The city of Monroe lost a beloved wife and mother earlier this month.
Jennifer Ann Dahl, along with her unborn daughter, Delane Elizabeth, went to sleep on Sunday, Dec. 7 and did not wake up on Monday morning. The 41-year-old mother, who lived in the Fryelands area of Monroe, is survived by her husband, Jason, and their 9-year-old daughter, Morgan.
It is believed that Jennifer's passing was due to an undiagnosed heart condition.
Jennifer was greatly admired by both friends and acquaintances, and has been described by those who knew her as compassionate, loyal, beautiful and kind. Close friend and neighbor, Deb Lewis, recalled a sentiment that has been echoed by Jen's closest friends.
"She never thought of herself as funny, but wherever she was, you would hear laughter,GÇ¥ said Lewis, who has lived near the Dahl family with her husband, Ron, since 2003. "She was a good mom; a great friend.GÇ¥
Jennifer's family is still trying to pick up the pieces and reconcile the fact that she is truly gone.
"She's going to be missed by so many people,GÇ¥ said Jason. "She walked into a room and always lit it up; her eyes. I mean, that's what got me, her eyes and that smile. When I first met her I was like, "She's the one.'GÇ¥
Together for 23 years, Jason and Jennifer met in 1992 through mutual friends. The two had only known each other for around four or five months when Jason enlisted in the United States Army. After six months at Fort Benning, Georgia, he was stationed in Germany. He served for a total of 3 -+ years.
"I've still got all the letters,GÇ¥ said Jason, referring to their correspondence during the time he was overseas. He explained that, once he got home, the two seamlessly picked up where they had left off. "It wasn't like I even left; she was right there.GÇ¥
The couple was married on September 22, 2002 and shortly thereafter, purchased a home in Monroe. Jason works for the Washington State Ferry system, and Jennifer worked for David Munson and Associates, a certified public accounting firm located in downtown Monroe. She was a valued employee, known for her exceptional work ethic.
Jennifer loved to visit the ocean, and looked forward to traveling to Ocean Shores every year with Jason and Morgan. She enjoyed visiting Leavenworth to take in the fall colors, and liked to visit the river and watch her husband fish. She loved the color lavender, and appreciated flowers of all colors. She was partial to roses, and selected yellow roses to have at her wedding.
She collected $2 bills, and kept a supply on hand for the tooth fairy to pass along to Morgan whenever she lost a tooth. She cherished all aspects of motherhood and embraced her relationship with her daughter with all her heart.
Jason, along with numerous friends and acquaintances, described Jennifer and Morgan as "inseparable.GÇ¥ Smitten with each other, the two wholeheartedly enjoyed each other's company, often embarking on weekend adventures together. They enjoyed visiting friends or spending time hunting for new recipes on Pinterest, staying in, and experimenting in the kitchen.
Morgan was her pride and joy, and people often found it remarkable how closely the two resembled each other.
"I will always remember Jennifer's glowing smile that Morgan will carry with her for the rest of her life. She is a tiny image of her mom and they were so close,GÇ¥ said Maltby resident Brittiney Stumpf. "Morgan would always run up to her mom with a big smile on her face, while jumping into her arms for a hug, when she was picked up from daycare.GÇ¥
She enjoyed participating in Morgan's life, and volunteered to help lead her daughter's Girl Scout troop. Jennifer and Morgan had been involved in the Girl Scouts program for around three years.
Jennifer was looking forward to bringing a new baby into the world, and was enjoying every minute of her pregnancy. When she first got pregnant, her family chuckled over the fact that Morgan and her sister would be nine years apart, which is the same age difference that existed between Jennifer and her younger sister, Emily.
"She was so happy when she was pregnant; she was glowing,GÇ¥ said Jason. "She was so happy being pregnant, so happy being a mom.GÇ¥
"I have to say that was her number one thing, being a mom. Her and Morgan were inseparable; they did everything together,GÇ¥ said Lewis. "They were just two peas in a pod.GÇ¥
It was Morgan who discovered Jennifer, becoming alarmed when she was unable to wake her mother on Monday, Dec. 8. Morgan immediately alerted Jason, who told her to wait downstairs. He called 911 and began performing CPR, attempting to resuscitate her. When first responders arrived, responding officers from the fire department they took over those efforts, while officers from the Monroe Police Department sought to provide comfort to Morgan.
Jason expressed gratitude to the responding police officers, who took care of Morgan with such gentle kindness throughout the chaos of the unexpected tragedy.
"They kept Morgan so calm on the couch,GÇ¥ said Jason. "It's just amazing. You always think, "oh there's the cop that gave me a ticket or something,' but these guys, wow.GÇ¥
"And the paramedics,GÇ¥ he continued. "They did all they could.GÇ¥
Jason said that his wife's death has made him appreciate his community more than ever.
When the two first moved to Monroe in 2002, Jason didn't quite know what to think of the place. In the beginning, he found the train to be a distraction as he was trying to sleep. Now, the sound of the train has become a part of his nightly routine.
"At about 11:30 the coyotes start barking. You can hear them out in the fields behind the school, and then you know they've made it to the lake when you hear all the ducks and the geese fly overhead squawking,GÇ¥ said Jason. "By that time I fall asleep. This is just an amazing place.GÇ¥
He has been overwhelmed at the level of support that his family has received from the Monroe community at large, particularly from those in his neighborhood. He is grateful for all those who have taken the time offer a word of comfort, a hug, or a home-cooked meal. He is grateful to Monroe's first responders GÇô both the Monroe Fire Department and the Monroe Police Department GÇô for their level of service to his family.
"You don't know how good of a community you have until something like this happens. I mean, everybody just pulled together GÇô people I don't even know; it's amazing,GÇ¥ said Jason. "I'd say thank you... You know, thank you is just not enough.GÇ¥
One of the officer's wives even stopped by a couple days after the incident.
"She said, "You don't know me, but my husband was at your house,'GÇ¥ said Jason. "And she dropped off food; chili and bread.GÇ¥
Jennifer's parents are planning on staying with Jason and Morgan once he decides to return to work, but for now, he's taking things one day at a time. He wishes he could tell Jennifer that he loves her one last time.
"I just want to let everybody know if you have a loved one or a wifeGǪ Whatever transpires during the day, just always tell them you love them at the end of the night. No matter what,Gǥ said Jason. "Because you never know what's going to happen.Gǥ
Anybody who would like to help support the Dahl family during their time of need is welcome to contribute to a Go Fund Me account created by Deb Lewis, which can be found here: http://www.gofundme.com/JenniferDahl. Jason said that he and Jennifer had discussed obtaining life insurance, but hadn't gotten around to doing so.
"We were looking into it for me because I was the one that was supposed to go first,GÇ¥ said Jason. "She was healthy.GÇ¥
Concerned over finances, Jason took a vehicle back to Rairdon's in Monroe, and was amazed at how kindly he was treated. The dealership agreed to take back his truck in return for paying off the loan in its entirety.
"I just can't thank them enough,GÇ¥ said Jason. "That took a lot of weight off my chest.GÇ¥
A memorial service was held for Jennifer on Saturday, Dec. 13, in Kirkland. To read Jennifer's obituary, or add a memory to her condolence page, please visit: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/seattletimes/obituary.aspx?pid=173432556.
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