Obituary of JENNIFER GABRIELLE DEFREYNE

DEFREYNE, Jennifer Gabrielle – With heavy hearts, the family announces the passing of Jen, peacefully at home and surrounded by love on Monday, October 21, 2019 at the age of 45.  Cherished partner of Jenn Shepherd.  Deeply loved daughter of Bob and Mary Defreyne.  Precious sister of Bob (and Sue) Defreyne, Joanne Defreyne, Kelly (and Jeff) VanLeuvenhage.  Super cool aunt of Chloe, Madi, Jordyn, Noah, Adam, Rachel, Devin, Caleb, and Max. Treasured member of the Shepherd family, Judy (and the late John), Jonathon, Jeff (and Ruth), Rowan, and Audrey.  Jen will be deeply missed by extended family and many friends in Vancouver, St. John’s and Ontario.  As an avid athlete, she will also be fondly remembered by her baseball and hockey teammates and golfing friends. As a leading hydrometallurgist refining copper, nickel and zinc, Jen’s 22-year engineering career took her coast to coast in Canada, to South America and to Australia. Her many notable accomplishments include the design and build of the U.H.C. Copper Refinery in Brazil and the Long Harbour Nickel Refinery in Newfoundland. A frequent conference speaker, she was also featured in the McMaster University Alumni Magazine for her work mentoring women in Engineering. Jen’s latest project and business venture allowed her to live out the dream of owning a craft brewery, Landwash Brewery.  A Celebration of Jen’s life will be held at the Green’s of Renton on Sunday, November 3, 2019 from 2-6pm and tributes will be shared at 4pm.  In lieu of flowers, donations to The Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada would be appreciated by the family. Funeral arrangements are entrusted with THOMPSON-MOTT FUNERAL HOME, Waterford, 519-443-5332.