Jennifer Sutliff, 30, was born with a smile that lit up the room. Her grace and tenacity inspired everyone she met. She was fiercely independent and refused to be categorized. Her family and friends sang and prayed over her in the final hours of her life and she died gently, surrounded by love and light. She was not a saint, but she was the closest to it that any of us have seen, and we are all better people for knowing her.
Neurofibromatosis Type 2 changed her physical abilities and curtailed some of her plans, but she explored the limits to focus on what she could do, and she shared freely of the gifts – yes, the gifts – her illness brought her. She counted these as some of the blessings: her illness enabled deeper and more meaningful conversations that brought her closer to her family, she learned firsthand of God’s steadfastness and to rely on God to provide her every need, and her experience enabled her to connect with anyone who was hurting.
She was more than her illness. She ministered to youth at Canyon Ferry Baptist Church and in Brazil, and completed training to be a peer minister at Colorado Christian University. She used her artist’s eye for photography and pottery and her works are treasured by her family and friends. She put hours of time and effort into gift giving; if she didn’t make a gift herself, she bought it from a charity fundraiser or from the artist in order to widen the circle of giving.
She insisted on going on her missionary trip to Brazil, though she was recovering from a round of whole brain radiation and needed help getting around. She said God would make the way straight, and she was right. She navigated Brazil with the help of friends and fulfilled her purpose of spreading God’s word, even if she had to be carried on and off buses.
Jennifer helped other people put their own struggles into perspective by sharing how she had learned to see things differently. She often didn’t listen when she was asked to slow down and use her walker. She travelled to Washington, DC, every six months for years and submitted to extensive testing by the NIH in the hopes that such research would help society to find a cure for NF2. And she never, ever gave up.
She was born June 20, 1985, in Helena, Montana. She attended Central Elementary School and graduated from Helena High School in 2004. She attended Montana State University-Bozeman, Helena College, where she was inducted into the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, and Colorado Christian University. She worked for a brief time for High Country Growers and for Albertson’s on Eleventh. She treasured her family.
Jennifer’s grieving family includes her mother, Michelle Harrer, father, James Sutliff, and stepmother, Debbie Sutliff; grandmothers Barbara Sutliff and Ruth Ann Massey, and a grandfather, Jack Burgess; brothers and sister Patrick Flanigan, James Sutliff II, April Barnes, and Zachariah Bliss; aunts Debbie Willoughby, Tammie Frimodig, Anne Bauer, and Jeanne Massey; uncles Bill Massey and John Sutliff; nieces and nephew Juliana Gonzalez, Jemma Rose, and Jamison Collins; and cousins Thomas Kendall, Sarah Howard, Riley Sutliff, Bon Frimodig, Amanda Sutliff, Beau Lake, Olivia Bauer, Paul Bauer, Tammy Massey, Sierrah Massey, Katlyn Massey, Brianna Massey, Tanner Bakke, Travis Bakke, Brittany Bakke, Jennifer Bakke, and Billy Massey.
She was joyfully greeted in Heaven by many people, but her grandparents, William A. Massey, Thomas Joseph Sutliff, and Marie Benjamin (Granny Goose) were first in line.
A Celebration of Jennifer’s Life is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. Saturday, April 23, 2016 at Canyon Ferry Road Baptist Church, 3384 Canyon Ferry Rd., with a reception to follow the service at the church. Please visit below to offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Jennifer.
Service Schedule
Celebration of Her Life
2:00 p.m.
Saturday April 23, 2016
Canyon Ferry Road Baptist Church
3384 Canyon Ferry Rd.
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
After the service
Saturday April 23, 2016
Canyon Ferry Road Baptist Church
3384 Canyon Ferry Rd.
Helena, Montana 59602
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Denise Kuntz says
Michelle – The staff at Dr. Kuntz’s office sends ours condolences to you and your family. We will miss seeing Jennifer! She was always so kind and special to all of us.
Freddi Haab-Fiedler says
Michelle – I am sorry for your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Sara Shurtliff says
Michelle, I am so sorry for your loss. I will keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers.
Theresa says
Jim and Michelle,
I am soooo sorry. I can’t imagine the loss of a child. My thoughts are with you.
Traci L Clements says
Michelle, I am so sorry for your loss… She was such a sweet girl. She will be missed.
Ed and Sharon says
Michelle and James,
Jennifer was such an amazing person. I truly enjoyed praying with her when she was my prayer partner. Her strength and Godly character truly was an inspiration. She is now free to run and bask in the presence of her Savior. Our prayers are for you to experience His peace and grace and comfort. Love.
Pat Johnston Ross says
Michelle, I am so sorry for your loss. Jennifer was such a sweet girl. She will be missed. Praying for you and your family. Blessings,
Megan Rowan says
Michelle I am so sorry for the loss of your beautiful baby girl. I will never forget her humor, stubbornness, and honesty. I will cherish many memories with Jennifer I am so blessed to have. I remember her asking me to put flowers on her fingernails and I had no clue how to after moments if uncertainty she looks at me with this big grin and says “guys you are way over thinking this!” ( we totally were) my heart hurts for your whole family. She is flying with the angels and she worked at her spirituality til the very end. I love you Jennifer. RIP beautiful girl!
Melody Foster says
Grateful for heaven.. heart broke thinking of your loss.. Jennifer was so kind, so sweet. I know she is in the arms of Jesus, safe, pain free and loved.. Jennifer talked to my mom a lot at Jaxi’s bridal shower. .it blessed my mom so much. .can’t help bit imagining them together now, both free of the struggles they faced on earth. . Praying for you.
Shirlene Kuykendall says
Michelle, I am so very sorry for your loss of a very precious daughter. Jennifer was an amazing young woman. She was pretty, smart and definitely one of a kind! I’ll always treasure all my memories of her! She’s in heaven now and with no more pain. I am grateful for that! She will be loved and missed by so many people. Prayers for you and your family!
Steve and Kathy Claassen says
What an inspiration Jennifer wants to so many people! I will never ever forget when the youth shaved their heads in her honor! Steve & Kathy
Audrey Plymale says
Michelle- I am so sorry for your loss. Jennifer was such a sweet woman. Loved her determination. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Love you
Rosie Walsh says
Dear Michelle, I am so very deeply sorry for your loss. Please know that you, Jennifer, and your entire family are in my thoughts and prayers at this time. With genuine sympathy.
Dayle Williams says
Michelle and family,
Thinking of you during this difficult time.
My sincere sympathy.
Chuck and Terri Paske says
Dear Michelle, Jim and family,
What a beautifully written tribute of a beautiful child of God. We treasure all the memories we have of Jennifer and rejoice thru our tears knowing she is now in the arms of Jesus. We can only imagine what joy our Jennifers are experiencing. Our love & prayers. Go in Faith!
Cindy Burk says
Michelle,
So sorry to hear about Jennifer.. Our staff was so blessed to be able to work with her. We enjoyed all of our visits. Our sincere sympathy.
Last Chance Audiology, INC.
Jody Johns, Administrator says
To all of Jennifer’s family,
We at Liberty Place are very sad to hear of Jennifer’s passing. We very much enjoyed our time with her over the years . She left lasting impressions on all of us. We will forever remember her and all the great adventures we shared. She was always so full of life, even in the darkest moments of a health issue. Rest in Peace Jennifer, you are gone but never forgotten.
Jennie Coen says
Michelle and family,
You are in my thoughts and prayers. I was very sad to hear of Jennifer’s passing. Jennifer and I went to school together starting at Central all the way through High School. I remember her always being such a sweet person and a great friend.
We hung out a few times after she was diagnosed but we sort of lost touch over the years. I have thought of her often and always hoped she was doing well. I am sad that we lost touch over the years but I will treasure the memories I have of her always. The last time I saw her, we went to a movie together. We laughed A LOT and had such a great time! She brightened my day every time I saw her or talked on the phone with her. I will never forget her and it makes my heart smile to know she spent the last years of her life doing wonderful things. She was a very special person- beautiful inside and out! Sending so much love your way!
“I will never forget you Jennifer S. Love, Jennifer P. from Central”
Jennie (Peterson) Coen
Sharla Kuykendall says
Michelle and Jim and family , Jennifer will be missed she is in heaven with her Lord and Savior. She is looking down on us now. Jennifer was a special young lady ..
Darlene Abeyta and Dennis Abeyta says
Michelle and family: So sorry for your loss. Jennifer was a great person giving to all. Jennifer never gave up. I remember she and Dave S. delivering wood to our house. She was such a giver. And she worked hard too. We loved her and will miss her greatly.
Janet Olson says
To Jennifer’s Family: Jennifer touched my life briefly when she was a member of the Queen City Art Club several years ago, and I assisted as an art instructor. I will always remember her for her courage and inner strength in the face of physical adversity and her unfailing good humor. May God comfort you and reassure you that we will be together again in His good time.
Debora Bates says
Such a beautiful girl. Elizabeth and I are blessed to have known her!! She always had a smile and just kept going.
Maren kirkland says
Ruth Anne and family,
I am so sorry to hear of her parting. I hadn’t seen jennifer in years but thought of her fondly through the years. She was a sweet soul. I hope you find comfort in the memory of her love
Kelli Delgado nee Johnson says
‘Til we meet again, Neighbor.
Carla allen says
Rip Jennifer was so nice to get help you when you needed it so glad to know at the apple rehab cooney
Karin Allison-Wright says
Michelle my BFF I love u and it breaks my heart that you and your family lost Jennifer so young. She will live in our hearts forever. I babysat James and Jennifer when they were little. James and Kyle tried to ditch Jen… she wouldn’t let them, she just ran a little faster. She never gave up ever! She may be gone but she won’t be forgotten .
Shanon Eff says
I am so sorry for your loss. I will be praying for peace and comfort for you all.
Naomi Fleury says
My thoughts and prayers go out to the whole family! She was a shining example of working past the difficulties!
Verna Waddington says
Michelle…my thoughts and prayers are with you and all of Jennifer’s family..she was such a sweet spirited young lady and will be greatly missed..
Our lose…
Heavens gain
Elaine Hawley says
Michelle and Family it hurts my heart and I can only imagine how yours is breaking at losing Jennifer but I know she is with the Lord and dancing and laughing and doing so many things she wanted to do here. I loved seeing her at K weekends and any gatherings. She was a bright light shining for our God. Blessing to you and your family and my God wrap is comforting arms around you always.
Lynnette Radonich says
Deb,
You and the family have been in my heart all week. Sending you guys prayers and hugs.
Lynnette
Rochelle McGahee says
I graduated from Helena High with Jennifer. Though we didn’t know each other real well, I knew we were both christians and it always felt good to be among other believers and school. After we graduated, I would see her arounds town on occation and despite what she was going through, she was always so positive about life. One day, my eye was a little irritated from a contact lens. No big deal, but she said she would pray for me. I was always amazed that she would think to pray for me for such a small thing when she was obviously dealing with far more difficult things. Just a great testament to how loving and caring she was to others. I’m so glad that she is free and with our Father in Heaven. But I am so saddend to hear she has left us so soon. Prayers for family and friends.
Maura Gruber says
I remember Jennifer as one of the kindest and most caring people I had ever met. I haven’t seen her since High School, but I remember her fondly and will be praying for you all!
MICHAEL EDWARD MHOON says
I met Jennifer around 2003 at Canyon Ferry Road Baptist Church. I set up the 5C’s which was a ministry and Sunday School for college, single and divorced. She later attended Coffee time with our group at at a coffee shop and engaged in discussion on Scripture and answers to young adult concerns. She was quite intelligent and had a Spiritual zest. Sometimes she came Tuesday night Single groups. Later Jennifer would attend my Sunday school class and in 2007 she rode with my wife and myself to the Baptist Collegiate yearly camp near Cardwell Montana at Geology camp. I last saw here in 2008 at our house in Dillon Montana. Our grief and Heaven’s delight, I mourn but will see her.
Tonna Strasko says
Michelle,
You are a phenomenal woman and you gave this to Jennifer. I remember Jennifer’s voice the last time I saw her and held her hand at one of our Koinonia functions. I am remembering her smile and voice most of all. I know you have millions of memories – hold on to them – hold tight!
God bless you and your family, Michelle.
Love
Tonna and Joe Strasko and son Jim
Anna Christina Nelson says
I am so sorry to hear the tragic news. My heart goes out to her loving family. What an incredible young women she was.
Jacques Beaudin says
Michelle and family, I feel your loss as each of us do, although understandingly our pain will not come close to yours. I enjoyed Jennifer’s presence in my family lives and saw a fierce determination to succeed. Her spirit will always be in my mind when I struggle, knowing that we can do all things though Him who strengthens us, as she was strengthen and continued to serve the Lord.
Barb & Scott Anstey says
Michelle,
So very sorry for the loss of Jen , I am so happy that I got a chance to meet her. It’s hard for me to write this as no one should have to experience the loss of their child. Please know that you and your whole family are in our thoughts and prayers. Love you, and thinking of you. Please stay in touch, always here now & forever
Candace Coefield says
I will always remember Jen as that lively, funny teenager I was privileged to give piano lessons. I looked forward to spending time with her every week. She enriched my life. Thank you for sharing her with me.
Michelle Harrer says
Thank you, everyone, for taking the time to share your memories of Jen and/or your thoughts and prayers with us. These have been very comforting and more help than you can know.
Kay Revita says
I always think of my times with Jennifer going out for coffee and yakking for hours. She was such a delightful spirit who exuded kindness, joy and love. I’m sorry you’re gone from this earth, and happy you’re whole once more.