April 23rd, The Day of Services and Celebrations for Jen

Jennifer was laid to rest at the Santa Cruz Memorial Cemetery in a lovely spot.


Afterward we went to the beach to have amazing BBQ and vegetable crudite and desserts. Then lots of people got suited up to go on the Paddle Out with Matthew, Grace is here helping him with the flowers to take out.


There were about 40 people who went in the water.


They made a circle, threw flowers and splashed and splashed in celebration of Jen.

Jen's Obituary

Jennifer Callahan was born on December 13, 1962 in Honolulu and grew up filled with the Aloha spirit on Maui. After high school she moved to Santa Cruz and met the love of her life, Peter, and built a family in Corralitos. Jen found great joy in raising her children, creating an amazing circle of friends and serving the community, always active in school fundraisers and church activities to help those in need. (She was even a soft touch for any wayward pet.) Jen dreamed of a world full of peace, without strife, and lived every day to make it happen. On April 17 Jennifer was taken away from us all too soon but we always find peace in remembering how she made us laugh and brought joy to all of our lives.

Jen is survived by her husband Peter Callahan, and her wonderful children Grace Callahan and Matthew Williamson Callahan, her mother, Jane Thompson, sister Julia Frey, father John Elliott, brothers Jeff, John and Josh Elliott and sister Heather Metcalf and cousin Joel Elliott.

A Rosary service was held Tuesday, April 22, 7pm. Memorial Mass was celebrated Wednesday April 23 10:30am. Following the services on Wednesday, family and friends gathered at Seacliff Beach to honor Jen with a luau.

Last Couple Of Photos

I forgot I had two other photos to upload to the Yay We Are Done With Chemo! portion of the blog...

Last bag of chemo drugs:


Jen and Renee, one of the three nurses:


All the nurses were very kind, Renee and Kendra and ooooooh dang, I can't remember the third nurse's name -- Kelly? Anyway, they were all super nice. Renee kept accidentally ringing all the emergency bells on each patient's chairside table. We kept laughing about how many angels were getting their wings that day.

Nini/Julia

Jen's Final Chemo is Done! Hooray!

The day went as usual with the kind nurses and other super nice patients. When Jen was done, the nurses gave her a certificate of completion with nice personal notes from them both. I, of course, had to cry (that's my job in this family) because I was so glad it was all over. And all I ever did was just sit there!

There are a couple more pictures, but the internet and Blogger are slowing me down...they'll get put up later.

So even though Jen's chemo is done, don't stop sending happy thoughts and good wishes her way, they are always always welcome.

More to come!

Julia/Nini

Chemo #5 Done! Happy New Year!

Tuesday was Chemo #5 which means only one more to go! Jennifer is feeling good and her white counts are excellent and the doctor says there will be no need to do radiation. All good news to start the new year!

Barbara T. came to visit again, eating her guest share of tootsie-pops lolli-pops. (It will be put on her tab.) Matthew and Peter came along as well, Matthew hanging out for most of the time we were there.




Matthew's reward for hanging out was a trip to Maui! He flew out yesterday and is staying with Mom and Jack, golfing, tennising and hopefully surfing.

Here's your intrepid blogger on the phone with afore mentioned Mom:


Now we just need to figure out how to celebrate after the last chemo on the 29th!

Keep sending the love and prayers and happy thoughts, Jen loves them all!

Happy New Year!

Today's quote:
"When you are through changing, you are through." Bruce Barton

More Photos from Jen's Chemo Day

Yesterday Jen sat next to Claudette, a sweet woman we have seen at each chemo. She goes 5 days in a row, every 3 weeks. This was her last week so we gave her big hugs and hoorays for a cancer free new year!



Grace and Gammo hung out in front after we ate lunch.


Grace is a pretty girl.


Today (at my request) we are going to Carmel to window shop and have a lovely lunch.

Here's today's good health quote:
You can set yourself up to be sick, or you can choose to stay well. -- Wayne Dyer

Chemo #4 Down!

Today was Jen's Chemo #4--and it went quick, hooray! We had lots of visitors come by, Grace went and got sandwiches and lunch from Severino's again -- YUM! I've been telling everyone that my sister is doing well...but you can judge for yourself:


And either Blogger or is slow or this internet connection is so no more photos at the moment -- check back again later!

Thanks for all the visits and love and prayers, Jen loves and appreciates it.

More soon!

Nini