Jennifer L Dodge

Preston, CT: Jennifer L. Dodge passed away at home on the morning of Tuesday, July 3rd, after a 12 year battle with cancer. Although Jennifer was only 45 when she passed, she had a profound impact on the lives of so many. Jennifer and her life partner, Charles Boyle, had just recently bought the house of their dreams in the spring of 2010 in Preston, CT where Jennifer could indulge her passion for gardening, decorating and collecting vintage clothing and decorative accessories.

Jennifer was born on June 17, 1967 in New Boston, NH to James and Justine (Gagnon) Dodge. Jennifer grew up on the family dairy farm in New Boston that she loved so much where she developed a deep love for nature and the outdoors. One unique outdoor activity that Jenn loved was competitive snowshoe racing where she achieved many awards including the breaking of two world snowshoe running records.

Jennifer was happiest when she was helping others and pursued this happiness through a career in the medical profession. A professionally trained massage therapist, Jenn ran her own therapeutic massage practice in Springfield, MA for many years, before going on to get her Bachelor of Science and Masters Degrees from Springfield College as a Physician Assistant. The fact that she was able to complete her goal of becoming a PA, while fighting the terrible disease she suffered from, is an indication of the commitment, drive, and tenacious will that Jennifer brought to everything she did. As a testament to just how inspirational Jennifer was, the Springfield College Physician Assistant program is creating an award to be given out each year to the student that best demonstrates the commitment, determination and compassion she brought to her medical education and career.

Jennifer fought this horrible disease with the same strength that she pursed everything, undergoing over 15 major surgeries over the past 12 years, along with several radiation and experimental drug treatments, to do all that she could to find a cure.

Jennifer is survived by her loving partner of 13 years, Charles Boyle, two brothers - Jered and Jimmy Dodge, her sister Jessica Dutton, her father James Dodge and her Aunt and Uncle Arlene and Willard Dodge. Jenn’s mother Justine, also passed away after a battle with Cancer in 2003. Jenn is also survived by her mother’s two sisters and brother; Jarilyn Perron, Joyce Smith and Jack Gagnon and their families. Additionally, she has left behind a very large and loving extended family and so many close friends.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 14th at 10:00am at The New Boston Community Church, 2 Meetinghouse Hill Rd., New Boston, NH. There will be a reception to follow. Jenn’s ashes will be scattered on one of her favorite spots on the family farm, so that she can be a piece of that land forever.

In lieu of Flowers, please make donations to the group that is working to fund research to find a cure – The Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma Research Foundation at www.accrf.org or to the good people at Dana Farber in Boston who did all they could to help Jennifer fight her cancer.

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