A few words from Jenn's Celebration of Life Memorial Service:
I know I speak for everyone when I say that I can’t believe it’s already been 5 weeks. Tonight’s gonna be a tough one, but we’re so thankful you’re all here to join us in celebrating the amazing life that Jenn lived. If she was here, she’d be glowing and delighted that you all came just for her — we all know that she reveled in being the life of the party.
It’s still surreal and hard for me to talk about Jenn in the past tense and I’ve really struggled to find the right words to capture everything I want to share about her — we would be here for days. So instead, I’ve written her a short letter that I’d like to share with you all.
Jenn, Yennifur, it’s been a wild ride being your best friend and sister. They truly broke the mould when they made you and just looking around at all the people that showed up today or are here with us in spirit, it’s a true testament to the extraordinary woman that you are and the phenomenal life that you lived.
From your parents who brought you into the world, your mamabear and bestest friend in the entire universe, to your brothers who you adored more than life itself, your niece and nephews, little nuggets that you cherished like your own, colleagues that you challenged and mentored day in and out, clients all over the world whose rights you championed for and whose lives you immeasurably changed, the young minds that you helped shape in your volunteer work in criminal justice, classmates that you trained with in martial arts, tactical firearms, and beyond, just because you’re such a a bad ass, your extended family and childhood friends whom you grew and established your fiery sense of identity with, and of course your globetrotting soul sisters and closest confidantes.
You had no idea the gravity of the impact that you had on all of the people that you ever crossed paths with in your journey through life — whether it was someone you knew for years or just met for a fleeting moment, you enriched and captivated all who were blessed to know you. Someone looking in from the outside would assume we were gathering to celebrate the life and accomplishments of someone who had lived to the ripe age of 90. You accomplished SO much in just a few short decades. And while my heart breaks without you, there’s a part of me that isn’t sad for you in one small regard. People have asked me if you might’ve had any regrets and without a doubt I know that you didn’t — which is such a rare luxury. A force of nature you took the world by storm, always marched to the beat of your own drum, never waited for tomorrow to pursue your dreams and desires, never wavered in facing challenges head on, took every opportunity to dance to your hearts content, and I’m so proud of you. You already know that you never cease to amaze and inspire me, and there’s no one I respect more.
Your wild infectious laugh, exuberant passion, fearless air of self-assurance, tenacious intellectual banter, and unapologetically bold renegade spirit, perfectly complemented your sweet childlike innocence and enthusiasm for all of the little things. Your unwavering loyalty, one of a kind depth of character, how you dedicated your life to helping others, and your unrivaled zest for life — these are just a few of your incredibly dynamic attributes that I’ll carry with me forever.
I tried to think of a perfect story to encapsulate our friendship in it’s entirety, but there are just too many. To quote the Greek philosopher Epicurus, “Of all the things that wisdom provides to help one live one’s entire life in happiness, the greatest so far is friendship.”
The funniest part of our friendship was that people always used to think we were dating because of how inseparable we were, which we found absolutely hilarious — but we were kindred spirits, in the truest sense and people search their whole lives to find a connection like that. I really can't imagine life without you...
There are some losses you just never recover from, and this wound isn’t healing for many of us any time soon, but when it scars over one day it’ll become the armor we wear into battle with Jenn by our side. Jenn, you’re a warrior princess like none other and I’m so grateful for our friendship and to have shared so many beautiful memories with you. I love you.