My name is Michael Nellestein. Jas was my best friend and my wife for 40 years. She was the best woman I’ve ever known. A resolute Christian with strong beliefs and unwavering values. Jas was 100% committed to her children, her husband, her friends and her faith.
Jas was born on Easter morning, April 6th, 1958 in Lebanon, Pennsylvania. She died at 65 years of age, at 1:43 pm, on Thursday, November 30th, 2023. Myself, Emily and Adrew were with her, holding her hand and playing her favorite music. She was never alone. She died from metastatic Cancer of unknown primary, initially diagnosed in Oct 2022.
Jas attended k-12 schooling in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. She was academically, socially, and athletically very talented. She attended Conestoga Valley High School where she was elected student body president, received 12 varsity letters for field hockey, basketball and tennis. She won numerous regional awards and in 2008 was selected to the Conestoga High School Hall of Fame.
She attended Wilkes university on a field hockey scholarship and majored in nursing. Over the course of her collegiate field hockey career, she received multiple awards and was the Mid Atlantic Conference MVP in 1979. She was a runner-up for the U S Olympic Field Hockey team and was inducted to Wilkes University Hall of Fame in 2000.
After college, in 1979, Jas joined the United States Navy as a registered nurse and was stationed at Bethesda Naval hospital. While continuing to serve full time in the Navy, in 1983 Jas obtained her Master of Arts in Education and Human Development from George Washington University.
I Joined the Navy in 1979 as a medical student at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences at the Bethesda Naval Hospital. Gods plan was in motion. In 1982 as a medical student working on the Cardiothoracic Surgery service I met Jas—an ICU nurse. While standing over a mutual patient she looked at me and quipped “ hey, you have friends around here?” She had the prettiest blue eyes I have ever seen, was witty, funny, smart and was an exceptional nurse. I was smitten. We began dating and during this time I taught her how to play golf. She loved it, became very good, very quickly due to her natural athleticism, and became an avid golfer for the rest of her life.
We dated for 8 months. I proposed, she accepted, and we were married on 5 November 1983. This…was the beginning of the very best 40 years of my life.
We led a Navy life, serving 7 years overseas and multiple years at Bethesda naval hospital. The overseas tours included 3 years in Okinawa Japan(84-87), 1 year at Guantanamo Bay Cuba (91-92) where our son Andrew was born in 1991, and 3 years in Honolulu, Hawaii (94-97) where our daughter Emily was born. During this time in Hawaii, we made lifelong friends that continue to this day. In 1997 she was President of the Kaneohe Womens Golf Association, a very fine honor.
In 1990, while I was a general surgery resident at Bethesda, Jas obtained her Diploma from George Washington University as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA). From 1990 onward she worked full time as a CRNA.
Our ties to the Kansas City area began in 1992-1994, when I was trained as a Cardiothoracic Surgeon at St.Lukes hospital. We then had the final Navy tour in Hawaii from 94-97.
Since 1998 we have lived and served in Saint Joseph, Missouri. And so many great relationships were born and have grown stronger every day.
Jas was passionate about everything she undertook, but some resonated with more power.
First and foremost, her conviction for and belief in our lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Jas was a lifelong devout Christian, she read her bible and journaled daily until cancers toll prevented writing, and reading became more difficult. Jas NEVER complained about her pain or her situation. There was never a “woe is me” moment. I was at her side thru this entire time and Jassie was a Christian warrior. At the end she faced death head on with strength, courage and conviction. Simply an incredible woman.
Second, Her children, Andrew and Emily. Jassie was 100% committed to them. She loved and cherished them both from the very first breath they took, to the very last breath that she took. Countless hours of academic help, coaching, and supporting them both completely and unconditionally. Helping and supporting her children, attending their sporting events and cheering them on, this was a great highlight for Jas. We made lifelong friends through these sporting teams, many of whom helped immensely over the past 15 months.
Third, her golfing friends. Both in Hawaii and here in St. Joseph. Jas absolutely loved her Golf friends. The very best times of her life-once the kids were grown and on their own-was playing golf with her friends. That time on the course and at the 19th hole—those were among her most cherished times. When Cancer hit in Oct 2022, and she could no longer play, it was devastating. But all those ladies were relentless in supporting Jas and our family. They gave her constant companionship, stepped in to help her with personal needs like organizing her closet when she could no longer physically manage to do so. And they always made sure we had good food to eat.
Fourth, Travel. Jassie loved to travel, especially to play golf. Multiple shared trips with her ladies from Hawaii made cherished memories and friendships. The highest among those travel trips were with our oldest and dearest friends from the Navy. Tony and Mary Quinn. Jas and Mary were nurses together way back in their twenties. Tony was the first classmate I met at Medical School, and Mary and Jas were nurses together. The four of us have travelled the US and Scotland playing golf. And we loved all those moments.
Fifth her job at Murphy, Watson and Burr. Jassie adored the physicians and optometrists she worked with. Drs. Burr, Watson, and Murphy…just the best. And the OR Crew was amazing, fun, and just great. Jassie LOVED going to work every day to work with you guys. She loved taking care of people and was an immensely talented CRNA.
Sixth her husband. Jassie loved me and I loved her. We had a magically charmed life for 40 years, and a tragically harmed life for 1 year. I am proud that I took care of her to the end. We considered ourselves incredibly blessed with happiness and good fortune. We wish it could have gone on forever, but we know we were much more fortunate than the vast majority of people and for this we are very thankful. It was my privilege to be married to her and, over the past year, while taking care of her every day, I grew to love and respect her more every day because of her courage, strength and conviction.
Jas and I are very thankful for several individuals.
Emily and Andrew Nellestein. Our children, both of home came home for weeks to take care of their mom. The baths, backrubs, foot rubs, and the painful endurance of watching your mother die, without ever faltering or shying away from her. Holding her hand at the end and transmitting the love that had been sent your direction for 20-30 years, all back to her. True love returned in full. I could not have handled this without them.
The softball moms—Lynne, Dana, Trish-for constant support and love that filled our hearts.
Sherry and Vicki—two of Jassies oldest and dearest friends that would always be here on a moments notice to decorate, or to escort Jassie on a walk. You two ladies are simply amazing and we love you.
The MWB office staff and Docs—Thank you so much.
ALWAYS there. Taking care of us with food, flowers and genuine love and affection. Marrianne and Lore, what can I say---except thank you for taking the lead and keeping the others informed and always bringing GREAT meals filled with nutrition and love.
Regina—always there for us, just the best meals and perfect portion sizes filled with food and love. So much thanks and love. So mush history with you, thank you for taking care of my Jassie
Finally,…The golf ladies. Just for everything. Food, fellowship, hanging out, talking, helping Jas with stuff around the house. You Ladies are close friends. If it was on Netflix, I’d call it Band Of Mothers….
Amy, Trish, Jeannie, Dana, Joey…Thank you. You know my heart and how much you mean to me and Jas. Amy, special thanks for helping me as Jas caregiver. Helping to spread information and lightening my burden. Thank you. Your Love for Jassie was obvious and you meant the world to her.
Jas had so much love in her life and it is an incredible testimony to the type of woman she was that so many people from such varied backgrounds loved and cherished her. Kind, honest, giving, caring, compassionate, genuine, loving.
The list could go on for a long time, Jas was a very very special woman.
On Thursday November 30th, the world was a little worse off, but heaven was greatly enhanced.
Jas Nellestein, I love you, And I will see you again.
For those wishing to send donations please send them to either: Sisters of Solace in Saint Joseph, Missouri or Wellspring Community Church.
The Nellestein’s simply suggest:
…Go outside, look up in wonder at the sky, thank God you are alive, appreciate the beauty around you, and enjoy LIFE. Kiss your loved one, be thankful for this time together, and realize, it can –and will--be gone all too soon….
Farewell Services and Public Livestream 4:00 P.M. Thursday, Wellspring Community Church. The family will gather with friends 2:30 to 4:00 P.M. Thursday, Wellspring Community Church. Online guest book and obituary at www.meierhoffer.com.\
