Meet Elder and Sister Wilkey. When we came, we learned that they would be coming to serve in our mission for a second time! They had previously served in Siena where Elder Wilkey was the branch president. When they put their papers in for another mission, they were once again called to our mission and we were blessed to know them.
President Acerson sent them to the southern end of the mission to Battipaglia. Here's a picture with the missionaries who were there when they arrived. Just to give you some perspective of the passing of time, Elder Welch was fairly new at the time and will be going home in a couple of days.
Elder Wilkey served as a counselor in the branch while they were there. They worked closely with members, helped missionaries with lessons, and fed everyone! They added a bright spot to the mission.
While they were there, Sister Wilkey discovered cancer in her jaw. They found out that one of the best places to treat this type of cancer was in Milan. President and Sister Dunaway of the Italy Milan Mission hosted them at the mission home during some of their surgeries and treatments there.
It was truly amazing how dedicated they were to the mission and did not want to go home. Members and non-members alike rallied around them and it seemed to bring them all a bit closer. However, after a while, the cancer returned and they decided it would be best to go home and continue treatments there.
She was told the treatments would be long and painful, but she said, of course, she wanted to fight it. She wanted to live. Sadly, after months of treatments, she worsened and entered hospice around the 23rd of February. At noon on March 3rd, our beloved and courageous Sister Wilkey passed on. Elder Wilkey wrote the following:
Dear Friends,
It is with great regret that I write to inform you of the passing of Jessica at noon today. She has been a wonderful wife and mother and will be sorely missed by all of us who were associated with her.
As you will be aware she has suffered for the past 12 months and although saddened by her passing we know that she has gone to a far better place and that we shall see her again in due time.
We love you, Elder Wilkey and admire your strong faith.
A few days later, he sent the following and I have included it for your information:
Friends,
Thank you all for your messages of condolences and heartfelt love for Jess. I have now arranged the funeral of Jess for Wednesday 18th March 2009 at 11.30am. The funeral will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Forest Hill, Yeovil. You are all welcome to attend but may I request that no flowers are sent and that anyone who wishes to can make a donation to St Margaret's Hospice, Yeovil where Jess was very well cared for in the last two weeks of her life.
Love and best wishes,
Ron
Thank you to Elder and Sister Wilkey for blessing the lives of others. It was an honor to be able to serve with such valiant missionaries!
