In Memory Of
Jennifer Eileen Gillis
1967
2022
Jennifer Eileen Gillis
March 8, 1967 — August 7, 2022
Jennifer Eileen Gillis
Sunrise March 8th, 1967- Sunset August 7th, 2022
Jennifer Eileen was born to Neil and Joan Gillis in San Bernardino, California on March 8th of 1967. She is survived by her three sisters: Kathleen, Betsy, and Amy, her five brothers: Daniel, David, Michael, John, and Will, and her mother Joan. Jennifer's memory will live on through her four daughters Madeline Rose (32), Annelise Joan (30), Isabelle Laura (22), and Julia Eileen (20) and her husband and father of her four beloved daughters, Craig Lewis Lawrence.
Growing up Jennifer attended Our Lady of Fatima from Kindergarten to Eighth grade and transitioned to Wheatridge High School where she graduated in 1985. During her four years at Wheatridge High School she was a star basketball player qualifying for the Junior Olympics and bringing her team to state Junior year. Her love for basketball was something she shared with each of her daughters, often being the head coach for their recreation teams.
From a young age Jennifer had a yearning passion for education. She started off her Undergraduate journey at University of Utah eventually obtaining her Bachelors of Arts in Elementary Education from Metropolitan State University in 1996. Jennifer was determined to graduate while having to raise her two oldest Madeline and Annelise while working opposite schedules of her husband Craig.
Jennifer impacted the lives of many children over her 30 years of teaching. She began her teaching journey at The Peanut Gallery Daycare after she graduated high school. After she obtained her degree, she began teaching in Jefferson Public Schools in Colorado as well as: Snohomish County Schools , Washington, Douglas County Schools, and eventually finished her teaching career in Aurora Public Schools at Edna and John W. Mosley Elementary School. Her passion for education didn't stop at the classroom. Jennifer's legacy for changing the lives of others lives on in each of her daughters; Madeline who serves her community by working for the Denver Police Department as a Fingerprint Technician, Annelise who changes the lives of each of her students at Dr. Justina Ford Elementary as a fourth-grade teacher, Isabelle who fosters growth of her students at The Lawton Taylor Academy and is on the educational journey to become an elementary teacher, and Julia who works as a Certified Nurse Assistant at St. Mary's Hospital while obtaining her Bachelors of Science in Nursing at Colorado Mesa University, in hopes to one day be a Pediatric Nurse.
Jennifer lived a passionate life. Jennifer had many friendships throughout her 55 years. She had friendships that lasted decades, through games of Caravan, with her colleagues, and even formed lasting relationships with some of the families from her classrooms. Jennifer also loved each of her pets, who she often referred to as her "favorite" children. On July 26th, 2022 the family had to put their first family dog Sophie down. It brings the family great comfort to know Jennifer has Sophie to cuddle up with in Heaven. Jennifer's love for sports did not stop at basketball. After attending a Seattle Seahawks game during her time in Washington she bleed blue and green. She only recently became a Denver Broncos fan after Russell Wilson was traded. Jennifer also loved to explore her home state of Colorado by hiking or going on drives with her girls. She finished four Fourteeners with Annelise by her side. Her passion for exploring was not limited to just Colorado. Jennifer and her family conquered a majority of the 50-states capitals, eventually making it off the continental US to Honolulu, Hawaii.
Jennifer's wishes were to be scattered in a place that she held so close to her heart, Hawaii. One of her favorite memories was the time she spent with her daughters exploring the island of Oahu. Her daughters will honor these wishes and give their sweet Mother a beautiful resting place.
The family will be honoring Jennifer's life with a private service on Tuesday August 16th, 2022.
Her family hopes to plan a memorial service for family and friends later in the fall of 2022.
Jennifer's family would love for you to share the stories and memories of how Jennifer has impacted your life, even if it is as small as a smile.
Sunrise March 8th, 1967- Sunset August 7th, 2022
Jennifer Eileen was born to Neil and Joan Gillis in San Bernardino, California on March 8th of 1967. She is survived by her three sisters: Kathleen, Betsy, and Amy, her five brothers: Daniel, David, Michael, John, and Will, and her mother Joan. Jennifer's memory will live on through her four daughters Madeline Rose (32), Annelise Joan (30), Isabelle Laura (22), and Julia Eileen (20) and her husband and father of her four beloved daughters, Craig Lewis Lawrence.
Growing up Jennifer attended Our Lady of Fatima from Kindergarten to Eighth grade and transitioned to Wheatridge High School where she graduated in 1985. During her four years at Wheatridge High School she was a star basketball player qualifying for the Junior Olympics and bringing her team to state Junior year. Her love for basketball was something she shared with each of her daughters, often being the head coach for their recreation teams.
From a young age Jennifer had a yearning passion for education. She started off her Undergraduate journey at University of Utah eventually obtaining her Bachelors of Arts in Elementary Education from Metropolitan State University in 1996. Jennifer was determined to graduate while having to raise her two oldest Madeline and Annelise while working opposite schedules of her husband Craig.
Jennifer impacted the lives of many children over her 30 years of teaching. She began her teaching journey at The Peanut Gallery Daycare after she graduated high school. After she obtained her degree, she began teaching in Jefferson Public Schools in Colorado as well as: Snohomish County Schools , Washington, Douglas County Schools, and eventually finished her teaching career in Aurora Public Schools at Edna and John W. Mosley Elementary School. Her passion for education didn't stop at the classroom. Jennifer's legacy for changing the lives of others lives on in each of her daughters; Madeline who serves her community by working for the Denver Police Department as a Fingerprint Technician, Annelise who changes the lives of each of her students at Dr. Justina Ford Elementary as a fourth-grade teacher, Isabelle who fosters growth of her students at The Lawton Taylor Academy and is on the educational journey to become an elementary teacher, and Julia who works as a Certified Nurse Assistant at St. Mary's Hospital while obtaining her Bachelors of Science in Nursing at Colorado Mesa University, in hopes to one day be a Pediatric Nurse.
Jennifer lived a passionate life. Jennifer had many friendships throughout her 55 years. She had friendships that lasted decades, through games of Caravan, with her colleagues, and even formed lasting relationships with some of the families from her classrooms. Jennifer also loved each of her pets, who she often referred to as her "favorite" children. On July 26th, 2022 the family had to put their first family dog Sophie down. It brings the family great comfort to know Jennifer has Sophie to cuddle up with in Heaven. Jennifer's love for sports did not stop at basketball. After attending a Seattle Seahawks game during her time in Washington she bleed blue and green. She only recently became a Denver Broncos fan after Russell Wilson was traded. Jennifer also loved to explore her home state of Colorado by hiking or going on drives with her girls. She finished four Fourteeners with Annelise by her side. Her passion for exploring was not limited to just Colorado. Jennifer and her family conquered a majority of the 50-states capitals, eventually making it off the continental US to Honolulu, Hawaii.
Jennifer's wishes were to be scattered in a place that she held so close to her heart, Hawaii. One of her favorite memories was the time she spent with her daughters exploring the island of Oahu. Her daughters will honor these wishes and give their sweet Mother a beautiful resting place.
The family will be honoring Jennifer's life with a private service on Tuesday August 16th, 2022.
Her family hopes to plan a memorial service for family and friends later in the fall of 2022.
Jennifer's family would love for you to share the stories and memories of how Jennifer has impacted your life, even if it is as small as a smile.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Jennifer Eileen Gillis, please visit our flower store.
Guestbook
Visits: 8
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors