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Steckler remembered as an 'angel'
Published Thursday, November 8, 2007
NATCHEZ — The first thing people noticed about Jennifer Steckler was her smile.
“Everybody talks about her smile,” Suzanne Williams said. “She had a radiant smile. I think that’s what people will always remember about her and think about first.”
But her smile was more than just an expression — it was how she lived her life.
Williams was one of several who came together to show their support when Steckler was diagnosed with leukemia.
The group, dubbed Team Steckler, hosted fundraisers and sold T-shirts to fund her medical expenses.
“We wanted to give it all to her, but she asked us to donate the money to other people,” Williams said. “That was the type of person she was.”
Steckler died Tuesday at Natchez Regional Medical Center.
Steckler was always thinking of others.
“She was active in anything and everything that was good,” lifelong friend Erin Williams Barham said. “If it was something to benefit others, Jennifer was there, either in charge of heading it up or volunteering.”
Steckler’s cheerful and giving outlook didn’t stop when she was diagnosed.
“She was exceptional, absolutely exceptional,” Barham said. “She had the best attitude. She was never down, never negative. She was always just Jennifer.”
Steckler’s approach to cancer and to helping others by raising awareness was inspirational.
“A lot of people would blame God or question God or wonder why it happened to them,” Barham said. “She never looked at it as being done to her. She continued to pray and ask for prayers from other people. It made her stronger to do that.
“She never wavered in her belief in God. I think she saw it as her burden, something she was given to do in this life just like she did anything else. She approached it with grace and dignity.”
Steckler and her attitude toward life won’t be forgotten, Barham said. She touched every person she met.
“She was an angel,” Barham said. “Anybody on earth who knew her knew an angel. No one will ever meet anyone like Jennifer Steckler.”
Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday at St. Mary Basilica.
Comments
Posted by NtzMom55 (anonymous) on November 8, 2007 at 10:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)
May the Lord continue to carry the Steckler family in his loving arms. The Steckler's have had an abundance of tragedy in recent years, yet they continue to walk with faith. God Bless the Steckler family. My prayers are with you....again.
Posted by truck0724 (anonymous) on November 8, 2007 at 11:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Jennifer was the closest thing to an angle on Earth that I've had the pleasure of knowing.
Posted by mamaw (anonymous) on November 9, 2007 at 8:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I met the steckler family years ago when we worked at the hunting camp. The Steckler family as a whole are people if you ever have the chance to meet you will never forget. Dr, Steckler was a very special man and raised his children to be just the same. Jennifer was a very sweet girl and always had a smile for others.Our prayers go out to your family in your time of loss. Susan Dawson
Posted by judy9205 (anonymous) on November 9, 2007 at 1:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Sending out love and prayers to Steckler family, friends, Cathedral School and St. Mary Catholic Church. Jennifer is indeed an angel much loved by all and greatly missed by everybody. God Bless the Steckler Family and you are in my thoughts and prayers. Judy Whittington
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