It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the loss of a beloved daughter, sister, mother, wife, aunt, and friend. After fighting cancer for more than five years, Jessica Halley passed away, surrounded by her loving family on September 4, 2024 at the age of 38 years old.

Jessica Marie Rabago was welcomed into the world by her parents, Robert Rabago and Sharon Witters, and her older sister, Emily Rabago, in Fortuna, on June 13, 1986. A “born and raised” Humboldt native, Jessica grew up as an active member in her community.

In 2007, she began what would be a lifelong career at Kay Jewelers in the Bayshore Mall. She became manager of the store in 2011, and received multiple awards and recognition of achievements including Kay Jewelers Training Manager of the year in 2016, and Manager of the Year in 2018. Many who knew and loved her, met her in that store. Everyone who’s known Jessica can attest that while she took great pride in exemplifying excellence in her career, her greatest achievement was her family.

On September 9th, 2013, Jessica married Kurtis Halley at the Witters Family Vineyard. In addition to saying “I do” at the altar, she joyfully said “I do” to a lifetime of being a second mom to her “bonus daughter,” Nevaeh. Together, and with an excited big sister, Nevaeh, Jessica and Kurtis welcomed their son, Calan. Two years later, their second daughter Rilynn was born. While their little family was finished growing, it turns out it wasn’t quite complete. Not soon after Rilynn was born, Jess’s sister Emily welcomed her little girl, Ellie to the pack. The new built-in besties grew up more like siblings than cousins. Both of the Rabago sisters were mother and auntie to everyone. Their family superpower is and always will be loving people as their own.

The Halley family settled in Hydesville, where Jessica poured her heart and soul into everything she did. While she was a remarkable boss and friend, her true motivation stemmed from her desire to create a nurturing home for her babies. Every achievement she chased was birthed from her love for them, and her commitment to give them everything she could. She and her family built an incredible support system, brick by brick. She left this earth surrounded by more love than any one person could fathom. She would want nothing more than to express overwhelming gratitude to everyone who rallied around her and her family during her fight.

Jessica’s legacy is one of love and sacrifice. She fought cancer head on for every last second she could get with her children, here on earth. What kept Jess strong, next to her longing to be with her kids, was her faith. Even in the depths of how unfair this was to her and her family, she never became bitter at her creator or His plan. She leaned into the comfort of knowing that His hands were on her and her family. She never wavered. One of her favorite scriptures is Psalms 46:10; “Be still and know that I am God.” Whenever uncertainty or fear tried to rush in, she was steadfast in her ability to stand still and know that God had her.

Jess lives on in Humboldt, forever permeating these grounds. Not just in the eyes and giggles of her children, but woven through the very fabric of the earth. The ocean breeze carries her breath, and the serenity of the crashing waves is the peace you feel in her presence. The redwoods, having been rooted for centuries, only wish they had her strength. Each one, just like us, stands a little taller having known her. Every bit of sunshine through the fog is her smiling at you on your worst day, telling you everything is going to be okay. The skies are as big as her heart, and the sunsets are only half as beautiful.

Our Jess is forever loved and forever remembered.

The family is hosting a Celebration of Life service on January 11, 2025 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at The Gene Lucas Community Center —  3000 Newburg Road, Ste. C,  Fortuna CA 95540.