Jessica Hanna’s resilient spirit will always be remembered. As a pro-life advocate, she refused to have an abortion when diagnosed with late-stage cancer three years ago, instead opting to fight her illness and treatment so she could give birth to a healthy, happy son. Jessica sadly passed away on April 6 at the age of 41, leaving behind her devoted husband Lamar Hanna and four beloved children.
The couple relied heavily on their faith throughout their journey with cancer. Lamar shared with The Epoch Times that both he and his late wife were confident that no matter what happened, God’s will was perfect. Even when faced with immense pressure from medical professionals to terminate her pregnancy, Jessica held firm in her belief and chose life for her unborn child.
In January 2021, the tumor was successfully removed, but pathology reports revealed that cancer had spread, affecting 43 lymph nodes—making the diagnosis likely terminal. Mrs. Hanna opted for chemotherapy, and after four rounds, she gave birth to a healthy child; Thomas was born on May 30, 2021. Miraculously, post-natal scans showed that Jessica’s cancer had cleared, allowing her several months of peaceful, pain-free time with her family. However, in 2022, the cancer returned more aggressively at stage four.
Jessica and Lamar were proud parents to Christopher, Mary, Joseph, and Thomas—all under the age of nine—and had always wanted a large family. Dedicated to raising their children in a close-knit community and instilling traditional values, they attributed their ability to juggle multiple businesses and a happy home life to the grace of God.
When Jessica embarked on her cancer journey, she once again leaned on her faith and viewed it as an opportunity. She took to social media to share messages of eternal hope and God’s grace, touching many thousands of people with her faith and inspiring outlook. The struggling mom regularly shared her convictions online, advising others who might be suffering like her.
Lamar, a traditional husband who always supported his wife through thick and thin, shared that it was “gut-wrenching” to watch his ailing wife suffer in pain. He said that the feeling of helplessness as he watched his loved one suffer required supernatural graces for him to keep going. It was especially difficult to watch Jessica suffer at the hospital while having to put on a smile for their children when he saw them at home.
The grieving husband and father believes that though suffering is inevitable in life, what’s key is how we face these hardships and pains. Jessica smartly did not waste her suffering and instead turned it into sacrifice,” Mr. Hanna shared. Suffering can be used as a means to detach ourselves from this world, detach us from human consolation because His consolation is far greater.
The family expressed their immense gratitude for the outpouring of love and support at this challenging time. While they continue to grieve the loss of Jessica, her memory will live on through her resilient spirit and unwavering faith.
