Jenna Bean

Je suis enfant unique

I am a unique child

This is how Jennifer Lynn Levy began her Facebook post on May 15th 2019 announcing her treatment plan- and she wasn't wrong. She was unique.

When I was 12 years old I met Jennifer Levy and (as with many of us) she saw my pain in insecurities and she loved me through them. She pushed people to consider what they believed and she pushed me to love Jesus and give my all to Him.

One day in her living room Jenn literally taught me the definition of eccentric -- someone whose behaviour is unusual or slightly strange-- it is fitting that it was Jennifer who taught me this word.


Jennifer Levy was a collector. She never carried a small purse, in fact, she usually had a large, bulky shoulder bag and a backpack filled to capacity (both of which Jon would graciously carry though out the day). A day out to the cottage would often require two cars filled with supplies for every possibility. They'd leave the house with cars filled and pick up whoever they could find along the way. A lot of people have been a benefactor of Jenn's stuff- showing up to the cotta at Baxter's Harbour and finding that there was always enough food, games, comics, activities, chairs, and entertainment to last- no matter the weather or how many people were there.

One of our friends, Geraldine, was telling me a story of being out and about with Jenn and declaring that she needed rope. Jenn responded "What kind?" and went to the trunk of the car to come back with five different kinds of rope- just in case. Jenn was a planner- but things never went to Jenn's plan.

Jenn was a collector of things she loved- wether it be Hardy Boys or Nancy Drew books, penguins, anything Muppet related, DVD's of TV shows she loved, board games, or crafting and scrapbooking supplies (it is only fitting that sitting on the land where she grew up is now a Michael's). Jenn collected these things- not just for herself- but for others. She loved introducing people to a new game she learned or a new TV show they'd never seen (mostly she loved watched our reactions... especially Holly's reaction... especially during Chuck).

Her collections of things were not just for her benefit, for her enjoyment. Just like Jenn's life- they were for others. She often would collect gifts for people- things she saw and just reminded her so powerfully of someone that she couldn't leave it on the shelf. I was the benefactor of these gifts. One time while exploring at Wheaton's I saw a sign that read:

"Dear Lord,
Please put your arm around my shoulder... 
and your hand over my mouth" 



We laughed and laughed and she couldn't leave it. That now hangs in my mud room- a little reminder before I leave home every day.


Jenn didn't just collect things- Jenn collected memories. 

It wasn't very often that Jenn was found without her camera- snapping photos of people she loved, moments she wanted to remember, a pretty door, or EVERY SINGLE SUNSET... ever. She would video various funny moments to look back on later and laugh. If Jen was there then you can be certain her camera was there with her. Even if there was a professional photographer hired. Jenn made sure the moments and memories of our lives- of her life- would be collected and kept.

I remember one of the MANY times that Jenn's laptop wasn't working well (because technology never worked for Jenn-- EVER-- it hated her as much as she hated it). Jenn's laptop wasn't working and so Jon took a look and she had FILLED it's storage to capacity in just a few months. So out came the external hard drive- and the computer was emptied. Just to be filled back up again. It wasn't odd for Jenn to have two computers on the go- just because one was always full.

Jenn collected memories- and we've all collected those memories along with her- road-trips, camping, drive in movie adventures, late night snack runs, grabbing a meal together, university fun, Kingswood adventures. No matter what our connection to Jenn, we have made memories with her and she would want us to be sharing them, laughing at he adventures, remembering the fun, growing from the wisdom.


Finally, Jenn collected people. 

Jenn didn't come from a big family- being the only child and only grandchild- but those that she had she loved. Her parents, Les and Carol were her world- she loved to play games with her mom or to listen to her dads latest stories- and when she was needed she gave up everything to help them. Jenn loved Jon- it wasn't often that you saw one without the other. Jon was a gift to Jenn and she appreciated everything he did for her (even if he didn't do it her way and she threatened divorce).

Jenn loved her in-laws, especially her three nieces, Sarah, Meghan, and Rebekah. She carved out as much individual time for each of them as she could- and often would update me on their lives and lamented about not having more time to spend with them.

As for the rest of us. Jenn collected us along the way and she accepted us immediately and made us feel like we were part of her family. She had a knack for finding those hurting and genuinely cared deeply for them- evidenced in many many lives but especially Alyssa and Holly.

In a conversation with Jenn you would feel like she genuinely knew you and cared- no matter how minuscule or catastrophic the event in your life. She would listen, give wise council, pick you up in your hurting, listen to your pain, find encouragement and hope, then she'd journey along with you for however long... until time or distance separated.

She loved deeply.
More than once have Jenn's shoulders been drenched and stained with tears of heartache- but she never gave up- she always loved. No matter where God led, no matter where you found yourself- Jenn loved and made every conversation about you. Everyone needs a Jenn


I want to finish with some wisdom from Jenn- a note she wrote in the Bible and the final words she wrote on her May 15th 2019 Facebook post.

First, the words in my Bible:
"Keep seeking God, study His truth, and follow Jesus. Stand Firm, pray, and share His peace and love to all you meet. Remember that no matter where God leads you, we love you and will be praying for you."

That was true for everyone- no matter where God led- Jenn loved you (and often complained that you weren't closer to her)

Finally, her words from May 15th:

"I don't know how my story here will end, but I know where my hope lives and what comes after all of this. I know who created me and when my time here is done who I will spend eternity with. I know the great physician and He has peace and love and provides healing for every spiritual, mental, emotional, and physical ailment, although often not in the ways our finite minds can imagine or ask for. I will continue to ask Him for a big miracle! I will continue to put my faith in Him and will embrace however he finishes my story, resting in his peace.
I'm sure it will be ..... unique (and it was) and I'm glad you are, and have been, a part of it."


Comment below your favourite memory, photo, collection, etc of Jennifer