“There are truly only two people in this world... Those that loved Jersey and those that never knew Jersey.”

- Pastor Tim Benjamin

An Open Letter from Jody & Alison Poff

To Live Like Jersey

On Sunday, September 3, 2023, at 2:39 p.m. the life we had known for the past 11 years changed in just 24 quick hours following the onset of an acute illness which took the life of our daughter, Jersey. A parent’s worst nightmare became our reality. Our bright, beautiful, and loving daughter was embraced in the arms of Jesus; leaving us feeling entirely helpless. The outpouring of love and support we have received over the past several weeks from our families, friends, and communities has lifted our spirits and shed light upon us in a time of such darkness. For that, we are forever thankful, and words will never be enough to express our gratitude. We would like to take this opportunity to share with you what our Jersey Girl meant to us and so many others.

July 21, 2012, is a day we will cherish forever – the day that our daughter, Jersey June Poff, was born. From day one it was clear to all that Jersey had a special spark. She lit up every room and knew no stranger. Her fire burned bright, and she was friends with all – from the young to the old. From early on, it was obvious she was our social butterfly... wise beyond her years and often referred to as an ‘old soul’. A passionate being, a Dolly Parton fanatic, a rollercoaster thrill-seeker, a lover of dinosaurs, a sports enthusiast, a bookworm and most recently a novice crocheter ... she did it all. In her short time with us, Jersey involved herself in a wide range of

activities and events – always sharing her genuine passion for love and life itself. Dance, Swim and Dive, Soccer, Art Lessons, Golf, Tennis, Gymnastics, Wrestling, Girl Scouts, Acting, Singing, Volunteering and Fundraising – were just the beginning. It is no surprise that despite achieving so much during her time with us she had created a bucket list filled with ongoing dreams and aspirations. Her biggest desire in life was to make the lives of those around her even better.

She was always finding a “stage” on which she could perform - whether it was at Church singing while her daddy played the drums, at a dance recital with her peers, or on the fireplace hearth of her grandparents’ house expressing her genuine love for life. As her performance “stages” grew, so did she. Her facial expressions were unmatched at dance competitions - she was FEARLESS. Her personality radiated at the 2019 Little Miss Summerfest pageant where she was crowned Queen - she was INSPIRING. Her beautiful voice was so powerful that she silenced an entire audience at an AAA Pro League hockey game while singing the National Anthem on the ice - she was CONFIDENT. But, of all her performances, the most exceptional was her love and passion for her faith and Christ - she was a BELIEVER.

April 09, 2017, is a date we have reflected upon quite often. During a “Night of Worship” at church, our sweet Jersey saw Jesus for the first time. She was just four years old. There was a moment during that service when our young daughter was very clearly overtaken with emotion

– we would discover later that evening just why. Jersey shared with us that while our church family was sitting in the pews she looked over at the “Last Supper” table which was on display and saw her Jesus sitting there with “his friends". She had always been eager to share every

fine detail of this moment which she so vividly recalled and which no four-year-old would be able to fabricate on their own. Those who attended Jersey’s visitation and funeral services may recall seeing a re-creation of this “Last Supper” table displayed near her. The display served as a prominent representation of Jersey seeing Jesus for the very first time, and thereafter living a life following His lead.

As Jersey’s parents we feel honored to have had front row seats watching her create a life full of faith and love that she so freely sprinkled onto others. She lived her life filled with intention, seen so distinctly in the unique bonds she formed with her five siblings – whom she adored greatly – a truly incomparable sister. While we were aware of the lives she impacted, we could never have imagined the vast number she reached. She was able to make the biggest impact and left the strongest impression on those she met – even after just a single encounter. Wherever we were, it was inevitable that we would hear “Hey, Jersey” or “Hi, Jers” leaving us baffled and wondering how everyone knew her. We have always been in awe that our daughter, throughout her 11 years, always had a larger “fan base” than we.

The choices she made through life were led by faith and reflective of her kindness, compassion, generosity, and selflessness. We knew she was doing big things, but we did not realize the depth of impact her choices had on others; evident by the number of people who have now chosen to come together and “Live Like Jersey”.

To our hometown community members and businesses of St. Marys, OH, who rallied together in a moments’ time to create a “PINK OUT” (her favorite color) of town...painting every storefront window hot pink with uplifting words “Live Like Jersey, Sing Like Dolly” and “Be Kind”, making pink community t-shirts with the lyrics of Anne Wilson’s My Jesus song “... Let me tell you ‘bout my Jesus”, accessorizing with pink button pins/hairbows/wristbands in her honor, decorating your homes and vehicles with pink ribbons/window paint/balloons/porch lights, creating various fundraisers along with countless other ways of displaying love and compassion for our family – may you continue to “Live Like Jersey”.

To our neighboring communities, churches, and extracurricular teams/organizations who have honored Jersey’s life and shown tremendous support for our family and community - may you continue to “Live Like Jersey”.

To the medical staff at Joint Township District Memorial Hospital and Dayton Children’s Hospital who diligently cared for our amazing daughter – may you continue to “Live Like Jersey”.

To those who donated money for a project she was truly passionate about, the All-Abilities Park, assisting in the completion of fundraising efforts - may you continue to “Live Like Jersey”.

To our Wayne Street Church family who are continuing to carry us through this unimaginable pain – may you continue to “Live Like Jersey”.

To our close friends and family who have been here with us assisting and managing day-to-day tasks that we cannot currently muster the strength to do – may you continue to “Live Like Jersey”.

We thank Anne Wilson, singer and songwriter, for composing Jersey’s favorite song, My Jesus, a worship tribute to our Heavenly Father demonstrating a desire for people to know that Jesus can help us through any situation we are going through. This song has now touched many lives in our community.

We thank Miller Funeral Home for honoring Jersey’s life in a manner she would have loved. Assisted by eighteen pallbearers - including four of her best friends dressed in matching hot pink jumpers, her soccer team of fourteen girls dressed in pink uniforms, and four honorable men of her life - a majestic white Percheron draft horse adorned with hot pink bows and

painted hooves brought her to her final resting place, in a custom hot pink casket, by way of an 1870’s horse-drawn hearse. Thank you to the immense number of people who attended Jersey’s funeral services. You have all touched our hearts in a way that is indescribable, and we will be forever grateful for your support.

A Scholarship Program has been established through the St. Marys Community Foundation Board and we plan to begin a private Foundation in her honor – “The Live Like Jersey Foundation”. We promise to continue spreading her joy of life. We will attempt to move in a forward direction with the mindset to “Live Like Jersey”. We hope that you will all share your

“Live Like Jersey” moments with us, as we intend to share with you. We are hopeful that she will continue to show herself in our lives... her beauty through pink skies, her confidence through bold rainbows, her zest for life in dinosaur shaped clouds, and her love for all through kind words and the discipleship of Jesus. While Jersey’s last “stage” for us to visit is at her gravesite, it is with absolute certainty that her final performance is on the eternal “stage” of Heaven with her Jesus.

“Well done, good and faithful servant!”

– Matthew 25:23

With open hearts of love and gratitude,

Jody & Alison Poff