Obituary of Ami Colleen Sceli

Ami Hallawell Sceli, age 52, passed away November 23, 2015 from complications related to kidney failure. Amy Colleen Hallawell was born July 11, 1963, in Tacoma Washington. She was the third child of her adoptive parents, John G. and Marilyn L. Hallawell. Her kidneys failed when she was 16 years old, forcing her to undergo dialysis for hours at a time three days per week. Her parents and siblings each learned to operate the dialysis machine so Ami could remain at home during her treatment. Her siblings, John B. and Marilyn, were always there for her when she needed them. She received two kidney transplants, and eventually experienced kidney failure twice more. Despite these setbacks, Ami remained hopeful. She was bold and energetic; never afraid to follow her heart. She believed that unconditional love, forgiveness, and humility were the keys to a happy life. She sought spiritual truth, expressed herself creatively through art, and saw the beauty in everything and everyone. Her battle with kidney disease lasted 36 years. She finally left us to join our Father in Heaven. She was a student at Mt. Tahoma High School in the graduating class of1981, and was active on the swim team until she had to leave school due to her illness. Ami earned an Associate of Applied Science degree in Humanities and Literature from Tacoma Community College. She worked at St. Joseph’s Hospital as a Central Sterile Processing Technician from 1992 to 1999. Ami married James Sceli, and together they raised two daughters, Elizabeth Ester Rose Hallawell and Emily Rachel Lynn Sceli. Their births were nothing short of miraculous, since Ami had been told by doctors that she would never conceive a child. She enjoyed watching her daughters become young women, and she was thrilled to attend the wedding of Emily to her husband Michael this past year. Three and a half years ago Ami became a proud grandma when Elizabeth gave birth to Angela. Ami was a great encouragement to her family and her many friends, and she made their happiness her top priority. She was a fan of comedy, and she enjoyed practical jokes. She spent many hours gardening and creating beautiful landscapes. She liked camping and flying kites at the beach. She loved music and live concerts. She recalled attending a Neil Young concert at The Gorge, and referred to it as her “Woodstock”; the most amazing experience of her lifetime. We will never forget her wonderful smile, the gentle look in her eyes, and the way she held us tightly in her warm embrace. We will forever remember her loving presence, and we are thankful that she lived a happy life. After years of fighting for her health, she is finally at peace. We will keep her in our hearts, knowing that she is watching over us with love. A Prayer in Memory of Ami: Father, Make me a channel of thy peace-That where there is hatred, I may bring love; That where there is wrong, I may bring the spirit of forgiveness; That where there is discord, I may bring harmony; That where there is error, I may bring truth; That where there is doubt, I may bring faith; That where there is despair, I may bring hope; That where there are shadows, I may bring light; That where there is sadness, I may bring joy. Father, grant that I may seek rather to comfort than to be comforted; To understand, than be understood; To love, than be loved. For it is by self-forgetting that one finds. It is by forgiving that one is forgiven. It is by dying that one awakens to find -Eternal Life. In Our Father's name we pray, Amen. Ami is survived by her sister, Marilyn Yamanaka (Hallawell); her brother, John B. Hallawell; daughter Elizabeth Hallawell and granddaughter Angela Hallawell; daughter Emily Montemayor (Sceli); her extended family; and many loving friends. She is preceded in death by her parents, John G. and Marilyn L. Hallawell. Services will be held Saturday, December 12, 2015, at two o’clock at McKenna Community Church, 4108 350th St S, Roy, Washington 98580.