I saw you as a very nice, sweet, and funny girl. You would have been a perfect woman but you had one big fault, you hated computers ! Maybe some people would say my humour has no sense here, but i know you would love it. I tried to help as i could, you were a great friend. My greatest regret will be not to have the opportunity to meet you for real. I know thanks to my dad people never die so i am waiting for you for a visit, just give me a sign, i 've so many things to tell you.LoveGuigui

Dear Bernhards Family,

I'll never forget seeing Jenny's face light up at the sight of Toby and the peace and comfort I felt as she asked me his favorite places to be scratched. He loved her immediately, but who wouldn't. Here is a poem for you that a friend shared with me. It seems quite fitting for Jenny.

Oh Ring no bells for her, But sing a song and say, She made a difference in the shape of things as she danced along our way. God Bless, Julie Lewis

Bernhards Family,

I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Jen. I never had the pleasure of meeting you but God blessed my life when I met Jen. She had a beautiful spirit and a caring heart. I never saw her sad or angry, she was always smiling. Jen was one of the best things about marching band and I'll never forget the fun times and laughs we shared throughout our years at AHS. She was a blessing to my life and to others. May God continue to bless and keep you during your time of bereavment.

Jen, thanks for the laughs, hugs, tears...and so much more. You are the best friend I've ever had.

Dear Janet, Vic, and Brian,

Thank you for posting Jen's service, we would have been there if we could have. I've read everything posted here and it seems like a very beautiful service with many elements that touched Jen's life in some way. Brian's and her friends' remembrances were especially touching. Jen will be remembered long and often, I'm sure, by many people. With love, Cheri & Jeff

Dear Bernhards Family,

We never had the pleasure to know Jennifer but we know she was a wonderful daughter, sister and friend. We do know Brian, and through him, we knew of the deep love he, and your family, had for her. Through Brian, and especially his words and music, Jennifer touched our lives. The “In Memory of Jennifer” website is a wonderful triumph to Jennifer and the difference she made in so many people’s lives. Thank you for sharing her life with us. Please accept our sincere condolences at this most difficult time. Our thoughts are with you and our prayer is that you will find great comfort, joy, and peace knowing that Jennifer’s love continues and that her beauty still shines on all of us.

Janice, Bill, Christina, Billy, and Ryan

I think everyone remembers when or how they met Jen - I knew Jen growing up at North Springfield and through High School. She was a bright soul whose smile you could never forget, and even though we weren't close, I always considered her a friend. I started at Envision EMI this week and I can see how it was a perfect fit for her enthusiam towards life.

I will always remember Jen as being a virbrant soul. She ALWAYS carried a smile wherever she was. My sympathies to her family and close friends. You will be dearly missed, Jen. Carpe Diem.

Janet,Vic,and Brian,

We knew Jenny not as a child but as a beautiful, loving, young women. She won our hearts with the warmth of her smile! Rebecca remembers helping her with the card making, and Rachel loved playing frisbee. Robert's favorite time was playing the word games after Jen's favorite meal. We can't imagine your loss but we know that Jen made and continues to make a real difference in the world and in people's lives!

All our love,

Jane, Jeff, Robert, Rebecca & Rachel

Dear Janet, Vic and Brian,

I met Jen through my work with the Delta Gamma's at UVA where I was an advisor. In an amazing group of women - Jen stood out. She never let her illness defeat her and was a warm and loving spirit. She was always giving back - first by finishing her term of office as VP new member educaton and then as a hostess greeting incoming DG Convention guests in the summer of 2004. Jen was an amazing person - a one of a kind - who was loved and will be missed by all.

Rainbow Point, elevation 9115. On the back of the photo, your mom wrote Jen (16) & Brian (11) Bernhards, Bryce Canyon '98. The next time I saw you was late spring of 2006 -- that same gorgeous smile greeted me despite your prognosis. What wonderful life you've given to all those who have known you. If ever I had a daughter, I would like for her to have been like you!

Love, Christy

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I love you, Jen.....my precious little girlfriend!  Kisses and many thousands of hugs to YOU!!!!!!!

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Vic, Jan and Brian, Still sending thoughts and prayers your way. It is hard to find words I think are fitting, but know much love surrounds you.

Comment: Jen,  It's springtime and the weather makes me think of you. I remember how much you loved to play outside. I miss you.xoxoxo

To my sweet, sweet Jenny Lou,

Today is your birthday. If I could only hug you just one more time, I would never let go.

I love you,

Mom

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The Lord giveth and the lord taketh away May God gracefully shine his face upon you and grant you his peace. May the lord be with you. Much love to you Jen for being a good person to everyone. I will lift you and your family up in my prayers. You will not be forgotten.

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Jen, I just discovered this website and laughed and cried looking at pictures and reading stories about you. You were loved by so many people - it's amazing that you had room in your heart for everyone. I miss you and think of you often. I wish you were still here with us. XOXO

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Jenny, I remember the day we first met while I was still in middle school and your smile would light even the worst times up. You were a great friend to everyone you met. I still keep your picture in my wallet and I always look at it from time to time to see the friend that I lost. Now that I am a music major at Louisiana State University, every performance I give is in rememberance of you and everything you gave me while I knew you.

Comment: I did not know her personally. She was beautiful and illuminated a sort of glow that held me in awe the first time I saw her. Spritely and sunny.

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I just moved and found a sweet card from your Mom so I thought I'd check back in at this memory website. Jen, you came up this weekend at Katie's wedding...it was the first time many of us had seen each other since your funeral. My how we miss you. A few weeks ago an old guy friend was hanging out at my place and looking through old photos. He found a picture of our DG pledge class and pointed you out right away, saying "I always thought this girl was drop-dead gorgeous when I saw her walking around campus, but I never had the guts to talk to her". I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Your reputation as a true beauty lives on...

Mrs. B's note:  Lauren--Thank you so much for posting.  There are many people who visit and revisit this site and they all enjoy reading stories about Jen as they occur.  We'll be putting up some new pictures shortly, so check back!

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Dear Mr. and Mrs. Bernhards,

My name is Catherine and I once took a literature course with your daughter at UVA. At the time I remember thinking, simply, that she was beautiful. Thin and tan, with impossibly golden curls.

It was a little later that we realized we had a friend in common: Sarah King. They were sorority sisters who'd bonded at beach week the previous summer. Sarah has been one of my best friends since ninth grade.

As was often the case at UVA, Jen and I had several acquaintances in common.  Her first-year roommate was at my 16th birthday party.  Jen dated Sean Johnson from my graduating class.  Jen's father was my housemate's middle school band director.

But it was Sarah who was our strongest link.  And when Jen stopped coming to class that semester, it was through Sarah that I learned the reason why.

I never knew Jen personally beyond a few conversations we had.  And yet, she became a presence in my life through Sarah's stories, little glimpses into her life before and after her cancer diagnosis.  I felt that I came to know a person who was at turns hilarious and coyly mischievous, smart and popular, goofy and gorgeous.  I felt I came to know a person who fought for her life with defiance, optimism, anger, hope, strength and grace.

I wanted you both to know that my thoughts have been with Jen and your family for several years now, and that as long as Sarah is in my life, Jen will always be there too.

Yours truly,

Catherine

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Thank you for the rainbows, Jenny...they were the highlight of our trip. XOXO

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I was friends with Jenn at Annandale and I remember her as a sweet person who would do anything for you. It shocked me today to find out that she passed away in 2006. She will truely be missed by many AHS alumni and staff.

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As I was walking this a.m. and listening to the ipod ... a song by David Bailey really struck me. You probably know the song but the words touched my heart and I ALL I COULD THINK ABOUT was your Jenny.

"She's pretty as a princess, she's careful as a cat, she's stronger than Gibraltar, but she'll never tell you that. She's simple as a raindrop, but there's mystery in her smile. In a thousand different ways, she's got style. She can heal you when you're wounded, she can also break your heart, she's got a head for science, and she's got an eye for art. She'll never run a red light but she'll go the extra mile....She'll dazzle you in demin, she has no need for silk, she's the life of every party even though she's drinking milk. She's gentle as a snowflake but she'll beat you in a trial...she's got style."

janet c.

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"Lord ,I can only Imagine when all I will do is forever, Worship You" I am sitting here in total shock because I have just found out about Jen's passing. I have been thinking about her all day and the great smile that she always had when i saw her. She always had a kind word to say and always flashed her million-dollar smile. I will come here often just to see that smile. I will keep your family in my prayers. Baby Girl you got your wings..Light up heaven with your sweet spirit..

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Dearest of Jens, this site has been such a balm these past two years; your printed words continue to express your goodness so clearly, and your smile continues to radiate from the page eternally. But it is your trumpet playing which calls to me the strongest from your place among the angels; I feel you so close by when I listen, it is both wrenching and sweet, and I thank your dear parents so much for sharing these things of your very essence with all of us who miss you so much. Jen,I love you. M

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I just wanted to let you know that I am thinking about your family today. I have been missing Jen a lot lately. Looking through the pictures on this site brings back many memories. We miss you Jen...

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Thinking about you guys--

I hope your day was alright. What I like is that when I think of Jen I get sad at first, but then I always end up with a smile on my face bc something goofy we did comes to mind... and I think she'd like that. You know?

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To my Jenny Lou,

I so wish you could have shared this historical day with us. I know you would have been proud to vote Obama, and we would have made several pointed comments about Sarah Palin. I miss my confidante...

Love, Mom

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Just thinking of you- as always.

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J- I always knew you were a light and a presence, but I never knew until this year that you will be walking every step and shaping every choice with me. What a profound blessing...and yet, I wish instead you were here next to me to help me sort it all through. I really could use you these days. I suppose it's a good thing I've got you, for I carry you in my heart. thanks to mr. cummings for that. great great love, my friend,

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I come by from time to time to look at the pictures and I find myself just starring at my computer screen and I just see Jenn's beautiful smile. You are in my prayers everyday. I am coming to the race on the 3rd of May, and I'm bringing my son so that he can see what an impact one person can have on so many people. Thank you for starting this page it helps me get through some bad days :).

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For the first time I am looking at this site and am very moved by Jen's memorial website. I first met Jen and her family when I was invited for a Thanksgiving meal. I taught her brother Brian tennis when he came to the club at age 12(?). The Bernhards family makes you welcomed and you know they are a very close knit family. They loved playing practical jokes on each other! Jen, if tears can build a stairway, and memories a lane, I'd walk right up to heaven and bring you home again.

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Thank you so much for posting the photos from our first year at UVA. What memories we all made together. It's so appropriate that many of the photos are in the hallway--that's where we spent most of our time! And always right in the middle, in front of Jen and Sue's room. It's funny, because another Dabney doll alerted us to the slideshow on Jen's site and now we're emailing updates about where we are now, five years after college. Jen was always, will always be, the glue.

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Jenny, It feels like yesterday.....and forever.....

I love you,

Mom

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It's your Birthday, Jenny! Happy Birthday!!! You are so greatly loved, and so unbelievably missed.

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happy birthday jenny! xoxo

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So empty here these last months.... I wonder if anyone still visits :-(

xoxoxoxo Mom

Comment: Of course we do, Mommy B!! Love You!! (Love you too, Jen)

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I think of you often, sweet Jenny. We all miss you so very much. Thankfully we have this amazing website created and maintained by your mother that we can visit often. I enjoy reading what other people have said and learning how many lives you touched. Love, Aunt Nancy

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Thinking of you today...and almost everyday

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The video is wonderful... made me smile and laugh out loud thinking about all the fun we had. Thanks for bringing back all those wonderful memories.

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Jenny, I think about you everyday but especially today. I am coming to visit you after work. Love, Robert

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Thinking of Jen and all the Bernhards today.

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 Well, I was doing okay till I saw what your Mom wrote on your birthday.I think of you every single day Jenny. There just aren't any words to express my love and loss for you. You are a shining star Baby Girl! Love you, aunt janet

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Thanks Mrs. B. The video took me from a tough day...to a better place. Miss you J

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I think of Jen often and really miss her. She was an amazing friend. Thinking of you all today....

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I met Bernhards family in Paris one day and Jennifer was there, I was then introduced to a beautiful girl I thought to myself. Even though I did not know her, you could tell that she was a sweet girl. Just wanted to share this remembering moment of time. Thierry

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I'm writing now, because from my part I would like you to know, that people aren't forgetting all the time. They think of you and not just on special dates. I think back about the times I had at your house a lot and of course how you all made me feel so welcome. I will never forget how much fun I had hanging around with Jenny and what a kind, funny and adorable person she was!

Love, Chrissi

Comment: Just dropped in to kiss your pretty face. Love you!!!

Comment: Merry Christmas, Jen!!!

Comment: Merry Christmas, Honeypie! Miss you.

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Dear Jenny Lou,

Last weekend we had a Megaxe/zumba fundraiser as part of the Race for Hope. We raised $1760!!

One woman told me while she was dancing, she was sending positive vibes to your spirit. Did you feel them? :-)

After hearing your friends talk about you and reading your booklet, my instructor wrote this about you, and she didn't even know you!!!

"Jen was diagnosed in the 3rd year while studying at UVA and became an inspirational voice to educate people about living with the disease (note she didn't say battling!!) and actively fought to find the cure. She was one of those SUPER PEOPLE who lived life to the fullest and continually worked to help and inspire others. We hope to continue her journey and let her voice resonate in our coming MEGAXE."  (= positive vibes/fundraiser).

Boy, she's got your number.

Thinking of you countless times every day,

xoxox

Mom

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Hey Gorgeous!! Just wanted to say... Happy Birthday!!!! XOXO!!

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Happy belated Jenny! Missin you everyday! Love, "Bobert"

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Dear Bernhards Family, I became friends with Brian after Jenny's passing, so I never had the privilege of meeting her. Listening to Brian's stories about her has, however, changed the way I look at my own family, especially my younger brother. She has inspired me to share with him how much I love him. I hope to be the kind of sister to him that Jenny was to Brian. It is in this way that she has changed the life of someone she never met. Love, Olivia

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I think of this as Jenny's "wall". I remember how much you disliked computers but I wonder if you would have been a fan of facebook. Thinking of you, your Mom and Dad, and Brian especially today but also everyday.

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Hey Jenny! I agree with your Aunt Nancy... I've always kinda thought about this page as your Facebook wall too. Just thinking of you... (doesn't make today particularly special since I think of you a great deal), but I hope you know how much you are remembered and loved. I'm sure we'll be subjecting your parents to our horrible "shows" again someday... PS- enjoy my Gracie if you see her. You two would have a ball together! XOXOXO

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 xoxoxo. " ... there are no conditions so adverse as to squash kindness, generosity, and warmth... " all my love.

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Remembering Jenny and thinking of the Bernhards Family. Merry Christmas. Love, Skipper Family

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Jenny, Starting the fundraising for you today. Miss you. Love, Rob

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Today is your birthday! Happy Birthday, Jen!!! Love, and miss you always!!!

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Happy Birthday Jenny. Thinking of you and your family especially today.

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Jenny -

Happy Birthday, angel. I miss you very very much (understatement), and was just thinking of you this weekend -- of our apartment 4th year ... And I also had dinner with Katrina this past Sunday.  We had a good time but we would have loved it if you were with us ... Which brings me to one of my favorite peaceful memories --- remember when you, Katrina, and I drove to beach week together? You introduced me to Jack Johnson ... If my memory serves me well, you loved the "Bubble Toes" song ... Very fitting since you were always so bubbly and full of life. Life isn't the same without you - not as bubbly or full. I think I've been back 1-2x to UVA since we graduated, and both of those times were before we lost you. It's too sad for me to go back without you. It's just not the same place without you here. I can't even think about the DG swing ... Or when we used to run around Phi Psi in our sweats, eating potato chips (the questionable kind - oline?), during their parties ... Those we're some good times.  Love.

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Happy Birthday sweetie. I know I'm a little late on this one, but I was most definitely thinking about you yesterday and what a positive impact your life made on so many others. Love you Always!

Comment: I can't believe it's been 5 years Jenny! :( Miss you everyday. Love, Rob

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Janet, it is so wonderful to see this guestbook become something like a forum, and to be able to read the loving messages to or about Jenny. I found this poem and thought of her today: There are stars up above, so far away we only see their light long, long after the star itself is gone. And so it is with people that we love- their memories keep shining ever brightly though their time with us is done. But the stars that light up the darkest night, these are the lights that guide us.

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Love and Hugs... There has not been a week go by that your name wasn't mentioned in our home. (Ed forgets that he's actually never met you:) Your impact on so many of us was absolutely lifelong. As Brian says, "I heart you."

Comment: No visitors at Christmas--at least not signed in ones. So sad. But I'm here...........always. Love, Mom

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Jenny, been busy with work, but I have been training to get in shape for the race! Miss you! -Bobert

Comment: Happy Birthday, Jenny!!!! Love you, and miss you... always XO

Comment: I miss you more then any words can say. You were a ray of sunshine in my life that will never ever leave my heart. I love you Jenny. And I'm hugging you right now. Auntie Janet.

Comment: O Jenny. What I wouldn't do for one of your pep talks right now. Love, Bobert

Comment: I cannot believe it's been 6 years...

Comment: If your brother were here with me today, I would dress him up as a girl, force his feet into jelly sandals, and smother his face in makeup... in Your honor, of course;) XO

Comment:  <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

Comment: I was thinking about the New Year and race in May today and so most definitely thinking about you. <3 <3 <3 I think about you often and smile at the amazing memories! Love Always, Alisa

Comment: I miss you Baby Girl. And I love you. Give Grandma a hug for me and tell her I love her.

Comment: Hey Jenny, Just registered for the race! I'm definitely getting a lot of old friends out to support the cause. Miss you everyday.

Comment: I didn't forget. We love you, and miss you every day.

Comment: Thank you for keeping this site open. I was searching for inspiration to teach a Sr High Sunday School class and Jen's insights still resonate and provide strength. Many thanks - she is missed and yet lives.

Comment: Love you Jenny. I do not know how 7 years have passed. You are still right here in my heart. Run with Toby.

Comment: Thinking of you, and your family today. xoxo

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Hello my beautiful girl,

We went biking on the Virginia Creeper Trail this weekend. Do you remember the picture of you 'kissing' the donkey. I tried to find the donkey so I could be a copy cat, but he wasn't there... no surprise... It was an eventful ride, especially at bridge 24, as I'm sure you know. Your brother celebrated today in a way I know you would have appreciated, too.

You asked me if I thought people would remember you... I can assure you now, just as I did seven years ago, that they will and they do. People tell me stories about you; they post little notes on Facebook; they tell us how much they liked hearing your giggle in the 'Toby video' I posted; they send us cards.....yes, even now! We cherish all of them.  And even though you weren't 100% happy with your booklet, it has helped many people over the years. I could write pages and pages, but I'll stop now.

"I carry you in my heart".... everywhere and always,

Love,

Mom

Comment: Lots of love and hugs, forever and ever. <3 <3 <3 <3

Comment: It's your birthday, sweet girl. Been thinking about you all day. Sending you loads love, jelly slippers, and side ponytails. Xo

Comment: I love you Jenny. You haven't been forgotten, not ever. I miss you baby girl, more than anyone knows.

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Hey Jen, I can't believe it's been 8 years without you. I can honestly say I still think about you everyday, such was the effect you had on my life. I'm moving in with my gf in 2 weeks, parents are moving, so much of this I would like to talk about with you. Thanks for keeping an eye out for me. Love, Rob

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Thinking you and your family today. Your mom, dad, Brian. I'll always love you! Love, auntie janet

Comment: <3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3 

Comment: Oh Jenny, How I wish we were discussing all of the craziness of motherhood together right now. You would have been incredible. Not reuniting with you and your family earlier is my single greatest regret. Xoxo

Comment: I think of you regularly. You were such a light. Continuing to send love to your family.