinds of animals and other works of art.

Lena loved to play games and watch movies and music videos on her own laptop computer. Some of her favorites were "My Little Pony," as well as, just about all of Disney's animated kids' movies -- "Mulan," "Aladdin," "Beauty and the Beast," "The Little Mermaid" and "Pocahontas" among many others.

But Lena's all-time favorite Disney movie was, by far, "The Lion King." She strongly identified with the redemptive nature of the feisty lion cub Simba, who, after much growing and struggle, recovers his murdered father's role as King of the animal kingdom.

Lena's attraction to this saga, seemed to be mirrored in her own challenges of a little girl who was also striving to be do her best in school, at home and in the public activities that she so enjoyed.

In fact, the highlight of both Lena and her dad came on December 29, 2018, when both their dreams would come true. Daddy Jim had set up a surprise for his beloved Lena that he was praying to God would come true.

It was a cold blustery day and he bundled Lena up in her long warm pants, winter coat and brightly colored woolen hat. It was going to be a cold day outside of the Paramount Theatre, in Seattle. If he could pull it off, dad was planning the biggest event of his 12-year-old daughter's life. Two tickets to see Disney's Broadway production of the "Lion King."

Only problem was, daddy Jim did not have those tickets. He was going to stand out in front the main entrance with the sweetest, the cutest little girl, in hand, and use his daughter as bait to beg for two "extra" tickets to his daughter's dream show. Lena stood with her dad watching everybody else excitedly pushing past them going into the doorway, and wondered, as she asked, "Why don't we go in, Daddy?"

"Oh, we will," said dad, as he continued to hold up his paper sign that he had written in big black "sharpy" letters: "Two Tickets Pleeeezzz!" "We just need to wait here for a minute or two more."

Long story short, after some extended negotiations in which dad pleaded poverty (which was no exaggeration) with a very nice Doctor, whose grandchildren did not show up, he kindly handed over two $100 tickets several rows behind the orchestra pit on the main floor of the Paramount Theatre.

They could not have been more perfect. Dad could not have been prouder of his success and Lena could not have been happier to finally be getting out of the cold and going to see "The Lion King."

The show was a spectacular success for them, both. A lady next to Lena, wondered why she did not have an official "Lion King" hat complete with the Simba Logo and a tote bag to go with it. No answer from Lena, so this wonderfully generous woman handed everything she had over to anyway. Dad thanked her, profusely, and Lena beamed with her new Lion King souvenirs.

The costumes the music, the acting -- it truly was the dream come true for his perfect daughter for her perfect day. It was simply, in a word, "perfect."

Lena stayed with her mother, Paulette and Auntie Pauline up on Finn Hill during weekdays, weekends, and holidays. Lena enjoyed everything about being with her favorite "twin" mothers as we all refer to these beautiful identical twin sisters.

Lena and her mother would do all kinds of fun and interesting things together. Swimming at her mother's health club, shopping at the Costco store, going to the various parks in Kirkland, playing at the beach near Lake Washington, going to movies and so much more. Most holidays -- especially birthdays -- Lena would be treated to the celebration of a true princess every October and then dress up in her Halloween costume the next week for the school parade at Robert Frost elementary.

Lena's favorite activity -- her life's commitment, was going to school. She loved everything about school. Her dad was the full-time school facilitator who was responsible for all things "school." But he never considered it a job for Lena made it easy on him. She never even had to be asked to get up and get ready, as Lena was always eager to see the day and find out what was new to do, in her class...

And, by the outpouring of condolence letters, emails and door-to-door flower deliveries, it is obvious that Lena's teachers loved her just as much.

Lena's Auntie Pauline has always referred to her as "my Angel" and that seems to be the consensus among all who got to know the depth and sincerity of her ability to win everyone over with her bright smile and genuine interest in who they were and what they were up to.

Whoever got to know Lena, from her teachers to her family, her friends, and, even her neighbours, all remember Lena as a bright and loving part of their lives. Lena was not just a young girl -- or "woman" as she, lately, was demanding she be referred to as -- she was, and is, a true child of God. Now Lena has returned to God, and she has taken our Hearts with Her.

May God Truly Bless Lena and welcome Her into His Loving Arms...

For those so inclined please refer to the link below for a donation to Seattle Children's Hospital. The nurses and doctors, there, went above and beyond, to save Lena's life. They are all a blessing to our community. Thank you...

https://give.seattlechildrens.org/give/284150/#!/donation/checkout