Remembering Jennifer Allen
What is a legacy? A legacy is a lasting impact on the world. It's a gift that is passed down through generations. Leaving a legacy means giving something that will be valued and treasured by those who survive after your death.
Jennifer has left a legacy that will be talked about for generations by friends, family, and strangers across the world.
We have witnessed Jen help so many people build their families and build a company that is renowned worldwide for its compassion, integrity, and caring. She built a team to help her achieve her mission and she created a village that is connected across the world.
Jennifer Allen is the thread that started it all.
There will always be a story about how Jen filled a gap in someone’s life, helped them in their time of need, provided guidance and encouragement or was simply a cheerleader to give them the motivation to keep going. There will always be a story about how she dropped everything at a moment's notice to be somewhere, to help someone. She was so well known for filling the cups of others, no matter what level hers was at. She always reminded us that we were never alone in our struggles.
Every one of us is a better person, to have known Jenn.
She had a way of making a shining entrance whether she was dressed for a gala or stopping at Tim’s in pajamas and fuzzy slippers.
As we know, Jennifer did not live life quietly. She did not live life filtered. She lived out loud, unapologetically and took the opportunity to create so many memories with her family.
Jennifer Allen was a force to be reckoned with and met every challenge with passion, every human with compassion, and never failed to show you how much she loved you.
I’m sure wherever she may be now, everyone knows she is there with her beautiful, beaming smile.
Our friendship started about 9 years ago and over the last half of those years we developed a bond that made us more like sisters. We understood each other on another level. A level of friendship that I have never had before. She became an amazing ‘auntie’ to my children, showing so much love for them at every opportunity. She was always there for my family and impacted their lives so positively, their memories of Auntie Jenn will live with them forever.
It’s said that friends are the family you choose, and I will be forever blessed to consider her my family.
To Phil, Abby, Daniel,
Hold your memories close, grieve your loss. Feel her warmth and see her smile while you remember all the time that you had with her. We grieve for your loss and send you all of the love and strength we have. Jennifer’s village is your village.
Michelle Avery, Friend and colleague
Starlit’s little heart is aching, as is mine.
What started out as me becoming your childcare provider 10 years ago, to navigating a traditional surrogacy journey blindly and uneducated (it was messy, I know...huge learning opportunity), to growing such a powerful connection and becoming family. Not a day goes by that I take for granted the opportunity you gave me of being a mom to my sweet little girl. From knowing nothing about surrogacy, to our messy journey, to growing a beautiful agency with such purpose and helping hundreds of other people grow their own families, giving and helping was your calling. You were a badass in life. You loved with all your heart and never held back. You always called things like they were and never apologized for who you are.
Without you (and Phil), I would never get to wake up every day with my beautiful Starlit. She is as unique, loving, and caring as you, her Auntie Jen. Starlit will always know who you are and how incredibly important and significant you are to our lives. She will know how she came into this world and know you are family. She will continue to grow up with your children and celebrate each milestone of their lives together. The relationship our children have will never change. I will never forget the impact you have made in my life. I hope every day I make you proud while raising this sweet little girl we created. I love you Jennifer, and your passing will be felt forever.
Every day I will be reminded of you when I look at my beautiful daughter. Every day I will be reminded of your love, your compassion, your beauty, and your strength. Every day I wake up, I get to have a piece of you with me, through her. Starlit has the most beautiful guardian angel to watch over her now. Thank you for loving us and thank you for loving me.
Rest now beautiful lady we love you.
Sending all my love and strength to Phil. Abby, and Daniel.
Krystal, Jennifer’s Intended Mother
Heartbroken doesn’t describe it. Jenn saved me. We met shortly after Doctors told me I’d never be able to carry another child and after a traumatic experience with another surrogate. She told me she wanted to set the universe right again for us.
We spent the next 9 months together as she carried Arrow for me but she also healed my heart. We laughed, cried, and bonded for a lifetime.
She not only carried Arrow, but she was my egg donor since I wasn’t stable enough for surgery. She gave her everything for us to have another baby.
She always said she was proud of her journey with Arrow because of the type of parents we are. I hope to always make you proud.
Jenn would give anything to help someone and I can see her stubbornness and determination in Arrow every day. I am devastated Arrow won’t grow up knowing the woman who carried him and is a part of him. I will honor her memory and find comfort in knowing he has the loudest, feistiest guardian angel watching over him.
I pray for her sweet husband and kids that they have strength to get through this horrific time.
I love you Jenn and will always have a part of you with me.
Chelsea L., Jennifer’s Intended Mother
We wanted to express our deepest sympathy in the wake of this tragedy. We are deeply touched by Jennifer's unjust death. We loved her very much, not only for what she did to help us start a family, but also for the woman she was, with all her strengths and weaknesses.
As you probably know, we were her first clients, and she was always there when we needed her, every step of the way to have our children. We helped her as best we could to grow JA Surrogacy in its early days, then this team came together to support her and help this beautiful village shine in the surrogacy world.
We wish you much courage for the days ahead and send you all our warmest thoughts.
Delphine, Ella, Lou and Alexandre L., Jennifer’s First Clients
There are no words at the loss of you. You were a woman who was fiercely independent and strong. You loved every animal, and especially loved your family. You were a bright light to so many people and impacted families around the world. It was amazing to watch you grow into the woman, daughter, sister, wife, mother, and successful businesswoman you became. I have so many of our memories running through my mind. Even though there were times we fought or didn't talk for a while, we both knew we loved each other. Jens are stubborn and fiercely independent. My heart goes out to Phil and the children, along with the huge community you built around you. I am so sad and heartbroken, but you left a major legacy behind. The world was a better place because you were in it. I love you, and one day I hope to see you again.
Jennifer Scheible, Friend
Searching through my pictures to find my favourite memory with you, but there are too many. Instead I found hundreds of moments I got to have because of you, and hundred of families that were impacted by your love and passion for building families. You challenged me to be more, love deeper and fight for what I believe. You are the reason this picture was possible.
You made the world a better place, and we will miss you deeply.
Jessica Jamieson, Friend
I wish Jennifer’s family, and the entire JA team strength as you navigate this challenging and dark time together. Over the past few days, all of the things I know to be true about Jennifer have been said by others in many different circles.
There’s no question that we have lost a talented, dedicated, smart, and bright person in Jennifer. But, in terms of “leaving a void”… I would say that Jennifer “filled” the “void” in the personal and professional lives of so many. She personally, and through her work, completed families and fulfilled dreams. She filled the space in the surrogacy field that needed all her skills and attributes – wisdom beyond her years, expertise, energy, sincerity, entrepreneurship, and commitment. She left a personal and professional legacy that will extend far beyond a life that was too short.
I will miss many things about Jennifer from professional to personal, from her thoughtful approach to clients, to her good sense of humor. The one thing I will miss most... I will miss the way Jennifer referred to me as “a good doctor”. She made me feel very special about my work, about my team’s work and the outcomes that we achieved together. I can hear her saying it right now... “at JA we only work with good people...that’s why we work with you.” I am sure she said that to a few others, as she was careful to select team members and collaborators that she had confidence in and that would provide her clients with the best care. It always felt sincere and truthful.
Dr. Ari Baratz, Create Fertility
Jen was a client, an industry partner, a cheerleader for our team, and a friend. We loved every conversation, every surrogacy project (even the hard ones), every laughing-till-it-hurt moment, every baby we met together. Jen was a force, a whirlwind of love, and a ball of boundless energy. The world is a smaller place without her in it. Sending so much love to Phil, their kiddos, and the community she created. We are heartbroken.
Rachel and Ellen, Embury and West LLP
Our Hearts Are Heavy with Grief and Loss...
The Babies Come True team is deeply saddened by the passing of our dear colleague and friend, Jennifer Allen of JA Surrogacy. She was not only a remarkable advocate for surrogacy but also a light for countless grateful families whose lives she touched and transformed.
Jennifer's passion, dedication, and unwavering support have left a mark on our hearts and the entire surrogacy community.
Jennifer's kindness, strength, and spirit will forever be remembered and cherished.
As we mourn this profound loss, we send our deepest sympathies and love to Jennifer's family, friends, and everyone whose lives she graced. She will be missed, and her legacy will continue to inspire all of us to make dreams come true for others, just as she did.
Your memory will forever live on in our hearts.
Nir KEREN, Babies Come True
We will never say a final goodbye to Jennifer ~ her heart’s work is her legacy, and we as a Team, as a Family, as a Village…we will honour her always.
To be part of Jen’s circle was to be loved, plain and simple. It’s a very special privilege to carry on supporting and guiding Intended Parents and Surrogates in the spirit of Jen’s vision ~ that Surrogacy is all about mutual trust and partnership, open communication, support, and compassion. What we bring to this journey, we receive in kind.
Thank you, Jen, for all you have done, and for the renewal of hope that your memory continues to inspire.
Love you my friend.
Jennifer Kelly, Friend and colleague
I’ve never stopped being in awe of Jennifer Allen.
There are so many things to admire, but one of her best traits was her ability to see what a person could be rather than what they were. She saw the height of everyone’s potential, and treated them as such. It’s been 4.5 years since she appointed me the Administration Manager for her rapidly growing company, which now has hundreds of clients on six continents, and I still wonder what prompted her to take what was either a gamble or an act of faith in me. I only hope I’ve lived up to whatever she saw in me, and made her proud. It’s rare to have someone walk into your life and change its trajectory forever, but I know she’s been that person for countless others. She built a company out of sheer determination and wanting better for people. She not only raised the bar, she’d help you reach it.
But there was a person behind all of this, with flaws and layers and everything that makes a human a human. She was perfectly imperfect, and imperfectly perfect. I will never meet anyone else like her. I will miss her for the rest of my life.
The best way I can think to honour Jennifer, besides continuing her legacy at JA, is to do something nice for someone. Give of yourself to someone. Choose kindness. Choose understanding. Choose to refrain from judgment. Choose to forgive. Choose to love with all you have. Choose to leave the world better than you found it. Then buy a sweet car and an enormous dog and travel the world over with 20 suitcases because you only live once and because you can.
To Jennifer, who lived with purpose and packed a full life into 36 years. I love you. Save a spot for me on that beach you always said we’d retire to after a life of building families.
Linsay Ambeault, Friend and colleague
WWJD- What would Jen do?
Jen was self-made. She overcame challenges that would crumple most. She built her life from the ground up. She worked her ass off to prove that she can, and she did.
Jen lived her life unapologetically. She spoke her unfiltered thoughts, executed every action without hesitation and loved everyone to the depths of her being.
In time of doubt, I encourage you to think, what would Jen do?
Children’s schools on lockdown. WWJD? Drive her vehicle past police barriers to show up for her child.
Best friends’ dog being held at the vet? WWJD? Walk right past the front desk to collect the dog so her best friend could have the end of life moment in peace, at home
Someone treating your friend unfairly? WWJD? Send an email, supporting your friend and making the other parties recognize where they went wrong.
Jen not only leaves a beautiful legacy in her world-renowned surrogacy agency, she leaves behind a beautiful life lesson.
Love hard, live fiercely, and never give up.
Danica Todd, Friend and colleague
Back in March I received a message from Jennifer Allen, the owner of the surrogacy agency I am with. I felt so honoured that she wanted me to be part of the JA Surrogacy Canada team! She passed away and my heart breaks for her husband, kids, and fur babies. As well as for everyone who was close to her.
From what I knew about Jen, she was a strong, beautiful, and outspoken person. She stood up for what she believed in.
Please keep her family and friends in your prayers for the days, weeks and months to come.
Larissa S., SurrogatE
To everyone impacted by Jennifer's passing, I commend and have love and grace for the weight you, and our village, is carrying. Grief and mourning serve a purpose and I love the community that Jennifer built, as we all know how caring and patient she would have been with us.
Joining the JA team this Spring was exciting for me, and I loved the opportunity to learn from Jennifer and help spread the joy and beauty of surrogacy. I grieve the little I knew of her and what could have been, with our growing relationship. I will be there with you all and we will grieve together.
Rachel W., Surrogate
I worked with Jen at AARC when she was first starting JA Surrogacy. I switched career paths and was invited back for a Christmas dinner at AARC where her, Phil, and Andy asked me about becoming a surrogate.
That little bean was JA’s third birth and FIRST girl. Now at 4.5 years old, she creates her own path, asks for forgiveness rather than permission, loves her family fiercely, and demands the room when she walks in (just like Jennifer).
Thank you for the love you showed and taught me over the years, the endless support you have given to me and everyone you cross paths with, and the difference you have made. I will forever cherish our friendship. I love you.
Briana D., Surrogate
This morning, I attended my surro-baby's 1st birthday party. There was so much love and joy and happiness. Grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, all celebrating the birth of a very special little girl and I couldn't help but think, none of this would be possible without JA surrogacy. More specifically, none of it would be possible without Jennifer Allen.
I hope her husband and children will find solace in the fact that she is directly responsible for hundreds of loving families.
Julie-Anne W., Surrogate
I have never been more proud to be part of JA Surrogacy, and this part of Jennifer’s legacy, than I am after attending her service. We have never physically met, but I will forever be grateful that she was my point of contact when deciding on an agency. Sending love and comfort to all who were lucky enough to know her.
Angie G., Surrogate
Jennifer was the most kind and loving person!
She changed my life in the best way possible.
She was so understanding and supportive my entire surrogacy journey. If it wasn't for her I wouldn't have been able to help such a deserving family. You will be truly missed by all of us. My deepest condolences to everyone.
Jayden M., Surrogate
After so many let downs along my journey to become a father, Jennifer was the first to treat me with dignity and respect. To help me become a father. I will always have her in my heart.
The loss of her is sad because of the personal impact Jennifer made in my life, but I am extremely sad for Jennifer's family. I met Jennifer in October 2018 when I joined JA. I watched her family grow and know how important her family was to her. Hope, love, and healing for her family.
George R., Intended Parent
Jaecie, Paolo and I were saddened to hear about the passing of Jennifer Allen. While we had not met her personally, we know she was a foundational part of our journey. Without her, Paolo and I would have never met Jaecie or welcomed our beautiful Milena into the world. Surrogacy is full of challenges and setbacks, but so too does it gift us with incomparable joy. We will always be grateful for what Jennifer started and for the welcoming community she built for women across Canada. Our thoughts are with her family and the entire JA team following this immense loss.
Take care of yourselves and each other.
Jaecie, Richard, and Paolo, Surrogate and Intended Parents
There are no words - we are so shocked about this terrible news.
We are first thinking of Jennifer's kids and husband. Please give them all our love and support. Also thinking about her family and how they must be so proud of what Jennifer did - the love she shared - we got the chance to meet her in Paris and she was like a rainbow, giving us hope and consideration.
Feel so sad…
Feel so sad for those from the JA team. This woman knew what she was doing and she did it so well. It must be terrible to lose her. We send you all our support to go through this.
Feel sad for all the families she helped create - I believe she was a member of those families.
We wiIl light candles during the next coming days for you all.
Sébastien and Arnaud, Intended Parents
All our thoughts go to Phil, Abby, Daniel, her family and to JA.
It’s like a nightmare that we hope to wake up from. We had a special link with Jen, since she was our surrogate for 6 months. She wanted so much to help us and was always so optimistic and full of joy and energy.
We are shocked and devastated. It is unimaginable.
Jen had this special talent to create families, and create happiness, and be there for us every time we needed her. She used all her attention finding us a new surrogate as quickly as possible. We can not imagine a world without her…
She was also very much involved in our journey with our new surrogate Ray. She meant a lot to Ray.
Our thoughts and condolences go to Phil and the kids and to all the JA family.
We send you love from Paris.
Stephane and Barouyr, intended parents
Jennifer will rest knowing that she made the world a kinder and more compassionate place. She took something beautiful and left it better than she found it. Many lives were touched by her courage and competence. We pass on our respects to her family and the JA team.
Thank you for your continued support and care.
Geoff and Andrew, Intended Parents
We can’t even begin to imagine what each one of the close team, Jennifer’s young family, and husband are going through at this time of immense loss. Words fail us! There’s just no one like her. Such an impact on the world of surrogacy in Canada and what a generous soul. May she rest in peace.
Our deepest condolences to all of you. Thinking about the team and all the family, at this sorrowful time.
Joe and Ric, Intended Parents
We are so sorry to hear about Jennifer. She was such an amazing advocate for the surrogacy industry and always so kind and compassionate in all our encounters.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the JA team, as well as with Jennifer’s family.
Geoff and Joe, Intended Parents
I am so saddened to hear of the news of Jennifer. While I never had the chance to meet her, it was always so clear the deep and profound impact she had on so many lives in the surrogacy community and beyond, including our own.
I imagine this has been a very difficult time for her family, friends and the entire JA team. We are thinking of you and hope you have a chance to get the space and time you need to grieve her loss, share memories, and be together with all those who loved her.
Sharing with you this letter that resonated with me during my own grief in hopes it offers you some solace too …
It seems to me, that if we love, we grieve
That's the deal
That's the pact
Grief and love are forever intertwined
Grief is the terrible reminder of the depths of our love
And, like love, grief is non-negotiable
Jordan and Matthew, Intended Parents
Jennifer has made such an enormous difference to our lives. She gave us hope during a pandemic, and allowed us to meet Jena, and start an amazing family. We knew we wanted to work with JA the moment we first spoke to someone. Jennifer has started something special, a company where surrogates were in control of their own destiny and all supporting one another. We instantly knew this was different from the agencies we’d spoken to and knew that we wanted our surrogate to be someone empowered and inspired by someone like Jennifer.
We’re deeply saddened to hear that someone who has had such a widespread impact and touched so many lives is no longer with us.
Our thoughts are with everyone who worked with her, her family and those for whom she was surrogate. We hope they can all find peace and solace knowing Jennifer was an incredible woman who lived an extraordinary life.
Thoughts and prayers.
Ben and Vijay, Intended Parents
We feel intense sadness, and our thoughts go out to the team at JA, and all of her family and friends, in this time of enormous loss.
We are simply grateful for Jennifer’s commitment to helping build families, something we felt when deciding to sign up as intended parents with this agency. Without compassionate people like her, we would simply have no chance at all of achieving our dreams… we are completely humbled by the enormously positive impact she has had on so many people. Without a doubt, it will continue to be felt for a very long time yet.
Please accept our sincere sympathy.
Jen R., Intended Parent
It is with great sadness that we read that JA Surrogacy founder Jennifer Allen has left us very young. We want to send our condolences to her family and all the professionals of the agency, and a message of deep gratitude. Although her life was cut short at a very young age, Jennifer has left an extraordinary legacy for all couples who, like us, have wanted to realize the dream of starting a family.
The proposal and organization of JA Surrogacy turned out to be a door to hope when we still didn't have our embryos. Our clinic recommended your organization to us, a place that thought much more about couples hoping to meet a woman who would help them. JA Surrogacy worked its magic and within a few weeks of the creation of the embryos we met Lisa, our guardian angel.
This has been the work of Jennifer Allen, the creation of a more ethical and more humane agency to bring boys and girls to life through surrogacy. We, and many like us, will be grateful to her for the rest of our lives along with our children.
Cristina and Juanma, Intended Parents
Jennifer restored our faith in the surrogacy journey. Melissa and I were both about to give up in our respective journeys, myself as an intended parent, and her as a surrogate.
Both of us were wounded deeply having been mistreated by our previous matches and Jen had the compassion, kindness, and foresight to help us heal, restore our faith in the process, and match us with each other.
Melissa and I remain very close friends and Olivia, our miracle bundle of joy, is here in a large part because of Jen. It didn’t matter if it was 9:30 at night and one of us was crying and sad and needed someone to cheer us up, she kept no hours and always answered her phone. She was always there for us. She cared with a full heart for anyone and everyone that crossed her path and that was what fascinated us the most. She was so giving, and she gave with wanting nothing in return. She was a completely selfless person. We don’t even know how she had the time to juggle all the people she helped but she clearly devoted her life in the service of others. She has completely transformed the surrogacy industry in Canada by bringing humanity to this process which is so often transactional. Anyone who had the good fortune to come in contact with her could not help but love her. When we heard that she was no longer with us, it felt like a bad dream. It was a shock and remains a total shock. She accomplished so much in her 36 years and she could have accomplished so much more. We miss her, we honour her, we love her, we thank her for everything she has done for us and so many others.
She will never ever be forgotten. Never.
Our profound condolences to her husband Phil, her beautiful children, her friends, the entire JA team, and everyone affected by this awful loss.
Elizabeth L., Intended Parent
We were deeply saddened to hear the news of Jennifer Allen's passing. It is an immense loss for all who had the privilege of knowing and working with her.
Jennifer played an incredibly important role in our lives, and we are genuinely grateful for everything she brought to our family. Thanks to her, and her agency, we had the wonderful opportunity to meet our surrogate mother in 2018, which led to the birth of our beloved daughter. This extraordinary little girl is a true treasure in our lives, and we owe it to Jennifer and her unwavering commitment to surrogacy.
Her passionate dedication to this cause has inspired many and allowed numerous families to realize their dreams of having a child. Her unwavering compassion and unconditional support touched the hearts of everyone she encountered, both within her agency and beyond.
Today, we join you and the entire team in honoring Jennifer's memory, cherishing the precious moments we shared with her, and celebrating the positive impact she had on so many lives.
During this difficult time, please know that our thoughts are with you, and we offer our prayers for her to rest in peace and for you to find the strength to navigate through this ordeal.
With profound sadness and eternal gratitude,
Nicolas and Gregory, Intended Parents
We invite you to share your personal stories, tributes, and condolences in the comments below.