In Loving Memory of Jennifer

Friday the 13th, December 2019, was a day that would change our lives forever. On that fateful day, Jennifer was involved in a car accident while driving our youngest daughter to school. While they were both seriously injured in the accident, Jenn suffered significant injuries that required extensive surgery and a lengthy hospital stay. Prior to her surgical interventions, Jennifer’s initial trauma CT scan revealed imaging suspicious for cancer. Over the next few days, Jenn would be diagnosed with Stage IV cancer.

Jennifer spent the next two years, very privately, battling cancer and doing everything in her power to extend her time here with us. The odds were stacked against her from the beginning, but she never, ever stopped fighting.

While our journey often felt all-encompassing, these past two years do not solely define Jennifer. Let me tell you all a little more about my beautiful wife and the mother of our amazing children. Everything that we achieved as individuals and did together as a family was because of her. She served as our friend, leader, life coach, manager, and our absolute everything. Jenn was always one of the smartest people in the room, but she, herself, would never acknowledge that. She was an artistic and creatively talented spirit who loved to explore new things and continually found ways to share her energy and vision with those around her. In fact, many of you reading this right now might be wearing pieces of her jewelry, or displaying some of her artwork, or perhaps you may have even given some of her creations as gifts to your friends and loved ones. You see, Jennifer would have loved all of that, because all she ever wanted to do was to make the world better by making it more beautiful.

Above all, Jenn took such pride in being a mother and in loving our children unconditionally and unselfishly. She never missed a celebration, competition, game, play, practice, or any event involving our three children. She just never missed anything. One of the last things Jenn said to me is that she just wanted more time with us. In my head, I understand that she just wanted to continue to take care of us and for all of us to be ok. In my heart, I know that she will continue to provide her love to us forever.

Wednesday the 8th, December 2021, Jenn passed away peacefully, with her hand in mine. I promised that I would never leave her side on our journey, and I never did. Jenn confronted her many challenges head-on and she departed on her terms, that, we are certain of. We are all so very proud of Jennifer’s bravery, courage, and defiance in fighting the odds and we miss her dearly. We always will.

There has been an extraordinary outpouring of support and an incredible amount of outreach from the community, family, friends, and neighbors, all asking how to help, so I have set up a memorial fund to assist us with previous and future expenses related to our complex and challenging journey. In lieu of flowers or gifts, contributions to the memorial fund named, In Loving Memory of Jennifer, can be made using the donate button.