Obituary of Jessica Anne Rodger

With profound sadness, we announce the passing of Jessica Anne Rodger, 48, who left this world peacefully at home on December 7, 2025, surrounded by her immediate family.

Jessica is survived by her devoted mother, Carolyn Meyer; father, John Rodger (Kathie Rodger); sisters, Katie Hitchcock (Russell Hitchcock), Emily Rodger, and Elizabeth Hallam (Ryan Hallam); stepbrother, Nathaniel Collings, and his son, Jaxson, as well as her nieces and nephew, Leah, Esmé, Ari and Layla. All of them adored their Jess and were endlessly adored in return.

Jessica was also deeply loved by her extended family of aunts, uncles—in particular Mr. Merman—and cousins, all of whom played meaningful roles throughout her life. Their support, encouragement, and affection helped shape the vibrant, joy-filled woman she became.

Born with Down syndrome, Jessica began life facing challenges, including open-heart surgery as an infant. Yet from the very beginning, she surpassed every expectation. With Carolyn steadfastly leading the way—advocating, learning, and embracing early intervention long before it was common—Jessica grew into a woman whose independence, perseverance, faith, and joy became her defining traits. Carolyn cared for Jessica with unending devotion not only in childhood, but again through Jessica’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis and right through to her final breath; their mother-daughter bond was extraordinary

Before Alzheimer’s changed her life, Jessica built a world entirely her own. She lived independently in her very own apartment, worked full-time at a preschool center, and demonstrated every day what it meant to rise with courage and move with a quiet confidence. She was endlessly creative—knitting, colouring, crafting—and she was forever making thoughtful, homemade gifts for the people she loved. No occasion was needed; generosity was simply her default setting. She donated all the sales of her dishcloths to the Cancer Society.

Jessica was kind, polite, observant, and remarkably quick-witted. She had a gift for one-liners that could catch you off-guard and leave the whole room laughing. To her everyday was “the best day ever”. She told her family she loved them countless times a day—freely, sincerely, and without reservation. She was proud of every one of them, and she made sure they knew it.

The past few years brought the challenges of Alzheimer’s, and although the disease softened parts of her world, it never dimmed her sweetness, her faith, or the love she held for her family. In the last few days of her life, everything changed very quickly, yet even then, Jessica’s heart guided her. The day before she passed, she was able to speak clearly her wish to have “all of her family” with her. That wish was fulfilled. She departed this life peacefully, wrapped in the love, presence, and gratitude of those who cherished her most.

Jessica’s life was defined not by limitations, but by the joy she created, the people she touched, and the love she gave so easily. She will be remembered forever for her bright spirit, her gentle humour, her deep affection, and her extraordinary ability to make every day—and everyone—feel special.

Jessica’s family takes comfort in knowing that her spirit is now held safely in the loving embrace of Heaven—a place she often spoke of with quiet certainty. Her faith was simple, steadfast, and deeply rooted in love. She believed wholeheartedly in a peace beyond this world, and today she rests in that very peace, surrounded by the same light and tenderness she so freely gave in life.

There will be no visitation or service. Those who feel moved to honour her memory may make donations to the Fredericton Down Syndrome Society or the Alzheimer’s Association.