Jen’s sudden passing in June leaves her family and friends immensely heartbroken. But her memory lives on in the hearts of so many. Jen was an inspiration to all who knew her and she lived her life the only way she knew how—courageously.

When Jen started her partnership with the Children’s Organ Transplant Association to assist with her third double lung transplant, she named her COTA campaign “COTA for Jen Warrior.” Jen officially earned the title “Jen Warrior” from retired U.S. Army Colonel/retired Indiana Supreme Court Justice Steven David because of her fierce determination and infectious positive attitude.  But what is the legend of Jen Warrior?

As with any legend, it happened gradually and all at once. Jen’s warrior mentality began at Riley Hospital for Children when she was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis as a toddler. The wonderfully kind medical staff set her on her path as early members of “Team Jen.”  These positive experiences as a Riley kid (along with her favorite socks) took the fear and anxiety out of CF treatments and hospitalizations. With encouragement from her family and doctors, Jen learned she could have an active and engaged life outside of her healthcare needs. Because of this, Jen did not let CF define her—she used it to discover her many passions: music, reading, learning, community involvement, public service, and genuine care for others.

Another important step in the journey to warrior status took place at CF summer camp in Illinois. As a young camper, Jen was surrounded by a loving community of people that motivated her to live a life of purpose. Camp showed her that time is precious and life could be lived without limitations. So young Jen went to work living her life. She played little league and became a CF ambassador of courage. She learned to manage her CF treatments and meds. And she didn’t let health setbacks slow her down. Faced with missing a high school orchestra concert while she was in the hospital, Jen showed up and played her cello while sporting an I-V pole. When her lung capacity started to fail in college, Jen attended classes with her oxygen tank in tow and even completed coursework from a hospital bed after a serious health emergency. With a diploma in hand and the lessons from camp firmly in place, Jen set off to find her purpose and direction.

This search led Jen to make the first big bet on herself—she went back to school to earn a law degree. There was no guarantee that she would live to graduate or even have a career. But as Jen liked to say, something clicked in law school and she found herself at IU. Just like the Hoosiers, she was never daunted. Despite continued health challenges, Jen thrived and impressed professors and classmates with her determination and grit. Jen Warrior was coming into sharper focus and the bet paid dividends both professionally and personally. Jen found a path forward with a rewarding career in public service at the Indiana Tax Court and Indiana Supreme Court, and she learned how to be independent and confident as a volunteer, advocate, committed friend, and family member.

Perhaps the most important step in achieving warrior status took place when Jen made the second big bet on herself—she took a giant leap of faith and started her transplant journey. She was motivated by one desire: to breathe freely. After each transplant surgery, Jen understood the assignment—honor her donor heroes every single day. She vowed to live her life YOLO. She explained, “I have a YOLO tattoo. Not that I need to be reminded that ‘you only live once,’ but when I see it, I am reminded of soaking up the present, of enjoying every moment, right now. YOLO means living life to the fullest.” There is no doubt that Jen did exactly that. Her new lungs allowed her to travel far and wide, watch sunrises and sunsets on the beach, hike the infamous Mist Trail at Yosemite (with the help of friends), run the mini-marathon, enjoy good coffee and read good books, share time with friends and family, make beautiful music (with the Carmel Symphony, local musicals, her strings trio, and even at Carnegie Hall), and appreciate the mystery of nature, all while breathing freely. Jen was blessed with the gift of life three times. And each time she proved that she contained multitudes… CF and organ donor advocate, accomplished attorney and musician, transplant games athlete and world traveler, philanthropist and fundraiser, friend and beloved. Team Jen grew after each transplant, with a wide and diverse circle of supportive friends, family, and community, all because Jen was open to the compassion and caring of others.

Jen once said “if you live your life with kindness and thoughtfulness, you will never have regret.” Wise words from a gentle warrior. And more wise words from Jen just last year: “Be the things you loved most about the people who are gone.” Let’s do that. Let’s honor Jen’s memory by being the things we loved most about her… hopeful, kind, thoughtful, strong, positive, fierce, loyal, curious, adventurous, mischievous, creative, generous, and loving (to name just a few). Jen would like that.

As we bring Jen’s blog to a close, we’ll end it the way she wanted every post to end, with this single yet profound word: “Onward.” This is the Jen Warrior battle cry that encompassed her life spirit and her ability to always move forward with hope. A quote from Emily Dickinson, one of Jen’s favorite poets, sums it up nicely: “Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul — and sings the tunes without the words — and never stops at all.” So, until we meet again, Jen Warrior—Onward!

PS—Thank you for supporting COTA in Jen’s honor and many thanks to COTA for supporting Jen in her time of need. It meant the world to her. COTA does such important work on behalf of children who need life-saving transplants and individuals of any age with single-gene disorders such as Cystic Fibrosis. Jen was honored to be part of the COTA family.