By all accounts, Jillian Houston was an amazing human being. A single mom to eight kids, she worked hard at her job as a nurse aid caring for hospitalized patients, all while studying to move up in her career and taking care of her beautiful family. She was passionate about her job and often volunteered to take on difficult patients — the ones most people would try to avoid — because she loved being able to make them smile. Her friends swore that she could make the Grinch himself melt into laughter. As one friend put it, “She just had this depth to her, and this effervescence and positivity that was contagious.” Jillian was a woman full of life, with plenty of love to go around. But then, on September 23, the unthinkable happened: Jillian suffered a massive aneurysm that left her fighting for her life.

The fight that proved too much

Jillian’s aneurysm left her with a herniated cerebellum and little brain stem activity. Her care team was encouraged to see her defy the odds to make great progress initially, eventually able to breathe on her own and respond with hand squeezes to yes or no questions. No doubt she was fighting hard to stay with her eight beloved children: Matt, 22; Tyler, 20; Blake, 18; Samantha, 16; Tessa, 15; Judah, 13; Atticus, 11; and little Ireland, 6. But sadly, the toll the aneurysm took on her body was too great to overcome, and the family said goodbye to Jillian on October 29 after just over a month.

Since then, Jillian’s 22-year-old son Matt Bennett, with help from his dad Sam, has stepped up to make sure his younger siblings are loved and taken care of. He left school in Omaha and has moved back to Lincoln to be with his family, and along with the other older kids, he makes sure everyone gets to school and work on time, attends therapy, and shows up for one another. He’s doing an incredible job, navigating this devastation with poise and strength, but it’s a lot to ask from someone so young who is still processing the loss of his best friend and confidant.

Friends of the family note that Matt and his siblings all have Jillian’s depth, compassion, and resilience. Even though they’re without their biggest cheerleader and best advocate now, her presence lives on in their thoughtfulness, compassion, selflessness, and love of life. The Bennetts were nominated by several different people for a Magic Moment as they face their first holiday without Jillian lighting up their lives. UBT’s Magic Moments team and our incredible partners hope to make the holiday season just a little brighter for the Bennett family during this tough time.

Some light in the darkness

UBT’s first order of business was to help the family secure a venue to host a celebration of life for Jillian. Thanks to Union Adventist University, Jillian’s beloved family and friends will have a place to share stories, laugh, and cry together as they remember their mother, friend, and co-worker who had such an impact on all their lives.

The Bennett family is clearly close-knit and loves spending time together — playing games, going to Holmes Lake to enjoy the outdoors, and playing volleyball are just a few of their favorites. So, we made sure to give them plenty of games and other activities that will keep them having fun together. Some new furniture, lots of clothes, a Costco membership, and gas cards will help ease the financial burden for Matt and his siblings. And we picked out plenty of gifts tailored to each Bennett kid’s unique interests and hobbies, too, so they all know how loved and cared for they are. 

The first holiday after you’ve lost a loved one is never easy, and we know the Bennetts will be hurting without Jillian this year and in the years to come. But we hope that the support of their community and a little extra love from Magic Moments will make it just a little bit easier. We’re wishing the Bennett family so much love this holiday season.

Friends of the Bennett family have established a GoFundMe page to help Matt and the rest of the family with expenses. Please visit the page to learn more or contribute.