Angel Ellie

Our sweet niece, Ellie, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, August 31 at 15 months old.  Our hearts are so heavy for Rachel & Scott.  Ellie was a precious gift, and loved by many!!  Rachel was the perfect mother for Ellie and she is a great example to me.  We are so lucky to have known Ellie in the short time she was here.  

"…the spirits of those who are righteous are received into a state of happiness, which is called paradise, a state of rest, a state of peace, where they shall rest from all their troubles and from all care, and sorrow." - Alma 40:12

"The Lord takes many away, even in infancy, that they may escape the envy of man, and the sorrows and evils of his present world; they were too pure, too lovely, to live on the earth."  - Joseph Smith

Ellie loved bubbles!  We have been blowing lots of bubbles in her memory over the last couple weeks.  Hopefully some bubbles made it up to heaven and kissed her on the nose from all of us.  "May every bubble that we see bring an Ellie memory!" #bubblesforellie

For more details, Rachel has shared Ellie's story on their blog (same blog, new name!):  http://bubblesforellie.blogspot.com

Ellie's Obituary:

Our sweet angel, Ellie Jane Murray, returned to her Heavenly Father on Sunday, Aug. 31, after 15 months of a beautiful but challenging life. She was born May 16, 2013, in American Fork, UT, to Scott Aaron and Rachel Hale Murray.

Diagnosed with Trisomy 4p, a rare chromosomal disorder, Ellie faced a life of physical challenges, but she fought fiercely to overcome her trials and amazed all with what she accomplished. She had a happy disposition, big smiles and a spirit that radiated and put life in perspective for those close to her. People who interacted with Ellie wanted to be better because of knowing her and feeling her spirit. She was loved deeply by her brothers and sister, her parents, grandparents and extended family members. Her mother, father, and Grandma Nancy considered it a privilege and blessing to provide her with around-the-clock care throughout her life.

The family thanks the many doctors, nurses and healthcare workers who helped Ellie, particularly Primary Childrens Hospital, Dr. Bradley Andersons office and Kids on the Move.
Survivors include her parents; her siblings Mason, Brynn and Miles; Grandparents Michael and Linda Murray (Woodland Hills) and Val and Nancy Hale (Orem); Great-grandparents Wallace and Bonnie Allred (Orem) and Shirlee Thompson (Salt Lake City); and many loving aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Picture of Scott & Ellie from Rachel's instagram

This last picture was Brandon's photoshop creation.  All the kids have especially loved this picture, because it helps them visualize that Ellie is now with Jesus Christ.  It helps us adults understand too.

Ellie Jane Murray, May 16, 2013 - August 31, 2014

Ellie's Viewing

Ellie's Memorial Service

An Unexpected Utah Trip

It was certainly a whirlwind.  I felt as if I was in a daze all week.  And regular life got put on complete hold while we did everything we could to make everything perfect for Ellie, because that is what she deserved.  And everything really did turn out perfectly for her.

My heart was (and still is) broken for Rachel & Scott.  I certainly didn't know what to say, and I couldn't imagine what they must be feeling.  I was so glad to arrive to Utah on Thursday and just be near them and their sweet kids.  I watched them all week as they comforted everyone else around them.  They knew all the right things to say.  They made many difficult decisions, and were very mature.  They were incredibly grateful and thankful to everyone for all that was being done.

Rachel & Scott's friends were amazing, proactive, and generous.  And the ward members were so loving and serviceable to all of us.  So many prayers were being said on our behalf, and that is what likely carried us all through the week.

I am so grateful for my Hale family.  We are a good team, and I am so grateful that we have each other.  My Parker family was amazing too - they worked around our schedule, were very understanding and helped so much with the kids.

I am SO grateful that the Murray's let me help and gave me assignments - because I desperately needed something to do.  It was a healing process for me to make video slide shows of her life for the family and for the viewing.  I cried and cried while listening to songs and pouring over pictures of sweet, little Ellie.  I was happy to help make the program what they wanted and was honored to take some pictures to try to capture what we were all feeling.  My sister-in-law, Kacie, made Ellie's beautiful dress and deserves the credit for the displays at the viewing.  Our talents complimented one another, and we were so glad to help and be involved.

I am also very appreciate to my friends who helped get us out the door.  A friend brought in dinner, my visiting teacher provided me with presents for the kids during the drive and travel binders full of activities for them to do.  The kids asked me who made them - how did they know that I didn't make them?  :) Another friend, ran an errand for me and others helped me find the most lovely songs for the slideshows.  It was a group effort, for sure.

Brandon was a big support during everything as well.  We helped each other as we grieved in our own ways.  He let me work and get stuff done.  He picked up the pieces around me as the week went on.  He was able to drive with us one way, and let me catch up on much needed sleep in the car.  He did a good job clearing his work scheduled towards the end of the week, so he could help where needed.  And our kids did quite well considering the circumstances.  I felt like they knew Ellie because they had been praying for her for the last 15 months.  During Ellie's life, every prayer my children said included her in it.  We are helping them transition now to please bless Rachel and Scott and our Murray cousins in Omaha, and helping our kids understand that we will all get to see Ellie again one day!

Gardening with Nana

Look at these cute cousins!

Playing in Nana's fairy garden after playing on the zipline

At the cemetery near Ellie's plot - it is the most amazing spot

Rachel discovered kind of a fun pattern with the Hale cousin ages right now:  Kendall & Cole - 1, Miles - 2, Andrew - 3, Chase - 4, Brynn - 5, Rachel - 6, Kennedy & Mason 7, Cannon - 8

Kendall & Hailey - just a few months apart

It was such a fun surprise to see my dear friend, Chrissy at the viewing!  Her and her husband happened to be in Utah for interviews and made the effort to come down.  They are in the same ward as the Murray's in Omaha (Chrissy is the Primary President to about a kajillion kids!) and they used to be in our last ward here in Arizona until we both moved.  It was so good to see her, and she is one of the nicest people I know.  

Ellie's cousins and siblings who all love her very much!

I sure do love this family of mine!  And can someone please tuck in that little boy's shirt!? :)