Support for Judy in Her Time of Mourning

Jenna Hilley was a dear friend to many and a loving daughter to Judy Hilley and Jen Hilley. They were the three Js—Jenna, Judy, and Jen.

Jenna was a type 1 diabetic. Over the last 10 years, Jenna became very sick after developing a rare stomach disease called gastroparesis. One year ago, Jenna learned that her kidneys were in acute failure and that she would need to begin dialysis—three days a week, four hours at a time. She needed a new kidney and pancreas and had been working to qualify for a double organ transplant.

On November 19, 2022, right before Thanksgiving, Jen Hilley, Jenna’s beloved dad, passed away from his own health-related issues. Jenna had always been a daddy’s girl and was devastated by the loss. She kept pushing to be healthy and get her new organs, but at this point she was spending more time in hospitals and dialysis centers than living her own life.

On January 25, 2023, Candace Rechtmann, one of Jenna’s best friends, died from a senseless act of violence. Candace, “Candy,” was a core part of Jenna’s support system—they were practically sisters, and Candace was like a second daughter to Judy.

On February 6, 2023, only 12 days after the passing of Candace, and just two days after being discharged from a hospital visit that lasted more than three weeks, Jenna stopped breathing. Judy called 911 and the paramedics came, but she passed away soon after she arrived at the hospital.

Over the past year, Judy began to experience significant financial hardship from the trips down to the University of Miami hospital and overall cost of caring for both Jen and Jenna. For years, she took on the role of full-time caretaker in addition to being a loving wife and mother.

Due to the expenses incurred from taking care of both Jen and Jenna, there will not be a public or a private funeral, and some of Jenna’s best friends are organizing a celebration of life ceremony in April, Jenna’s birthday month.

This GoFundMe is an opportunity to assist with the cost of Jenna’s cremation and to help alleviate the financial burden to Judy as she mourns these unimaginable and devastating losses. For this fundraiser, our goal is $5,000 so Judy may peacefully mourn with the comfort of not having to face financial hardship.

It would mean the world to Jenna’s remaining best friends, “Mama Judy,” and her Aunt Irene if you would contribute to this GoFundMe. Thank you for your support.