Jennifer Leigh Gerrish
May 28, 1980 – October 19, 2026
LIMERICK- It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Jennifer Leigh Gerrish, who passed away peacefully on October 19, 2026, at Gosnell Memorial Hospice House in Scarborough, Maine, surrounded by the love she gave so freely throughout her life.
Jennifer was born on May 28, 1980, in Biddeford, Maine, to Donald and Lesley Champion. She grew up in Limerick, Maine, where she attended Massabesic High School, graduating with the Class of 1998. It was there, during her high school years, that she met the love of her life, Jeb Gerrish. Their story began on November 2, 1996, when they went on their first date together for a Halloween hayride at York’s Wild Animal Kingdom. What began as a young love grew into a lifetime of devotion, partnership, and family.
Jen attended the University of Maine at Farmington, graduating in 2002 with a Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education. August 15th, 2003, on a summer evening, Jeb asked Jen to marry him. The two were married on December 18, 2004, in a perfectly cold, seaside ceremony in Wells, Maine, as the winter sky was lightly dusted with snow. It was a beautiful beginning to the life they would build together. The sunset on their wedding day was Jen’s most favorite sunset of her life, a moment of beauty she would forever hold close to her heart.
From as early as she could express it, Jen knew she wanted to be a mother. She was naturally nurturing, warm, kind, and caring, with a heart that seemed to have an endless capacity for love. Becoming a mother was not simply something she hoped for; it was the dream that meant more to her than anything else in the world. That dream came true when her first beautiful daughter, Ava Natalie, was born on February 1, 2006. On February 29, 2008, Jen welcomed her second daughter, Ella Grace, whose resemblance to her mother was unmistakable. With the arrival of her girls, Jen’s world was complete. There was no title she treasured more, no accomplishment she held more dear, and no job she considered more important than being Ava and Ella’s mom.
Jen’s girls were her greatest joy, her proudest accomplishment, and the center of her universe. She poured her heart into motherhood, embracing all the big moments and little everyday ones that make a family. Her love was steady, selfless, and unconditional. She wanted nothing more than to give her daughters a childhood filled with warmth, security, laughter, and memories they would carry with them forever. Being their mother was the greatest privilege of her life, and the love she gave them will remain a part of them always.
Jen treasured family traditions and the holidays that brought everyone together. Whether it was picking out the most perfect Christmas tree at Blizzard Hill Farm or carving pumpkins on the back deck with a power drill, she found joy in making ordinary moments extraordinary. Christmas Eve, Christmas morning, and spending the entire day together as a family were some of the traditions she held closest to her heart. For Jen, the magic was never just in the holiday itself, but in the time spent together, the laughter shared, the traditions repeated year after year, and the memories made along the way. These were the moments that made a house a home, and she made sure her family had countless beautiful memories to carry forward.
Jen was also the ultimate dance mom to Ella and softball mom to both Ava and Ella. She poured her heart into supporting her girls, cheering them on, celebrating their accomplishments, and being there for every moment she could. The softball field became a second home to their family, filled with countless hours, friendships, laughter, victories, and memories that will forever be treasured. Jen was the perfect team mom, always willing to help, support, organize, encourage, and make sure everyone felt included and cared for. She loved not only watching her girls play but also being part of the community that surrounded them. The fields and sidelines were more than places to watch a game; they were where lifelong friendships were built and some of the most meaningful family memories were made.
Jen also had a remarkable talent for photography. What began as a hobby revealed her natural eye for capturing beauty, emotion, and the little details that others might overlook. She had a gift for seeing the perfect moment and bringing it to life through a photograph. This past spring, she took pictures of Jaxon, Ava, and Ella right in the backyard at Jay and Bri’s home, and the images were so beautiful they looked as though they belonged in a professional photo shoot. Jen had an extraordinary eye and was perfectly detail-oriented in everything she did. Whether she was arranging a setting, noticing the light, or capturing a genuine smile, she brought care and thoughtfulness to every picture. Her photographs will remain treasured keepsakes, preserving moments in time and allowing the people she loved to hold on to memories for years to come.
Alongside her devotion to her family, Jen carried a deep passion for teaching and nurturing young children. She believed in the wonder of childhood, the importance of growing minds, and the extraordinary potential found in every child. After sharing her gifts with children and families at other daycares and preschools, Jen took a leap of faith in 2012 and opened her own little school on Pendexter Way: Fiddlehead School House.
Fiddlehead was more than a preschool; it was the realization of Jen’s dream and an extension of who she was. Built with creativity, determination, countless hours of hard work, and the blood, sweat, and tears of her entire family, the school was truly an all-hands-on-deck labor of love. Jen’s vision, dedication, and nurturing spirit created a place where children could learn, explore, grow, and feel cared for. She had a special way of making little ones feel seen and loved. She touched the lives of countless children and families over the years. The impact of her work reached far beyond the classroom, leaving lasting memories and a legacy of kindness in the community she loved.
Jen was a woman who gave so much of herself to the people around her. She built her life around the things that mattered most: her family, the children she taught, and the relationships she cherished. Whether she was loving her girls, supporting her husband, creating something beautiful, or helping a child discover something new, she brought her whole heart to everything she did. Her life was a testament to the power of love, the beauty of nurturing others, and the lasting difference one person can make.
Though her passing leaves an immeasurable ache in the hearts of those who love her, Jen’s legacy will live on in the family she built, the daughters she adored, the children she taught, and the many lives she touched. She will be remembered for her gentle heart, her creative spirit, her determination, and above all, the immense love she gave to those fortunate enough to have known her.
Jennifer is survived by her beloved husband, Jeb Gerrish, and their daughters, Ava and Ella, of Limerick; her parents, Donald and Lesley Champion, of Porter; her grandmother, Noella Champion, of Limerick; her brother, Jason Champion, and his wife, Brianna, and their son, Jaxon, of Limerick; her parents-in-law, Julie and James Gerrish, of Alfred; her brother-in-law, Jess Gerrish, and his wife, Bethani, and their son, Kristian, of Alfred; and her sister-in-law, Jaime Chipman, and her husband, Wesley, and their children, Reese and Ryder, of Bass Harbor, and lastly our special family member Alison Thibodeau of Lyman. She also leaves behind extended family, dear friends, and the many children and families whose lives were made brighter by her presence.
Jen will be deeply missed, more than words can express, and loved for all the days to come. The world was made warmer by her presence, and the love she leaves behind will never fade.
Her greatest legacy was never what she built, but the love she gave, the family she cherished, and the countless little hearts she helped shape along the way.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in honor of Jennifer to St. Judes Children Research Hospital at https://www.stjude.org/give.html.
A visitation will be held at 10am Tuesday, October 27th at St. Matthews Catholic Church in Limerick, Maine. Followed by a Catholic Funeral service at 11am. At 2pm, family and friends are invited to Maddox Ridge Event Center, 50 High View Lane, Cornish, Maine 04020.
Online condolence messages can be submitted at the Poitras Funeral Homes website, www.mainefuneral.com