Jennifer R. McBride Memorial

Hello, I'm Gregory, Jennifer's long-time partner. Jennifer’s soul joined her beloved dog, Mika, in Heaven on July 26, 2023. Jennifer's mom set up the Jennifer R. McBride Donation Account to help ease the unexpected financial burdens caused by Jennifer’s sudden passing. We were a two-income household, with joint financial obligations that need to be resolved. Following are a few of our remembrances of Jennifer. Thank you for your consideration and for keeping us in your thoughts and prayers.

Jennifer was our world…our sweetest, most precious girl. She was perfect and beautiful, and she blessed us richly with unbelievable joy and happiness. We adored her…she was the light and love of our lives. We miss her deeply and forever, and we will never be the same.

Jennifer was creative and curious...wanting to learn about everything at once. She played instruments, she sang, she danced and led cheers, she wrote…she was a deep thinker, brilliant and talented.

She appreciated nature and enjoyed feeding and watching the birds. She liked to hunt and fish with her dad and her Grandpa Stark. Autumn was one of her nicknames and was her favorite time of year.

She was passionate, caring and kind. She could talk to anyone and was always quick to offer her appreciation and gratitude to others. She was charming and witty, loyal, and loving. She gave great hugs. When she held your hand, she would always squeeze it three times…I love you. She was the best, best friend.

She had an awesome sense of humor, could be goofy, and was so much fun. She had a wonderful laugh and she made us laugh…deep, deep belly laughs…tears-running-down-your-face laughs.

She was adventurous and a great co-pilot…she loved to get in the car and just drive, not knowing where. She was super organized, loved to do laundry, hated leftovers, and always sneezed seven times in a row. Purple was her favorite color.

We know Jen was happily greeted in Heaven by Mika, her grandparents and great-grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins, and friends. Jennifer wished to be cremated and we are planning a celebration of Jennifer’s life in the Fall.

Writings from author Tara Shannon:

The path set by yesterday’s ground, is gone

And that of tomorrow is uncertain

All that is certain is that which is under your feet

Now

One step, in front of the other

Standing still is an option but that does not mean that the world around you will stand with you

Because it won’t

The walls may fall away

and all the people leave

and change

but the homefire will still burn

bright in your heart

and in your minds eye

‘til the time comes

for its light to guide you home

And you’ll know it at once

for all who gather

will greet you

and know you

by name

***

“It’s time to go.” said Bear.

“But where are we going?” asked Rabbit.

“Forward,” said Bear, “we can’t stay here anymore.”

“So much has happened here though. I don’t know that I can move on.” said Rabbit.

“You can stay if you want,” said Bear, “but life won’t wait with you.”

“It won’t?” asked Rabbit.

“No” said Bear, “besides, up ahead there might be something wonderful.”

“You think so?” asked Rabbit.

“I think…” said Bear, “if you stay here, you’ll never know.”

© Tara Shannon, 2021