Jan-Blaise Daniel MacEachern

Jan-Blaise Daniel MacEachern, Age 7, of Nashville, Tennessee entered into eternal rest in the early morning hours of Monday, June 1, 2026.

After a tremendous battle with a brain tumor, the sweetest and most beloved and cherished son, brother, and friend, passed peacefully, taking his last breath in the arms of his mother, with his father, and big sister, Eloise, close and holding on tight. He was ushered from this world being told how much he was loved and thanked for the love, light, and joy he brought to so many, especially his family.

He was born on October 11, 2018, in Norfolk, Virginia on a stormy fall night to his loving parents and the proudest big sister in the middle of a power outage at the hospital. He decided to start life off showcasing the challenges he would come to face. Diagnosed with a brain tumor just a few days shy of turning three months old, Jan-Blaise fought to be with those he loved until the very end.

Though Jan-Blaise lived a life full of challenges, you’d never know that once experiencing his sweet, mischievous disposition and wide smile. His large brain tumor left him with very limited use of the right side of his body from a young age. This did not stop him from finding ways to overcome obstacles using only his left side, even at times to the playful bemusement of his therapists working hard to strengthen “righty.” He knew how he could navigate this world. We just needed to keep up with his pace.

He adored his sisters, especially “Eazy” (Eloise) as they grew up together at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital where he received most of his care. He fought on after numerous surgeries and different treatments, always taking the opportunity to say, “thank you” in his sweet little voice. Jan-Blaise remained on some form of chemotherapy from the very young age of four months until his death, only taking breaks for surgeries or transitional phases between treatments. His spirit of kindness and patience never wavered throughout treatment. He was always quick to say, “hi” or share a toy.

Jan-Blaise attended Harris-Hillman and later Eakin Elementary where he was loved and cared for by all his teachers, therapists, and peers. His private-duty nurse and one-on-one aide made going to school possible. Both loved him like their own and Jan-Blaise loved them in return, tremendously.

He loved school, cruising around in his bright, unmistakably yellow power wheelchair chasing his friends. His friends knew they could get the best reactions out of Jan-Blaise by pretending to fall. He loved to play with his siblings and scoot around the house leaving little treasures throughout any cabinet or drawer in his path and reach. He loved to serve pretend coffee and soup filled with all sorts of mismatched toy food; but always pretended it was “too hot!” by blowing and waving over the drink or dish, followed by the satisfied “ahh!”  Although family knew him as always being a “savory guy,” Jan-Blaise did love the treat of a Chick-Fil-A lemonade and the rare purist flavor Five Daughters Donut. He loved physical comedy and would belly laugh at all his favorite slap stick moments in movies. His giggle, especially when someone would pretend to fall, was infectious to all those around to hear it. He and his grandpa always loved to greet each other, whether in person or video chat, with their sly grins, pulling up their shirts, and showing their bellies. Jan-Blaise was proud to show his belly off even though it bared scars from his prior surgeries. Whether you were family or a friend or even a new visitor, chances were very strong Jan-Blaise would warmly greet you and quickly ask you to “Sit! Sit!” next to him on the couch or floor to play. You may even be lucky enough that he would give his patented, sneaky, wet willy on your hand or cheek. He loved to sit and play with his trains for hours and surprisingly would even share the controls with his sisters. He loved cars and trucks, especially his Hess and Bruder toy trucks. He’d often stuff them full of many random household items and toys. He loved his visits to St. Jude and could sit, and people watch for hours in between appointments. You could not pass by the St. Jude cafeteria without him pointing and begging to pop in for their cheesy hashbrowns. They were his favorite. St. Jude did not symbolize appointments, chemo regimens, or scans but felt like a second home to him and served as a beacon of hope. Jan-Blaise grew to love his Vanderbilt family in Nashville where he and his younger sister, Aggie, would undergo lots of treatments and hospitalizations and unfortunately, sometimes even at the same time. He was especially fond of his physical, occupational, and speech therapists at Vanderbilt that grew to feel like family. He fiercely loved his sisters and lit up when they were near. He was always eager to return home to them after a St. Jude visit or hospitalization. He would give them kisses any chance he got but would also not hesitate, if given the opportunity, to pull their hair (not too hard) and give his trademark giggle. Though he was sweet for the most part, he could push his sisters’ buttons embodying the epitome of being a brother. He loved taking swimming lessons with the Nashville Dolphins and would smile and point to go in as soon as he got near the pool. He never hid his excitement for things often shown with a squeal and a joyful kick of his legs. He loved spending time in his Make-a-Wish accessible playhouse and would cook up a storm in his play kitchen. He absolutely loved to dance with all his crazy sisters to loud music in the kitchen while mom and dad would make dinner. He had the best spin moves, and a mean left arm pump. He loved music and participated in music therapy at both St. Jude and locally at Empower Music therapy. Though he was unable to talk in complete sentences, Jan-Blaise communicated what he needed or wanted well. He mostly used two-word phrases, one-word utterances, and sign language with a modified sign for “please” being his trademark sign to get whatever he wanted. He may not have been able to say a formal prayer, but he never missed the opportunity to help his family end them by saying a clear, “Amen!”

He never seemed to dwell on the things he could not do, nor did his family. He accepted every setback and challenge full on. He fought so hard to be with his family. His resilience was astounding. In his short life, many miracles happened beyond medical explanation that ultimately gave him over 7 beautiful years with his family. He was cherished and loved beyond measure. He will be missed deeply but carried in our hearts forever.

There are so many people near and far that loved him and followed the ups and downs of his journey through his Facebook page. The prayers of so many people across the country and world that followed his page are no doubt a big part of what carried Jan-Blaise through his journey. His journey has inspired others to grow closer to God through prayer and helped keep hope alive in their hearts.  He gave our family strength and hope.  We even think he offered some of that strength and hope to many of those that never met him through sharing his story.

Though his life was short, Jan-Blaise made a lasting impression on all that he met. The love, light, and joy he leaves behind for his loving family and friends will always be cherished and missed. He will always be so very loved and remembered.

Jan-Blaise is survived by his devoted parents, Blaise and Brianna of Nashville, TN; his adoring sisters Eloise, Agnes ”Aggie,” Amos-May and Greta Ruth; his grandparents Daniel and Darcy MacEachern of Augusta, GA, grandparents Kevin and Jessica Poe of Nashville, TN, and grandfather Tad Dillon of Savannah, GA; his great grandparents Richard and Linda Bourgeois of Collins, GA, great grandmother Phyllis MacEachern of Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA, great grandmother Harriet Dillon of Savannah, GA; his aunt KC (Stuart) Prather, his aunt Kathleen (Nick) Moeller, his aunt Autumn Watson; numerous great aunts, great uncles and extended cousins.

He is preceded in death by great-great grandmother Lena “Meems” Bourgeois who he had the pleasure of meeting during her 100^th birthday celebration.

Visitation with the MacEachern family will precede the mass on Friday, June 5, 2026, from 9-10a.m. at Christ the King Catholic Church. Liturgy will be held following visitation at 10a.m. at Christ the King Catholic Church, with Fr. John O’Neill as celebrant.

Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Daniel MacEachern, Tad Dillon, Kevin Poe, Stuart Prather.

There will be a reception to follow burial at Overbrook Catholic School. All are welcome.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks that donations be made in honor of Jan-Blaise to the following three organizations that served Jan-Blaise, and never once charged for their services. St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee (https://www.stjude.org/), where Jan-Blaise was a patient and received most of his care, United Cerebral Palsy of Middle Tennessee (https://www.ucpmidtn.org/), where Jan-Blaise received all his gently used gait trainers and adaptive tricycles, and Nashville Dolphins (https://nashvilledolphins.org/) where Jan-Blaise received free inclusive swimming lessons.

Arrangements in the care of Compassion Funeral & Cremation Services, 6949 Charlotte Pike, Suit 104  (615) 857-9955. We are proud to be West Nashville & Bellevue’s only locally owned and operated burial & cremation provider.