Schoenell Jones’ husband dies after a cancer battle
Shanell Jones’ husband, Uuch Ogier, died at the age of 45 after a battle with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain tumor.
NBC’s “Today” show family lament the loss of Anchor Seanel Jones’ husband for three hours.
On May 23, Jones’s “Today” colleague announced that “the perfect partner in Chenelle’s life” Uche Oje has passed away at the age of 45.
“In deep sadness, we share this morning that our friend’s husband and co-host of “Today” Schoenell Jones Uche Ogier passed away after a brave battle with brain cancer called glioblastoma.”
“There is no word for the pain we feel in Shanell and their three young children,” Guthrie said in the segment. “Ushu was an incredible person, we all loved him.”
The pair have been married since 2007 and shared Fraternal Twins Uche and Clara, 12, with their 15-year-old son Kayin. The couple met at Northwestern University. Jones is currently co-hosting three hours of “Today” with Al Roker, Craig Melvin and meteorologist Dylan Drayer, but has not been present in the program since last year.
Jones previously said she was dealing with “dealing with family health issues.” After the announcement of “Today,” Jones shared a note of gratitude to fans and viewers as her on-air family reacted to the loss.
Hoda Kotb, Savannah Guthrie and Jenna Bush Hager pay tribute to Uche Ojeh
Jones’s post has over 20,000 comments left. Former “Today” main anchor Hoda Kotb commented that she was “holding you and your baby.”
NBC News Anchor Vicky Nyugen says, “Vietnamese means splitting sadness, splitting sadness, or separating sadness. “Today” health and nutrition expert Joy Bauer said, “Chenel, my heart is with you,” and “I feel very fortunate to know Ushu.”
In her own Instagram post sharing her “today” tribute to Ojeh, Guthrie wrote, “Uche is the light. Our hearts are broken with you, broken with our beloved Chenelle.” Her three-hour co-anchor Roker wrote in an inspiring post that she “didn’t write these words.”
“I knew this day was coming, but it still seems like someone like our brother Uche Ogier, husband of our dear sister @sheinelle_o,” wrote Roker, adding that he remembers “his love for Shanelle” and “his three beautiful children, his faith, his humor and his smile.”
In the post, Dreyer wrote, “I wish my dear friend @sheinelle_o had a word to help me feel better.”
“I hope you will help us absorb all the love and prayers we send to you and your family. I am blessed to know Ushu and this photo sums up the love, support and joy you shared with each other. May your heart be comforted in your memory.
Maria Schreiber sends Shanell Jones’ love after the death of her husband Katy Courick
The two “today” families familiar with grief and loss also expressed their love for Jones.
Former anchor Katie Courick wrote: “After a brave struggle with glioblastoma, following the loss of her beloved husband Ushu, I will send you lots of love, support and sympathy to @sheinelle_o… My heart is broken for her and three children. Please embrace your heart.
During the 15-year stint hosting the “Today” show, Coolick’s own late husband, Jay Monaghan, passed away in 1998 at the age of 42 when the couple’s daughters Caroline and Ellie were old men at school.
Maria Schreiber of NBC, the famous Kennedy family, wrote, “Schenel was a polite caregiver, caring, loving, and appeared around the clock 24/7.” The author of the newly released memoir, “I Am Maria: My Reflections and Poems on Heartbreaks, Healing, Finding Your Home,” praised Jones’s care for Ojeh.
“I admire Chenelle and I admire how she stepped up,” Schreiber said. “Every time I spoke to her, she kept saying how she was trying to do and how critical she was that she was there every second. What a love.
“God blesses you, my friends, and God, and God blesses everyone who knows what she is going through because you have made the same journey.”
