Shantisha "Tisha" Lindsey Sessions' Obituary
Shantisha Lindsey Sessions
1986 - 2017
Shantisha was born on the 25th of June 1986 in Provo Utah. She came into the Lynn and Nancy Sessions family when she was just nine months old, as a Utah State foster child. Lynn, Nancy and son Cory quickly bonded with the beautiful blond hair, blue eye child. Tisha was usually happy, playful and sometimes loved to just be silly.
When Tisha was 27 months old, the Sessions family was able to formally adopt her and she was soon sealed in the Provo LDS Temple. Several years later, another daughter (Chonsie) also joined the family so that the family totaled five.
Tisha grew up in Orem, surrounded by friends, school mates and family. As she approached adulthood, she was the tallest, skinniest, blondest member of a rather short, dark haired Sessions family. (She loved pointing that fact out.)
Tisha graduated from Timpanogoes High School in Orem as well as the high school LDS Seminary. Tisha then moved to Clovis California to live with her aunt and uncle, Diane and Greg Humann, while attending Clovis Community College. She was there for several years before moving back to Orem where she attended Utah Valley University in Orem. It was during this time that physical problems began to appear. It was soon necessary to move her back home and discontinue some activities such as riding a bike or driving.
Multiple doctors could not determine what might be causing her physical problems and we struggled for several years to find the problem while Tisha’s health continued to deteriorate. One day, in a rather miraculous answer to prayers, Sister Margaret Brough mentioned Huntington’s Disease as a possible cause. After checking the symptoms for Huntington’s Disease, we insisted that Tisha be tested for this rare disease. The tests came back from the Mayo Clinic indicating Juvenile Onset Huntington’s Disease, an even rarer condition.
While we were relieved to finally know the cause of Tisha’s deteriorating condition, we were also saddened to find that there was no possible cure for this disease.
Tisha lived at home for several years, being as active as her body would let her be until she was only able to spend her time quietly putting jigsaw puzzles together, drawing and watching videos in her bedroom. Finally it was necessary to move her into a care facility where she could be attended to 24 hours a day. There she made many friends with the staff with her big smile while continuing to draw and put puzzles together. Finally, she was unable to do even simple tasks and the puzzles were put away. The last six months of her life was extremely painful. She was at the Orchard Park Care Center for two year and two weeks before her spirit was allowed to leave her pain wracked body and return to her eternal home.
Tisha passed away the evening of July 31st, 2017 surrounded by her family who love her, who will miss her sweet smile and who are eternally grateful for the knowledge that she has returned to a special place where she can again sing, dance and run freely. Her life was short but she taught us many things about patience and being happy even when suffering.
What’s your fondest memory of Shantisha?
What’s a lesson you learned from Shantisha?
Share a story where Shantisha's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Shantisha you’ll never forget.
How did Shantisha make you smile?
