Tests show young La Grande mother’s brain is unresponsive

Published 1:00 pm Sunday, July 24, 2022

LA GRANDE — The family of a La Grande woman said Friday, July 22, that tests have shown the sudden cardiac arrest she suffered has left her brain dead.

Vanessa Durfee, 26, suffered cardiac arrest at her residence Sunday, July 17.

“She will be flown to Portland on (July 23) for organ donation,” Sandra Roda, Durfee’s aunt, said. “The GoFundMe account will now be used for her funeral arrangements.”

Durfee’s oldest daughter found her unresponsive and alerted Vanessa’s partner, Troy Jones, who immediately called 911 for emergency medical assistance. According to Roda, Durfee was intubated and admitted July 17 to the intensive care unit at Grande Ronde Hospital, La Grande, where she underwent tests to determine the cause of her condition.

Durfee is survived by her partner of six years, Troy Jones, and two daughters, ages 6 and 1. She was a graduate of Elgin High School and was the daughter of Sharee Henderson and Ed Durfee, of Elgin.

The family has established a GoFundMe page to help the young family with the costs related to her medical emergency and her absence from home.