We are overwhelmed with grief on the death of our youngest daughter, Jennifer on Wednesday night, August 17th in Chilliwack, BC. Also left to mourn are those whom she loved dearly: her partner, Jason Roy, her two children, Jenessa (Edmonton) and Austin (Chilliwack), her sisters, Emma (Sannichton) and Michelle (Oakville) and their families, her constant Chihuahua companion, Lilly, and extended family and friends from Newfoundland to British Columbia.
Jennifer Anne Tertia Strong came into our lives 2-1/2 months premature on August 11th, 1978. She was always in a rush and outspoken in school, which was often judged as bad behaviour by teachers, although we knew differently – she was just in a hurry, most likely from trying to catch up on that lost 2-1/2 months in her mother’s womb. She was a beautiful, precocious child who brought much joy into our lives, and grew into a beautiful young lady, gifted with artistic talents, and with a heart of gold towards those less fortunate. As an adult, she would frequently give her last few dollars to a street person, then later have to visit a food bank to obtain some groceries. While we helped where we could, she was always too proud to ask us for money.
Even at 3 years old, Jennifer had artistic talents that she did not have time to develop into a career. She loved an old piano that we gave her, and taught herself to play. When upset by PTSD attacks, she often buried her problems by playing that old piano. She eventually settled on a career in Health and Safety. Unfortunately, while that is a position required by many businesses, it is usually given only lip service by superiors. However, she took her job seriously, and worked to change that attitude to help employees in her workplace.
Jennifer gave us two wonderful grandchildren, Jenessa and Austin with similar good traits from their mother. Jenessa produced a grandson for her mother - Rylan, now 3, our first great-grandchild, and she was one week away from giving her a first granddaughter, so was unable to travel from Edmonton to attend her mother’s funeral.
While we are broken-hearted, for no parent should ever have to outlive their children, we retain many wonderful memories of our beautiful daughter, Jennifer, who lived her short life by giving to others more than she received. One prophetic message she had hand-written on her wall this week read: “Be part of the solution, not the problem.” We are distraught that she was unable to solve her own medical problem, and did not receive adequate care and solution from our failed medical system.
Geoff and Phyllis Strong
Cowichan Bay, BC
19 August, 2022
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