Dear friends and extended family,
It has been over five months since our precious girl lost her courageous fight against brain cancer. On Dec. 11, 2014, the horrific disease proved to be more than her mind and body could endure.
We want you to know that Isabelle was a loving and amazing girl. She was a good student, competitive dancer, Girl Scout, loving daughter, and a granddaughter. She loved animals, family, friends, and dancing, among other things. She loved life, having fun, and she smiled a lot.
When she was diagnosed in January 2014, she was determined to fight the disease and live each day with a positive attitude. She worried that when her friends and classmates found out, they would treat her differently. We want to take this opportunity to thank her friends and classmates for their love and compassion, and for treating her the same way they did before her diagnosis. She never wanted special treatment or special recognition because of her illness.
We have many to thank for the love and support they gave Isabelle:
- Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago
- First Baptist Church of Oak Park
- Panda Studios
- The Wendy City Dancers and Families
- District 97
- Girl Scout Troop 40394
- CAST Summer
- Pav YMCA
- Girls on the Run
- The Illinois Chapter of Make A Wish Foundation
- Give Kids the World Village
And to everyone who loved and supported Isabelle and our family, we say thank you and we will never forget what you did for her.
Isabelle attended Lincoln Elementary School in Oak Park for almost six years, and would have graduated from the fifth grade in the coming weeks. She was a member of the Girl Scouts, the 5th Grade Service Team, and a Book Buddy to a kindergarten student. We would like to specially thank the Lincoln staff and families for all their love and support.
Isabelle was awarded the Oak Park Optimist Club Award representing Lincoln School on Nov. 18, 2014. On May 14, 2015, the Illinois State Senate adopted a resolution honoring Isabelle and celebrating her life, which was brought forward by state Senator Don Harmon.
Her friends at Lincoln School are dedicating a tree to her in adjacent Carroll Park. They will have a lemonade stand at Lincoln School on May 27 at 2 p.m. to raise funds for the memorial plaque. Her fifth grade classmates are dedicating their May 29 talent show to the memory of Isabelle, with a special tribute at the end of the program.
We thank all of you for everything you have done.
The family of Isabelle Schuyler-Sue Jones
Oak Park