March 31, 2011
Stacey Janel Henry was born August 1st, 1982 as the youngest of three children. As the family story goes, Dad was so excited about the new addition, he missed the turn off for the hospital three times! They did manage to finally get there and just five minutes later, Stacey arrived into the world at 4:02am weighing 7 pounds and 8 1/2 ounces.
Growing up with two brothers wasn't always easy! She often found herself having to keep up with them and Mommy's little princess quickly turned into Mommy's little Tom Boy. She exchanged tea sets and tiaras for indoor soccer, softball and tae kwon do. She loved being around her brothers and it wasn't long before she became an honorary member of their Boy Scout troop. The three Henry kids spent summers camping in the backyard and inventing all kinds of other outdoor games designed to drive poor mom crazy.
Stacey attended Chatfield High School in Littleton, CO. With her brother's now out of the house, she had time to focus on her own interests. Stacey was a true animal lover, having grown up with many pets, and decided to turn her passion into profit. She got a job working at Pet City in the Southwest Plaza Mall. The family was really happy for her, until right after Easter when she returned home from a shift with two little bunnies. The store owner had asked her to feed all the animals, including the snakes. Since Stacey had recently become a vegetarian, she decided that if she could give up meat, so could the snakes. Thus began a new generation of pets in the Henry House. At times animals outnumbered the people and Dad was forced to create new ways to house them. After a roughly a year at Pet City, the decision was made. Time to find a new job, there was no more room at the Inn!
Soon it was the year 2000 and Stacey was finishing high school. She had been driving older MR2's since she got her license and had been secretly hoping for something a little cuter. Perhaps the hope wasn't so secret but as a reward for her strength and courage during various treatments, Mom and Dad bought her a 2001 Volkswagen Beetle. The car was everything Stacey could hope for and she put her touch on it with flowery seat covers and fuzzy dice hanging from the rear view. She called the car “Puck” because its maroon striped reminded her of the Colorado Avalanche, her favorite hockey team.
Around this time Stacey enrolled in Denver's Bel Rae Institute to become a Veterinary Technician. She was thrilled to help animals and her parents were thrilled that all these animals already had owners (Except for the pair of ferrets that were left outside the vet's office.) Good thing Dad had designed a cage that could house rabbits, guinea pigs and ferrets.
Stacey was enjoying school and work and even took a short trip to Vegas for her 21st birthday. And remember, what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas!
In the following years, Stacey began to feel the effects of living with diabetes. She took it all in stride and never complained about complications. She would eventually have to leave Bel Rae, but always promised that she would go back as soon as she felt better.
Life was not always easy for Stacey but she still found ways to enjoy every day. She avidly watched Judge Judy with her very large cat named Beans. During every hospital stay, all the nurses knew never to bother her at 4pm. She had a love for music and probably single handily kept ITunes in business. Even though she loved her collection of hoodies, sweatpants and those crazy socks with the separate toes, Stacey’s loved those few chances to dress like a princess. She traveled to Seattle to be a bridesmaid in her older brother’s wedding and an acted as an honorary bridesmaid at a friend’s wedding in New Mexico.
Although Stacey never did return to school, she found other ways to help those animals she loved so much. She started by adopting a little dog from Foothills Animal Shelter. A bit timid and shy at first, the love Stacey gave turned Lily into a playful and wonderful dog. Seeing this direct impact inspired Stacey to bring home two other puppies. First came Frankie, a tiny little pug puppy and most recently Annie, another slightly older pug from the National Mill Dog Rescue. Her love for animals was forever present in Stacey until her final days, made obvious by the pictures plastering the walls of her hospital room.
She was equally as compassionate and caring about all the people who entered her life. Her generous and caring spirit was forever present in her. She had such compassion for those who were less fortunate than her. One would never hear Stacey complain, nor would they hear her ask for anything. She always wanted for others before herself. Stacey lived each and every day to its fullest. She loved life as much as life loved her. Her kindness for others and animals brought warmth to the coldest of people.
Stacey was a very special person at all of us. She was strong, beautiful and full of character. She had a heart of gold that shined through the darkest of days.
After 26 years of fighting diabetes, Stacey lost her battle on Tuesday, March 29 at the age of 28.
She will be laid to rest in the Pavilion Garden at Olinger Crown Hill Cemetery in Wheat Ridge, CO next to a babbling brook where she will forever be surrounded by the beauty of Colorado’s nature.