Jennifer Nielsen, beloved daughter, sister, aunt, and friend, passed away peacefully from natural causes on August 20, 2023. She was 44 years old at the time of her passing and, though Jenny left us far too soon, she lived and loved fiercely in a way that most only dare to dream.

A firecracker from the start, Jenny was born on July 3, 1979 in Fortuna. She grew up in Loleta and attended Loleta Elementary, where she made lifelong friends and developed a passion for participating in team sports. Her love for sports continued to grow at St. Bernard’s High School, where she played soccer, basketball and softball. Loyal to her core, Jenny made close friends in high school who will forever remember her generous heart, unflinching integrity, and larger-than-life laugh. As someone who always had a knack for connecting people and bringing them together, Jenny allegedly threw a party or two in her teen years and her brothers fondly remember her holding the title for being grounded the longest in the family.

Through any adversity that came her way, Jenny persevered. Ever the hard worker, she juggled three jobs while attending Chico State University. She originally planned to become a teacher, but, as someone who always took great inspiration from music, she changed her mind at an Eric Clapton concert and adjusted her major to Communications.

After earning two degrees at Chico State, Jenny entered the tech world in San Francisco and made a name for herself. One of Jenny’s greatest joys was helping others realize their potential, so it was fitting that she chose a career in marketing and public relations, consistently working behind the scenes while pushing others forward. Always leading with her heart, she epitomized inclusivity and regularly sought out opportunities to highlight and connect people of various backgrounds, interests and abilities.

Any success Jenny experienced in life, she shared with others. She came from a large extended family and also became family, almost immediately, with everyone she met. As a 4th generation Humboldt County native, Jenny never forgot where she came from and took great pride in her Humboldt roots. In addition to her roots, Jenny also had wings, traveling the world with friends, which further exposed her to some of the things she loved most in life: art, music, writing, food and people.

In more recent years, Jenny returned home to her beloved Humboldt County. She held a few different jobs, her last being at Poletski’s Appliance Center, which she often said made her happier than any other place she had ever worked.

In addition to her love for people, she also had a special bond with animals, particularly cats, dogs and frogs. Jenny was also very in tune with her spirituality. A deep believer in justice and humanity, Jenny was a unique and wise spirit. Her light ignited everyone who was lucky enough to know her and, even in death, her spark will never be extinguished.

Jenny is survived by her mother, Robin Burns, her father, Dale Nielsen, her brothers Steve and Dylan (Brooke) Nielsen, two nieces, Rowan and Saylor, and close friend, Josh. She was preceded in death by her stepfather, Kenny Burns, and her grandparents, Rich and Bev Haman and Robert and Beryl Nielsen. Jenny was also blessed with lifelong friends, Nathan, Amber, Tracy, Abbey and Molly, as well as the Miller, Wilson and Pucillo families, who were all very dear to her.

Jenny’s family invites you to a Celebration of Life on Sunday, September 17, 2023 at 1 p.m. at the Wharfinger Building, 1 Marina Way, in Eureka. As Jenny lived, so let us celebrate her - with love, light and laughter. Please bring stories and memories to share to honor Jenny’s eternal spirit.

Throughout her life, Jenny was committed to helping others and, as an active blood donor herself, Jenny’s family encourages you to donate blood in her name at the Northern California Blood Bank (http://nccbb.org). For those who are unable to give blood or who live out of the area, please consider making a monetary donation to the Northern California Blood Bank in Jenny’s name or giving blood at your local blood bank.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Jenny Nielsen’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.