Jessica Dalliday
A mother, friend, and barrier breaker.
Jess made it her mission to empower women, and challenge societal norms. She shared her strength through vulnerability.
Mom Tribe
I met Jess in a mom and baby workout class. We both had baby girls who were born within weeks of each other. It was there, that we met three other moms and built our “Mom Tribe”. The five of us, with our babies, navigated the unknowns of parenthood together, sharing the highs, lows, and everything in-between. In 2021 we were all expecting our second babies. We couldn’t believe it, and joked about Mom Tribe 2.0.
Strength in vulnerability
Jess was the first to share the hard stuff. She spoke her truth, and her vulnerability created a safe and open space. She had a blog where she shared her struggles with infertility and body image. She bravely told her story, and related to so many. Jess created Pilates On Demand - an online workout platform, an inclusive and new age approach to fitness. She had big dreams, and she chased them all. She embodied strength through vulnerability, and was a world changer.
April 1, 2021.
Jess had been updating the Mom Tribe chat regularly. Everyone was filled with anxious excitement awaiting baby Dalliday’s arrival at any moment. Jess had a feeling she would have a precipitous delivery, so calling 911 was loosely part of the plan for her. While at work, I overheard the 911 call for a woman in labor. This was only minutes after receiving a message from Jess in the Mom Chat. Excitedly, I listened and heard the address, confirming it was Jess. I watched as my coworkers hopped in the ambulance, to go to her. This is the moment where excitement for new life, turned to unthinkable loss. As details flooded in, I became numb. I couldn’t process what I was hearing. Jess was in cardiac arrest. The paramedics who I was chatting with only a few minutes prior were now working to save Jess and her baby.
Jess experienced an Amniotic Fluid Embolism. A very rare pregnancy complication, with extremely high mortality for both mom and baby. Jess’ daughter, Angeline, did not survive. Jess died 5 days later.
We had our last Mom Tribe chat via Face time. We told Jess just how much we loved her, how much she meant to us, and how she changed our lives.
Losing Jess changed my perspective on life. It broke me to pieces, and now I’m putting them back together. As I do, I am reordering my whole life. Placing love, joy, and family at the very top. In the end, it’s all that matters.
“The universe works in mysterious ways, but if you remain open and ready for anything, I promise you will get exactly what you need”
- Jessica Dalliday