Update

It is with a profoundly heavy heart that we share that Jenny passed away yesterday. Our Community has lost a truly beautiful soul, and the weight of that loss is felt deeply by all of us.

Jenny was loved by so many, and the impact she had on our lives will continue to echo for years to come. While we grieve, we also hold immense gratitude for the time we were fortunate enough to share with her. To honour her properly, we hope you’ll join us in carrying forward the inspiration she gave so freely—her kindness, her strength, her warmth, and her ability to make us all better versions of ourselves.

Jenny was, and will always remain, a rare and radiant lifeforce. On behalf of our entire family, we invite you to take a moment today to honour her in whatever way feels right to you.

We also want to extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who has already supported Rainer and their family. Your generosity, your messages, and your compassion have meant more than words can express. The family is profoundly grateful for the love surrounding them during this incredibly difficult time.

As we continue to navigate this heartbreaking loss, we ask that you please consider sharing this GoFundMe or contributing if you are able. Any donation or share helps give Rainer and the family the space and time they need to grieve, heal, and be together as a family.

Jenny, we love you. We miss you more than words can express. Thank you for the time, the light, and the love you brought into our world.

A Sudden and Devastating Diagnosis

There are some people whose presence makes the world feel lighter, kinder, and more hopeful. Jenny is one of those rare souls. She lifts every room she walks into — supportive, loving, witty, thoughtful, and an unwavering ally to all. She is the friend who shows up first, the colleague who puts others before herself, and the human who inspires you to be a better version of yourself.

In the spring of 2025, Jenny began experiencing headaches that slowly intensified over the summer and fall. By late autumn, she was struggling with concentration, word‑finding, and fatigue — symptoms that were completely out of character for someone as energetic and sharp as Jenny.

Two weeks ago, a brain scan revealed a large tumour in the right hemisphere of her brain. After further testing, Jenny received a heartbreaking diagnosis: High‑Grade Glioma, an aggressive and terminal brain cancer.

Without intervention, doctors estimated she would have just 2 to 3 months to live. With emergency surgery followed by radiation and chemotherapy, she might gain up to a year.

Faced with an impossible decision, Jenny chose intervention — not for herself, but for the chance to have more time with her family.

She was fast‑tracked for emergency surgery and underwent the procedure on December 9th. She came through with incredible strength and is now home, beginning her recovery surrounded by Rainer, their two children, and her parents, who flew in from France to support the family.

Her doctors remain hopeful that she may have a year of meaningful time with her loved ones.

Jenny’s Impact

From the moment Jenny walked into Okanagan Spirits to interview for our Brand Ambassador position, we knew we had found someone special. Jenny didn’t just join our team — she became family.

Her infectious laugh, sharp wit, boundless positivity, and genuine love for people became the heartbeat of our downtown Kelowna distillery. She became the distillery’s de facto leader not because she sought the role, but because her honesty (even if you didn't want to hear it), reliability, compassion, and warmth naturally drew people to her. Staff, customers, community partners — everyone felt it. Everyone still does.

Jenny has given so much of herself to this community. Now, we have the chance to give something meaningful back.

The Emotional and Practical Reality

This diagnosis has turned the family’s world upside down. Jenny is the primary income earner, and with Rainer currently on medical disability, the financial strain is immense. The coming months will involve rehabilitation, medical appointments, and increasing care needs — all while navigating the emotional weight of a terminal prognosis with far too little time remaining.

What this family needs most right now is time together. Time without the crushing pressure of bills, logistics, or financial uncertainty. Time to make memories. Time to hold each other close. Time to simply be a family.

Why this GoFundMe Matters

This campaign has two purposes:

1. To give Jenny and her family the Gift of Time now

Your generosity will allow them to spend meaningful time together without worrying about how to manage financially during the most difficult time of their lives.

2. To support the family in tough times ahead

The months and years to come will be extraordinarily hard for Jenny’s family. This fund will help provide a much‑needed safety net, giving them the space and financial support to begin rebuilding their lives without Jenny.

How You Can Help

If Jenny has touched your life — through her work, her kindness, her humour, or simply her presence — please consider giving whatever you can. No amount is too small. Every contribution is a gesture of love, solidarity, and gratitude.

You can also help by sharing this campaign, sending messages of support, or offering practical help if you’re close to the family.

This season, as we reflect on what truly matters, Jenny’s story reminds us all how precious and fleeting our time is. Let’s come together as a community to give this beautiful family the gift they need most: time with the person they love.

❤️

The Okanagan Spirits Family