With all our love…to Tori - UPDATED
November 9, 2009 | Updates
One of our dearest friends, Tori Schmanski, passed away yesterday. Her website is www.pray4tori.com if you would like to learn more about her.
Honestly, I can hardly hardly see through the tears as I post this, but I wanted others who know her to know of her passing and pray for her family. Tori’s accident was exactly 1 month before Samuel’s. Their accidents were similar. And their brain damage similar. We met her and her family during our original 2-month stay in the hospital. And we have since followed her website closely - keeping in touch with her parents through email. We’ve seen them many times at the hospital and Samuel and I were even privileged to visit her at her home a year or so ago. She and her family are amazing.
I didn’t know Tori before her accident, but have heard so much good about her. And even after her accident, she was extremely beautiful and could steal your heart in an instant. The Schmanski’s have shared so much of the same pains and trials that we have experienced that Tori’s passing hits very, very close to home. I can hardly bear to imagine how difficult this is for her family.
Please keep them in your prayers. And I pray that Tori is truly dancing again - well and whole - as she was before.
Our love to the Schmanski’s,
The Jewkes
UPDATE: Many of you have asked if we know what caused Tori’s passing. All I know is that she died of a viral infection in her home last Saturday. Her website has also been updated with her funeral information if anyone needs it. KSL did a short news story on her today, I believe, and that link is on her blog as well.
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November 9th, 2009 at 7:05 am, Gramma Jewkes Says:
Tori is so beautiful, just like Samuel is so hansome. I pray that the Lord will bless their beautiful family thru this experience. Where did they live? They look like their LDS.
Our hearts ache for them, too.
Lots of love,
Mom and Dad
November 9th, 2009 at 7:52 am, Darlene Says:
Teresa,
I am so sorry to hear about your friend Tori. May Tori’s family and yours have Gods loving arms wrapped around you during these next few days.
In the past week we have lost 7 young people(14-22 yrs old)here as well due to auto accidents and drownings. Last week alone we lost 3 out 7 who were out of state college students(from Canada/California) attending school 100 miles from here. They were out star gazing(a hobby of theirs)in a pasture outside of town and their vehicle ended up driving straight into a pond 10 ft deep,all three were trapped inside their vehicle. They found the bodies of the girls who all died as a result from drowning two days later.
November 9th, 2009 at 10:35 pm, Cynthia Says:
Teresa,
Hey! We sure are thinking of you at this time. I have read about Tori from your link on Samuel’s website. So sorry to hear about this. Can’t imagine what her family is going through.
Cynthia
November 11th, 2009 at 1:43 pm, Natalie Says:
I was just heartbroken to get this news! I remember seeing the Pray4Tori stuff EVERYWHERE when we were up at PCMC with Brea. I have followed her site off and on ever since. I can only imagine the grief that this family is feeling! What a special girl Tori was. She has touched so many lives. My prayers are with them at this time! Love ya, Teresa!
Nat