July 8, 2013-June 14, 2023
Our beautiful daughter Angela Amy Jessop, age 9, passed away on June 14, 2023, after a long and painful battle with a neurodegenerative disease called PKAN.
Angie and her twin sister Aubrey were born on July 8, 2013, in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Noreen Zitting Jessop and Lester Ray Jessop. At 5 days old, Angie had open heart surgery, and Lester stayed at her side while Noreen cared for Aubrey. This began an everlasting bond between Angie and her dad. Angie was a fighter, and they soon came home, but by then it was already clear that Angie had claimed Lester as her own.
In spite of their unique personalities, Angie and Aubrey were inseparable. Aubrey was the leader and Angie followed, helping with dishes, stealing Daron’s toys or pulling every single shoe out of their momma’s closet. Where Aubrey was a girly-girl, Angie was a free spirit, loving the wind in her face, hair flying, cruising on Lester’s dirt bike, camping or any wild adventure that involved her daddy’s undivided attention.
Angie was sassy, hard-headed, fierce and funny. She was obsessed with shoes and socks, jewelry, purses and especially books. But more, she was passionate about music. Angie loved singing and would dance all night if she could. Her final dance was at a Blackhawk concert last weekend. Lester tried to shut the party down, but she wouldn’t have it. They danced until after midnight, Lester juggling long-legged Angie in his arms, her eyes focused in complete adoration on her daddy.
Angie has been living in two worlds – both here with her parents, and off with her angel brother and sister. After Aubrey’s passing three weeks ago, a few things that would soothe Angie’s grief were listening to her momma sing and holding her new brother Liam. We knew Angie would soon be following her sister once more. Their hearts and stories are one, with their doting parents, their mischievous escapades and their courageous battle with PKAN. Now they are together again, along with Big D, spreading love and rainbows.
Angie took a big chunk of our world with her. Our hearts and lives will never be the same. We are once again grateful for our friends and family who have offered love and support during Angie’s transition. Angie is preceded in death by her big brother Daron and her sister Aubrey. She is survived by her parents Noreen, Lester and Helen, her little brothers Jayden and Liam and many grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, June 23, at noon at Spilsbury Mortuary in St. George, Utah. There will be a viewing at Spilsbury Mortuary on Thursday, June 22, from 6-8 p.m., and again on Friday from 10 a.m.-noon. Interment will be in the Tonaquint Cemetery.
Arrangements are under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 S Bluff St., St. George, 435-673-2454. Family and friends are invited to sign Angela Jessop’s online guest book.