I’d like to take this time and thank everyone (and their efforts) from the bottom of my heart who came together to make things a little easier for the families involved. I am completely blown away by everyone who stepped up to the plate and helped out in one way or another, you guys are just wonderful!
A special thanks to the following:
Mike and Cory, Black Hills Fire Department, St. Peters Hospital – you are all phenomenal people, thank you for taking such special care of Jen. Please know that everyone holds you dear.
Jenny and Arne @ Olympia School District – Thank you for allowing us to hold the “Celebration of Jen” at Jefferson Middle School, where she attended. You have helped a lot of people be able to come together at a much needed time.
Mills and Mills in Tumwater – Thank you for the beautiful services.
Extended family at DNR:
Doug S., Steve S., Kit M., Mark G., Mark K., Joe S., Jim S., Tom H., Craig P., Roger A., Blanche S., Kelly B., Bonita H., Sasha L., Marilyn B., Tami I., Jana G., Simon K., Fred G., Rochelle, Peggy M., Dave D., Liz O., Boyd P., Doug P., Mary Beth B., Nancy C., Barb M., Dena S., and if I left anyone out, please forgive me.
Jill K., Heather K., Susan C., and Sara M. – you’ve helped me get through this more than you’ll ever know, THANK YOU. I love you girls!
And to the families:
Jennifer, Jessica, Justin and Jordan – Please remember that you are surrounded by many that will help you get through this and will always be there for you. She loved you guys!
Susan, Bill, Steph, Steve, Kyle, Thomas, Dakota, Alisha – thank you for welcoming me into your family during this most difficult time and allowing me to share in your stories and memories of Jen. She just loved and adored you all!
You are all in my thoughts and heart…
Yesterday was such an overwhelming day filled with so many different emotions, including sadness, but also a celebration for the most remarkable and tremendous person, friend, soul mate, aunt, sister and daughter that I’ve ever known. I knew when I first met her in 2000 that she was definitely someone incredibly special and she became one of my best friends. She always had the most radiant smile on her face, even through all the tough times in her life and no matter what she was going through she was always ready, willing, and able to help those she most cared about.
I feel blessed to have met such a genuinely true, big-hearted, fun, brilliant, loving and inspirational person. She’s helped me through some trials and tribulations, kept my spirits up, brightened my birthdays with song (not to mention decorations — the cow especially), filled my days with laughter, smiles and the most enveloping hugs. She’s made me a better person and I thank her for that and so much more.
Jen, you have touched so many people in so many different ways, whether it was just in passing or you’ve known them for years. You have left a lasting impression on everyone around you, thank you for entering my life and sharing yourself with me. I will miss you more than anything, my “Gitchie, Gitchie, yaya, dada.”
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If anyone would like to share your stories and memories through this website, please do, I know I would love to read them as well as her family. All you have to do is click on the “Contact” button to send an e-mail and I will make sure it is posted to share with others. Another way to share is to just click on the “Forum” button to join up and post messages on the message board.
Also, there was a terrific article in The Olympian today entitled A Free Spirit Remembered by Ingrid Stegemoeller, please check it out.
Dear Jen,
This was supposed to be a letter from all of us. I have tried very hard to write it that way, but I just can’t find any words to put on paper that will even come close to what we are feeling. There is not a human being alive whose life you have touched who isn’t aching inside beyond description. Your strength, your smile, your very soul radiated like a light straight from God himself and has affected all who knew you. I want you to know that there are so many people who loved you that it’s beyond belief. It’s like everyone you ever came in contact with is now mourning the empty spot in their lives that you filled, from the clerk at the grocery store, to acquaintances, business associates, and friends, to your inner circle of family.
Your nephews, Kyle and Thomas, are better people because of the love you have shared with them. Kyle became a man this week. Thomas can’t understand why this had to happen to someone so fun and so young. Dakota will be told every day about you and the wonderful person you are. Your sisters, Stephannie and Alisha, are hurting so deeply it’s beyond words. Stephannie has shared so many wonderful stories already about the things you and she would do. And your brother-in-law, Steve, is full of pride for having known you for the last two years. Your soulmate, Jenny, is lost without you. She said that she can feel you with her. Your “adopted” kids, Jordan, Jessica, and Justin, have all said how much they love you and will miss you. Your guiding hand in their lives will be felt for generations to come. Your aunts, uncles, and cousins, too, have wept, as have your multitude of friends.
As for your Dad and I, our lives will never be the same. Our pain is too great to put into words. You have been a tower of strength through everything life had thrown your way, a true inspiration. Your Dad said it best: “Once in a lifetime something comes along that touches your soul, adds a warm glow to your heart, and makes your inner being smile. Jenifer Gitchell was that once-in-a-lifetime thing that made our inner beings smile, a believer, a friend to all children, a grown- up child, a true free spirit, and our love, not leaving any family behind, just waiting for them to catch up!” We love you. We’ll miss you more than words will ever be able to describe. I won’t say goodbye because you will always be in my heart and in our hearts forever.
–Mom, Dad, Stephannie, Alisha, Steve, Kyle, Thomas, Dakota, Jenny, Jordan, Jessica, and Justin
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Jenifer was born on January 14, 1972 in Olympia, Washington. She passed away on July 5, 2006 in Olympia. A memorial service will begin at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, July 14, 2006, at Mills & Mills Funeral Home in Tumwater. A reception will follow at 3:00 p.m. at Jefferson Middle School, 2200 Conger Avenue, Olympia, Washington.
Thank you for visiting this site, a tribute to a great woman. Please be patient while we are getting things arranged around here. I’m working on a new design to get things looking better, and perhaps the way Jen would have liked to have them.
That being said, if you wish to contribute any story, picture, or just anything about Jen, you can please use the contact form to get a hold of me, and we’ll see what we can do to get it up on this site.
Thank you!
