Eleanor “Ellie” Stansfield Obituary (2002 - 2020)

It is not often that you get to hold an angel in your arms, but that is what we were blessed to do. Our precious daughter Ellie, sent to us from heaven, passed through the veil of this mortal existence into the loving arms of her Heavenly Father, Savior, and numerous loving family on December 31, 2020 at the age of 18. She graduated this life while inpatient at Primary Children’s Medical Center due to unknown internal bleeding and multi-systems organ failure. Eleanor Grace Stansfield (Ellie) was born June 20, 2002 in Salt Lake City, Utah, sharing a birthday with her Mother. Her parents, Jason and Mikael, were so excited for her arrival, along with her beloved brother Ace. They found out while she was in the womb that she would be faced with challenges, and there were doubts as to whether she would survive. But Ellie proved to be tough from the word go and faced the first days of her life with a tenacity and grit that would become some of her hallmark traits. Ellie loved her family and loved being with them. She came home and her family just loved her. Ace was her constant companion. She was later joined by three awesome sisters; Millie, Tabitha and Sabrina. Ellie loved her amazing siblings and was the best big sister, always letting her sisters use her stuff and borrow her clothes. Ellie continued to thrive, with health setbacks mixed in. Some of her many diagnosis and challenges were: Dandy-Walker Malformation, hydrocephalus, agenesis of the corpus callosum, seizures, cerebral palsy, being deaf and blind (although she could see and hear). Throughout her life she and her family became very acquainted with doctors, hospitals, procedures and medical devices. Her parents and siblings received honorary nursing certifications through the years as they have cared for her (her mom basically has a doctorate in Ellie Studies!). She went to school, working hard on any goal that was placed before her. She amazed us with how incredibly intelligent she was. She learned to count and do math, she could read over 80 words, she could listen to a story and answer comprehension questions. We really feel the limit to her knowledge was only because we didn’t understand what she knew or could do. Ellie graduated from Ogden High School in May of 2020. She actively participated with the Memorial Park Ward in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She earned her Young Women Medallion with the help of others. She had a mortal life full of family, friends, music and learning. Her God-given virtues of patience, trust, love and faith were apparent to all who knew her. She was a people-person, she loved everyone she met. She loved music and would sign “more-more-more” when she liked what she heard. She did not smile very often, but when she did, it meant that much more. You could not help but smile back when she would smile at you. Her smile would brighten any room and ease any burden. She loved warmth and being cozy. She always had a blanket with her. She loved being outdoors in temperate weather. She loved having the sun shining or a light breeze blowing on her. She loved lights, especially brightly colored morphing lights. She loved movement. Some of her favorite activities were swinging, roller skating and running fast in her wheelchair. She loved visiting new or familiar places. She particularly loved visiting her Grandparent’s homes. She soaked in experiences everywhere she went. She had the chance to go rock climbing, bike riding, ziplining, horseback riding, hiking, camping, swimming, rafting, canoeing, riding Lagoon rides and flying to the east coast. She found joy in the smallest things. She appreciated every tiny detail of her life. A trip to the store with Ellie was a wonderful new experience for her each time she went. She taught others to find delight in the smallest things as well, such as a smile, an accomplishment, time spent together and appreciating your blessings. She learned to communicate through body language, switches and eye gaze. She was able to make choices and had preferences. She spoke volumes without ever saying a word. She had many predicted life expectations and labels placed upon her, which she exceeded at every turn. Her physical body may have been limited, but her spirit knew no bounds. She clearly accomplished all that her Heavenly Parents needed her to in mortality and can now continue to grow, develop and serve in Heaven. She relied on her Savior throughout her life and taught others to be more Christ-like. We know that death is but a short separation, and we rejoice that our sweet daughter is now free from the bonds that her body placed her in. Our only real wish is that we could see her run, jump, dance, laugh, speak, sing, hug, see and hear. We know she is continuing to love everyone around her. She has been and will always be such an asset to the Lord’s eternal plan of salvation for others. You don’t raise a daughter like Ellie without a huge amount of support from all kinds of sources. Ellie was blessed to have a support system like no other. Her grandparents are her greatest cheerleaders, always willing to help, constantly there to watch her siblings when needed, never complaining. Her siblings willingly sacrificed many things including vacations, activities, and free time to give to their sister with never a word of complaint. Ward members and friends were always praying and doing many things for Ellie willingly and with great love. Big thank you’s go out to the hundreds of people who have helped Ellie in her journey. Some of these people and organizations include the following. Primary Children’s Dr’s, Nurses, Techs, Respiratory Therapists, cleaning staff and support personnel. Intermountain Home-Care. Shriners Children’s Hospital. Smiths Pharmacy. Ivy Lane Nurses. Division of Services for People with Disabilities. Ogden City School District teachers, staff and support specialists. Tremendous love goes to our amazing respite workers over the years. Some special thank you’s to Dr. Alvin Gabrielson (Pediatrician), Dr. Kathleen Pfeffer (Pulmonologist), Dr. Nancy Murphy (Comprehensive Care Dr), and Dr. Denise Morita (Neurologist). Our most heartfelt love and appreciation are sent to Gina Cash and Christina Meecham, her Communication Intervenors who were there daily at school to help her learn and grow. Another big thanks to Mary Alice Dredge and Nicole Holmstead and Deaf-Blind Services through Utah Schools for the Deaf and Blind who taught us how to communicate with Ellie, without them Ellie’s life would have been dark. She will be lovingly remembered by her parents Robert Jason Stansfield (Jason) and Mikael Gold (Ogden, UT), along with her siblings Acel Jason Stansfield (Ace) (Sydney Hill) (Ogden, UT), Amelia (Millie), Tabitha (Tabby/TK) and Sabrina. She is survived by her wonderful loving Grandparents: Cordell Maurece Gold and Nina Hall (Kaysville, UT), Steven (Steve) Earl Stansfield and Joanne Rebecca Simmon (Layton, UT), Lisa Limon (Ionia, MI). She is dearly loved by Aunts, Uncles, Cousins and extended family members. She was preceded in death by her Grandpa, Robert Lee Limon (Bob) and many other extended family members that we know were so excited to greet her. To honor Ellie, we simply ask that when you run into someone who has a disability, take a moment to say hi to that person and ask them (not their parents) a question or two. We always loved it when people would do that with Ellie. Have courage, these are some of the most precious souls there are. In lieu of flowers please consider donating to the following: Ellie’s parents are starting a non-profit in honor of Ellie. This fund will be used to purchase special needs bikes, switch toys and switches for people with disabilities. These are things that insurance will not pay for. A special needs bike runs about $1000 and a special needs switch toy is about $200. To donate by Venmo, please contact her parents, or you can make a donation at any Mountain America Credit Union under the name “Remembering Ellie”. There will be a viewing at Myers Mortuary (845 Washington Blvd, Ogden UT 84404) on Friday January 8, 2021 from 6 PM-8 PM. All are invited. Only 10 people will be allowed in the building at a time. Social distancing will be enforced, and masks are required. Please stay home if you are sick or have been exposed to Covid. There will be a viewing by invitation only at Myers Mortuary (845 Washington Blvd, Ogden UT 84404) on Saturday January 9, 2021 from 9:45 AM-10:45 AM. The funeral service will follow at 11 AM at Myers Mortuary, this will also be by invitation only. Numbers will be limited. Social distancing will be enforced, and masks are required. Please stay home if you are sick or have been exposed to Covid. The funeral service will be live streamed on Saturday January 9 at 11 AM through the following link: Topic: Eleanor “Ellie Stansfield Funeral ServiceTime: Jan 9, 2021 11:00 AM Mountain Time (US and Canada) Join Zoom Meetinghttps://us04web.zoom.us/j/72811487692?pwd=cDN4K3R5YUFOaWs5RmJ0VjdxWkw5Zz09 Meeting ID: 728 1148 7692Passcode: qAyvM9 Interment and dedication of the grave will be at Leavitt’s Aultorest Memorial Park (836 36th St. Ogden UT 84403) and will be by invitation only.