It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that I write this post. My mentee and friend, Jeanne May, passed away last week. I had known her online since 2006, and she was one of my first students. Very quickly she became much more than that. I considered Jeanne to be my friend, mastermind partner, and confidant. She will be missed by many, including people from six continents, whose lives she touched.
I knew Jeanne for more than a year before I knew anything of her medical condition. She was born with a genetic disorder known as Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) and was not expected to live past her first birthday. Her parents believed in her, and fought to keep her alive. Jeanne defied the odds and lived until her fifties, unheard of in most cases of SMA.
Jeanne never walked, could not use a telephone, and couldn’t type on a keyboard. Just think about that for a moment. Yet she was able to complete post-graduate studies, build her own websites, and touch people from around the world with her wisdom, compassion, and uplifting message of goals and aspirations. She also did quite well with her internet business, selling her writing, e-courses, and coaching.
Several years ago Jeanne traveled to Outer Mongolia in China. Her friends carried her in her wheelchair up the steep hill to the Great Wall. When I visited the Great Wall this past November I finally realized how difficult life was for her physically, and how strong she was emotionally.
Last summer Jeanne and I began talking about twice a week, using headphones with Yahoo messenger. She was still working for me, submitting articles and editing the writing of some of my students. At some point she asked me to continue her work after she was gone. I am an administrator of her group on Facebook, and I intend to keep my promise.
Jeanne, I loved you like a sister, and I will tell people about you for the rest of my life. I want others to know how much you inspired me and thousands of others from around the world.
I’m so sorry for your loss. What a beautiful tribute to your friend.
Beautiful, heartfelt post, Connie. How wonderful that you two were able to share time together while Jeanne was alive. And, how wonderful you are to keep your promise to a friend. I am proud to be in your space, Connie. You are an inspiration also.
What a beautiful tribute to an obviously amazing woman. Sending much love and light to you and all of Jeanne’s family and friends from around the world. Know that she will live on, even in the memories of those who didn’t know her.
She sounds like a great person to have known. I’m sorry for your loss.
Connie, what a gift.
Thank you for sharing this with us all.
I am sad to hear the news about Jeanne May. She was like a Mentor to me and I had a lot of respect for her. I was truly inspired by her abilities, despite her disabilities. Knowing her across the miles was an honor to me and she will be greatly missed by me.
I remember speaking to you about Jeanne and how much you admired her. Even though I didn’t know her, I am touched by her strength and courage to live life to its fullest. My heart goes out to you Connie during this time of grieving. Let me know if I can be of assistance.
We never know how we will touch others’ lives. I’m sure that you were as important to Jeanne as she was to you. And, I’m sure that you are a better person for having known her. So sorry for your loss.
Thank you to everyone who has left a comment or contacted me personally. I always thought I would have more time with Jeanne. I will be keeping up her group on Facebook to keep her memory alive.
Connie
Oh Connie,
What a beautiful testimonial you wrote to Jeanne’s life. What an inspiration! What wonderful family and friends, including you. I am so sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing your beautiful words and memories of Jeanne.
Kathryn
Hello Connie,
As you, I had grown to know and love Jeanne.
I met her online almost a year ago and had been an avid reader of her work on GoalnAspirations.com ever since.
I am deeply saddened to hear of her passing.
There will always be a special place in my heart for her memory.
I am and will remain a loyal member of her group on Facebook.
Thank you for your tribute to Jeanne,
Her message will live on,
Bill
Connie,
Thanks for sharing this beautiful story about a great girlfriend. (If you’d be interested, I’d love to feature it as a guest blog on my site – Girlfriendology.com)
Thanks for this great tribute to Jeanne and the girlfriend that she was to so many people – Hugs, Debba / http://www.girlfriendology.com
Hello Connie,
I have known Jeanne since I was about twelve years old. We went to school together at St Marys C.E.G.S. in Karrinyup. My family moved to Sydney in 1972 and Jeanne and I corresponded first through letter-writing and eventually email and the occaisional phone call. I last saw Jeanne in 1979 when I drove to Perth for a holiday. Although I haven’t seen her since, we kept in touch – mainly at birthdays and Christmas. I hadn’t heard of her passing and was wondering why my emails were being returned – so I did a search on Google and came across your tribute.
I am deeply saddened to hear of her passing but on the other hand it was an absolute pleasure to have known Jeanne – she was an amazing person who never let her condition get in the way of living life to the full.
Thank you for your beautiful tribute to Jeanne.
Amanda
Hi connie , Jeanne was my aunty , my mum was adopted into her family when Jeanne was a young girl. I loved Jeanne dearly and although lost contact with her as i was a child, she has always been in my thoughts .i am deeply saddened to learn of her passing and my misfortune to have not made contact sooner! Do u know of any of her remaining which would maybe her father and cousins!? I am desperate to make contact as my mother is dying! Thank you for your tribute it is beautiful and made it possible for me to find something on her!!! Xxx