It is with great sadness that the family of Jersey Jackson Mitchell announces her sudden passing on Saturday, August 27, 2022, in Barrie, Ontario.
Jersey was born on November 3, 2001, in Barrie. She leaves behind her parents, Erin (Jackson) and Mark Mitchell, her brothers, Hunter and Benson, her grandmothers, Marlene Jackson and Darlene Mitchell, and many extended family members and friends. She was predeceased by her grandfathers, Barry Jackson and Robert Mitchell.
Jersey was a beautiful person, inside and out. She was full of life, and she made the most of her short time with us. She loved her family and was especially protective of her younger brothers. She loved her friends too and always wanted to cheer them up and make them feel better if they were down for whatever reason. Jersey was kind and thoughtful and, although she had not settled on a career path, she knew she wanted to do something that helped people.
The rare combination of princess and tomboy – that was Jersey. She loved the outdoors, but she always had to have her nails and makeup just right before going hunting or fishing. She was glamorous but completely unpretentious. And she was caring but feisty, and blunt when she needed to be. If she loved you, you knew it. But if you hurt her or someone she cared about, you knew about that too.
Jersey was a proud member of the Stingrays cheerleading organization for eight years. Her ability took her to many competitions in Canada and the United States, where her team always excelled and, more importantly, had fun and made lasting memories. She considered her teammates to be the sisters she never had.
We will all miss Jersey and the light she brought to our lives. Her mother will miss their late-night talks. Erin, Mark, and Hunter will miss the constant text messages they shared back and forth with Jersey.
As a family, we are heartbroken by Jersey’s passing, but we are eternally thankful to know that she loved us and that she would want to ease our pain somehow. We believe that is manifesting itself in the love and support we have received from our circles and from the community at large; please know that we are humbled and honoured by your words and gestures. We are also happy in our sadness to know that Jersey and her friends will not be forgotten in the wake of their shared tragedy.
We would like to offer special thanks to the Barrie Police Service, especially Debbie Howe, for their caring and sensitivity, to the organizers of the community candlelight vigil at the Spirit Catcher on the waterfront, and to the members of Ripple of Kindness Barrie. Thank you.
Last but certainly not least, we would like to express our condolences to the other families and friend groups who have also lost a loved one. We are deeply sorry for your loss, and we share your grief.
Visitation will take place at the Steckley-Gooderham Funeral Home, 30 Worsley St., Barrie on Saturday, September 10th, 2022 from 2-4 and 7-9 PM, with a celebration of Jersey’s life being held in the Chapel on Sunday, September 11th at 2 PM, followed by a reception gathering in the Lounge.
Online memories and condolences may be forwarded via www.steckleygooderham.com