Jinger Duggar Vuolo Shares Sad Family News
Over the last several months, there has rarely been a day where the Duggar family hasn't made headlines. Given the circumstances surrounding Josh Duggar and his trial, fans of "19 Kids and Counting" and the spin-off, "Counting On," have been learning more about the family they once thought was a good example, realizing that may not be the case at all (via Us Weekly).
While the charges against Josh are extremely disturbing, some fans are still keeping up with their favorite Duggar family members. According to TV Shows Ace, fan-favorite Duggars are typically the ones who have separated themselves from Josh and the rest of the family. When fans are asked who their favorite Duggar is, Jinger always makes the top of the list. They can't get enough of what they believe is Jinger finding ways to be her own person outside her family's control. She was the first to wear pants and branch out to form her own opinions while she moved across the country with her husband, Jeremy Vuolo (per Distractify).
Though the drama surrounding the Duggars is intense, fans still remain loyal to certain family members. That's why when Jinger shared tragic family news, they joined together in mourning.
A family member has passed away
Jinger Duggar Vuolo posted a heartfelt message mourning the loss of her "adopted" nana (via People). She took to Instagram to share the sweet message: "Our dear adopted Nana went home to be with the Lord. She was the most selfless woman and gracious woman."
She continued to write about how much she learned from her friend. "Nana taught me so many things — 15 years of piano lessons, that Long John Silver's is actually good, doing laundry can be fun, to be joyful in all circumstances, and that it's better to serve than to be served."
Although Vuolo moved to Los Angeles, she kept in touch with her adopted Nana and mentioned their constant communication in the tribute. "The past 5 years we exchanged letters monthly. She will be greatly missed. 💔 I will forever be grateful to God for the priceless gift of her friendship."
While their adopted Nana seemed to stay out of the reality TV spotlight, the Duggar girls spoke about her back in 2016 (via Fox News). Jessa Dugger shared a post (also on Instagram) about making Christmas cards for their Nana. She wrote, "making handmade Christmas cards for our adopted Nana to send out to her family and friends! Jinger used to do this for her every year, but since she's on her honeymoon, we're taking over." It is clear Jinger was closest with Nana, and she will be deeply missed by the family.
Jinger is still mourning the loss of her biological grandmother
This is not the first time the Duggar family has suffered the loss of a grandmother figure. The family's patriarch, Jim Bob Duggar, recently endured the passing of his mother (via USA Today). Fans of "19 Kids and Counting" and "Counting On" were familiar with matriarch Mary Duggar, who appeared in several episodes of both TLC shows. Tragically, Mary passed away from accidental drowning after falling into the pool in her Arkansas home. Few of the Duggar children took the news harder than Jinger did.
Though Mary passed away in 2019, the wound was still fresh for Jinger, who talked about losing her beloved grandmother in her book, "The Hope We Hold," which came out last year. She shared (via People), "My hand shook as I held my phone to my face. My legs had already given way beneath me, and I could feel the carpet of my friend's living room digging into my knees. I heard my mom's words, but they didn't make sense. They couldn't be true. There had to be some mistake."
Jinger's recollection continued, "But she hadn't died of natural causes or passed away peacefully in her sleep. Grandma Duggar drowned in her backyard pool." She added, "The thought of my beloved grandma dying in such a tragic way made me sick. I couldn't even speak the words as Jeremy consoled me and asked what had happened."
Jinger has distanced herself from the Duggars even through tragedy
Though tragedy has taken over the Duggar family, it seems Jinger and her husband, Jeremy, chose to skip out on the recent family holiday festivities (via TV Shows Ace). The Vuolo's took their two daughters, Felicity and Evangeline, to Pennsylvania to spend time with Jeremy's family for the Christmas holiday.
Fans have speculated that the Vuolos have intentionally distanced themselves from the Duggars after the scandal surrounding Jinger's brother Josh, as well as her sister Jana's child endangerment case (per InTouch Weekly). The Vuolos did not hold back when they issued a statement about Josh's actions, writing, "We are saddened for the victims of horrific child abuse. We are also saddened for Josh's family, his wife and precious children. We are saddened for the dishonor this has brought upon Christ's name. Josh claims to be a Christian. When a professing follower of Jesus is exposed as a hypocrite, the response of many will be to challenge the integrity of Jesus himself. They'll question the legitimacy of a Savior whose so-called followers privately delight in the sins they publicly denounce. This is why the Apostle Paul told religious hypocrites that 'the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you' (Romans 2:24). For Josh, we fear for his soul."
They were not the only Duggars to skip out on the family Christmas festivities. Jill and her husband, Derick, also chose not to attend.