Sheinelle Jones on Explaining Grief to Kids After Husband’s Death

Sheinelle Jones is reflecting on her unimaginable loss.

The cohost discussed today how she’s been guiding her children – Kayin, 16, and twins Clara and Uche, both 13 – through their grieving process after the passing of her spouse, Uche Ojeh.

Sheinelle expressed in her September 5 interview on Today that one of the challenges she faces is the desire to retreat and have some quiet time, such as staying in bed, closing the door, ignoring her phone calls, and simply sitting. This could be a wonderful escape for her, she said.

She added, “But I can’t do that, ’cause I have three little beings who are watching me.”

Through her personal journey, Sheinelle was able to gain a fresh perspective that she could share with her children, who are still young.

The woman compared grief to continuous rain, suggesting that just as rain eventually stops, grief too won’t last forever. She learned to view the experience of crying during grief as a purifying shower, allowing it to wash over her without fear. In essence, she embraces the sorrow, viewing it as her ‘cleansing rain,’ and accepts its presence when it visits.

Uche, who was set to celebrate his 18th wedding anniversary with Sheinelle in September, tragically passed away in May after a fierce fight against glioblastoma, a highly aggressive type of brain cancer. At the time of his death, he was only 45 years old.

Regarding her ability to handle life since his passing, Sheinelle explained it as learning to live a life that is now different from what she once had.

In simpler terms, she said, “I’m getting by day by day, but overall, I’m struggling.” However, when asked about her long-term situation, she revealed, “My heart is broken into a thousand pieces. The life I’ve known since I was 19 no longer exists.

As an ardent admirer, I’d rephrase that as: “This month, our marriage would have celebrated its 18th anniversary. Yet, throughout our journey, it never felt like we were lacking something special. Even during his last moments, I found myself uttering ‘this is tough, this is terrifying,’ but if fate had asked me to relive those trials, I’d seize the opportunity without a second thought.

On September 5th, Sheinelle rejoined her fellow co-anchors Savannah, Craig Melvin, Al Roker, and Jenna Bush Hager at Studio 1A.

In light of Uche’s passing and Sheinelle’s temporary absence, her Today family decided to honor him with a heartfelt video tribute that showcased their many years together as a couple.

Craig mentioned that Uche often shared a heartwarming love story with him while they played golf together. One constant topic of conversation was his deep affection for his children. He adored them above all else and felt immense pride towards them.

Craig remarked, “He was the father always on the sidelines during every soccer match. He attended all the concerts, recitals; he was simply ‘that’ dedicated man in their love tale, which was truly captivating.

In the heart of May, I felt compelled to express my deepest gratitude for the overwhelming outpouring of empathy and love I’ve received since the passing of Uche. Each expression of kindness has been a beacon of hope during this challenging time.

She expressed gratitude, writing it alongside a video of the Today hosts announcing her husband’s passing on May 23. “Thank you for your love and support,” she added.

Craig once mentioned, when speaking about them, that they had a captivating love story. He frequently shared that Uche’s greatest joy was his children. Above all else, he adored those kids, and took immense pride in them.

Craig remarked, “He was the father who was always at the sidelines during every soccer match.” This continued through concerts, recitals, and many other events. He was that kind of man, and their love story was truly captivating.

In May, Sheinelle expressed her appreciation aloud for the overwhelming support she received after the passing of Uche.

She expressed gratitude, penning it next to a video of the Today hosts announcing her spouse’s passing on May 23. “For the outpouring of love and support you’ve shown us,” she concluded.

For more on Sheinelle’s life with Uche, keep reading…

 

Sheinelle Jones frequently shared stories about how she encountered her spouse, Uche Ojeh, during a campus tour at Northwestern University when she was only 19 years old.

In today’s May 23 broadcast on “Today,” Savannah Guthrie highlighted the consultant as an “extraordinary individual who was Sheinelle’s ideal life companion.

During Uche’s fight against glioblastoma, the news anchors consistently highlighted his strong commitment to his faith and his Nigerian ancestry. In a 2021 post, Sheinelle revealed that all three of their children wore traditional Nigerian attire during their baptism ceremony.

As the father of kids Kayin, and younger twins Clara and Uche Jr., Uche put his family first.

In today’s tribute, Craig Melvin emphasized that he deeply cherished those children above all else in the world. He took great pride in them and was always there – at every soccer match, concert, or recital. In essence, he was the quintessential dad who enthusiastically supported his kids from the sidelines.

During today’s broadcast, Al Roker remarked that although Uche seemed reserved, he was “devilishly humorous.” He also commented that Uche was a modest individual.

In paying homage to Uche on his birthday in 2021, Sheinelle highlighted how her deceased spouse was consistently by her side throughout the years.

She shared on Instagram that when she searches for pictures on her iPhone, most of them feature him alongside her – helping with the children’s homework, music, or soccer lessons. She expressed her gratitude for sharing this life’s adventure with such an amazing individual.

In the segment dedicated to Uche on Today, Savannah underscored that Sheinelle and Uche managed to surmount challenges such as distance to sustain their relationship. For Sheinelle, it was completely worthwhile. As she penned in a tribute post to Uche in 2022, “You first caught my attention when I was 19 years old … and now look at us.

As we navigated through our most challenging journey, I couldn’t help but admire the resilience displayed by Sheinelle and Uche. In my book, they embody the spirit of warriors – individuals who face adversity head-on with unwavering courage and determination.

According to Savannah, Uche’s happy demeanor and inner strength made him an ideal fit for Sheinelle.

These paraphrased sentences convey the same meaning as the original sentence but in a more straightforward and accessible way.

In the post following the announcement about Uche’s unfortunate passing, Sheinelle expressed her gratitude by saying, “Thanks for all the love and care you’ve shown.

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2025-09-05 16:17