Jennifer Marie Horne (née Rehder)
February 28, 1956 - February 21, 2025
"If you would comfort me, sing me a lullaby. If you would win my heart, sing me a love song. If you would mourn me and bring me to God, sing me a requiem. Sing me to heaven."
From Sing Me to Heaven, by Daniel E. Gawthrop.
Our beautiful Jennifer passed peacefully and with dignity at Chartwell Edgewater Care in Nanaimo following a courageous struggle with Young-Onset Alzheimer’s Disease.
Born in Bowmanville, Ontario, Jennifer was the cherished wife and best friend of Fred Horne for 34 wonderful years. Their life together took them to Toronto, Cobourg, Edmonton, and eventually Nanoose Bay on Vancouver Island, always returning home to Ontario frequently to be with family and continue building memories to last forever. Jennifer especially treasured her nieces and nephews: Melanie, Robert, Mitchell, Jacqueline, and Natalie. In recent years, she and Fred enjoyed ocean boating aboard the *Jennifer R*, raising their Standard Poodle, Lacey, and many precious visits with family and close friends.
Jennifer was predeceased by her parents, Thomas Frederick Rehder and Catherine Mary Rehder (née Tarlington). Left to mourn her passing are her uncle and aunt, Bob and Margaret Rehder; much-loved cousins from the Tarlington and Rehder families; members of the Horne family; and a lifetime of dear friends and musical colleagues.
Jennifer had a distinguished career as a physiotherapist for over 35 years, working in Newfoundland, Ontario, and Alberta. She was extremely dedicated to her patients, especially children and older adults. However, her greatest joy of all was singing, a gift she shared generously through participation in church and community choirs and musical theatre groups across Canada. Whether performing sacred music, opera arias, Broadway musicals, or Gilbert and Sullivan operettas, Jennifer's deep faith and love of music shone through. She was eternally grateful for those who mentored and supported her, especially Denice Bennett, her voice teacher and friend of many years. Members of the Riverbend United Church Choir and Te Deum Singers of Edmonton always held a special place in Jennifer’s heart.
Her life of caring, song, and devotion will live on through all of us. When you see a hummingbird, you can be sure that Jennifer is nearby.
A celebration of Jennifer’s life will be held at Northcutt Elliott Funeral Home, Bowmanville in the spring.
Special thanks to the staff of Chartwell Edgewater Care, Julie Stewart, Dr. P. Juralowicz, and Dr. M. Drake for their care and support.
Thank you, Jennifer, for singing all of us a little closer to Heaven.
