Obituary:
The St. Paul, Minnesota community is mourning the sudden and heartbreaking loss of Jennifer Zerwas, a cherished daughter, loyal friend, dedicated clinical coordinator, and passionate mental health advocate. Jennifer passed away earlier this week, leaving behind a legacy defined by compassion, resilience, and service to others.
A proud native of the Twin Cities, Jennifer’s life was rooted in deep empathy and a desire to help. From her school years through her professional life, she was known for her intelligence, generosity, and unwavering warmth. She made a lasting impact through her work as a clinical coordinator in patient and family relations, offering comfort and dignity to those navigating some of life’s hardest moments.
In addition to her professional role, Jennifer was a public speaker and mental health advocate, particularly focusing on first-responder PTSD. Drawing from personal experience and professional insight, she inspired change by speaking openly about emotional wellness and healing. Her talks were both powerful and deeply human, sparking dialogue and helping break stigma in workplaces and communities.
Jennifer was also a gifted storyteller, writer, and aspiring artist. She celebrated the beauty in small things—morning coffee, handwritten cards, quiet walks, and shared laughter. Friends remember her as someone who made you feel like the most important person in the room, someone whose thoughtfulness showed up in carefully crafted playlists, baked goods, or just being present in your darkest hour.
At her core, Jennifer was a deeply loving and devoted family member. Her parents, siblings, and extended family were her grounding force, and she held them close through every season of life. Holiday dinners, weekend calls, and joyful reunions are just a few of the cherished memories her family holds close.
Though the cause of her passing remains private, the loss of Jennifer Zerwas has left a deep void in the hearts of those who loved her. Friends, colleagues, and loved ones have taken to social media and community spaces to share tributes—stories of her kindness, her strength, and the healing light she brought to every space she entered.
Jennifer is survived by her loving parents, devoted siblings, extended family, and countless friends who are united in both grief and gratitude for her presence in their lives.
Plans for a memorial service are underway and will be shared in the coming days. In honoring Jennifer’s life, her family asks that her memory be celebrated through acts of kindness, open conversations about mental health, and continued support for those in need.
Rest in peace, Jennifer Zerwas. You were a light in this world, and that light lives on in the love you gave so freely.
