St. Joseph Elementary teacher honored for helping parents of stillborn babies

IC photo/Marie Mischel

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Jessica Kradel (third from right), who received the 2021 Outstanding Woman Award from the Auberge at North Ogden, is presented with a check from representatives of the senior living community; also shown are members of Kradel's family who attended the presentation. The event was held at St. Joseph Elementary School, where Kradel teaches.

OGDEN — May 21 was a normal Friday noontime at St. Joseph Elementary School. After the students were safely headed home, Principal Nancy Essary called the teachers to a meeting. First-grade teacher Jessica Kradel joined her colleagues in the classroom where the meeting was being held, then was surprised when her husband, children and parents entered.

She didn’t have long to wonder about their appearance, as representatives of the Auberge at North Ogden assisted living center called Kradel forward to present her with their 2021 Outstanding Woman Award.

Haeli Barlow, the Auberge’s marketing director, said the members of the resident council decided for Women’s History Month in February “to learn about some amazing women who have contributed to the community.” The council members selected Kradel for the award after receiving a nomination written by her mother, Connie Dooley.

The nomination read in part: “Jessica delivered a stillborn baby boy, Henry John, on Feb. 6, 2020. She was devastated, as any mother would be, but she turned this life changing event around and is now helping other parents who are experiencing this same tragedy. Jessica was able to raise over $4,000 in less than two months and purchased a Cuddle Cot for Ogden Regional Medical Center’s maternity ward. The cot allows the deceased baby to be in the same room as the parents, which gives the family more time to be with the baby before they have to hand him/her over to the mortuary. The cot has a cooling device which allows the baby’s body to stay preserved and not break down as fast. When Jessica delivered Henry, the hospital did not have one, and he was only able to stay with her for a few hours before she had to send him to the morgue. After the hospital received the cot, she also made blankets for the cot so the family had something their child was wrapped in and could take home with them. All during this time, Jessica kept teaching (both in the classroom and online) and helped other grieving parents who needed someone to help them through their grief.”

In an interview, Dooley said her daughter raised the funds by asking for donations through the Facebook page “Hugs from Henry,” and also had a T-shirt fundraiser.

After reading the nomination at the May 21 award presentation, Barlow said, “We cannot think of a more worthy recipient for this award.” She then presented Kradel with a gift basket and check.