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December 17, 1974 — July 23, 2026
Jenn went toe-to-toe and slugged it out with Stage 4 colon cancer for over 3 years. She gave it everything she had 4 major surgeries, a total of 7 hospitalizations and months of chemotherapy that left her ill and weak. She had chemotherapy every other Friday and Saturday. On the following Sunday, at 5:30am, Jenn was always at work removing heavy bread trays from a skid and stocking the bread products on shelves.
From the time Jenn was diagnosed with cancer until she took her final breath, her family never heard her say “Why me?” or “This is so unfair” or “I don’t deserve this” or words to that effect. Jennifer showed us what it looks like to fight cancer with profound courage and strength. Her family is so proud of her for that.
Jenn worked at the 40th & Donald Safeway store for over 20 years. Her job was important to her, and she was dedicated to it. She loved “her customers” (they were not the store’s or Safeway’s) and they loved her right back. She enjoyed her personal interactions with them and exchanging family stories. She liked bragging about her daughter Kaitlyn’s successes. As word of Jenn’s diagnosis spread, there was an outpouring of affection by Jenn’s customers toward her. One customer baked her cookies before every chemotherapy session. Many customers sent cards. One wrote the following:
“Thank you for all you do for the South Eugene Community. You are the heart and soul of our Safeway and your kindness and conversation have been so appreciated…I hope you know how loved and appreciated you are.”
Firefighters from the South Hills Station (#15) were regular customers at the store. In a card they sent to Jenn, they wrote:
“Thanks for making our shifts fun & memorable. Your banter & attitude never failed to put smiles on the faces of Eugene 15.”
Jenn developed strong friendships with some of her coworkers. When Jenn passed away before her planned retirement party, her coworkers held the party anyway. Their love for Jenn was put on full display. She would have thoroughly enjoyed the party. Jenn continued to work until 6 weeks before she passed away.
Jenn loved her neighbors at Edgewood Townhouses and they loved her right back. They were so kind to her, doing everything from assisting her with her tax returns, finding and catching her cat and helping with gardening and landscaping. She was proud to serve on the Board of the Homeowners’ Association there.
If one were to describe Jenn’s life in one word, that word would probably be “Perseverance.” Her family was so proud of how she persevered.
Jenn leaves behind her daughter Kaitlyn from Seattle, her brother and sister-in-law, Jim and Jenn, from Star, Idaho, and her dad and stepmother, Lou and Julie, from Corvallis.
Jenn’s family would like to thank her medical providers at Willamette Valley Cancer Institute and Signature Hospice for their excellent care of Jenn.
A memorial service for Jenn will be held at Harvest Church International, 3550 Fox Hollow Road, on Saturday, September 12 at 10 a.m. The service can also be attended online at www.harvesteugene.org.