It is with profound sadness that the family of Jennifer “Jenny” Botelho announces her passing on May 10, 2025, at the age of 43. A lifelong resident of Milton, Ontario, Jennifer battled the ravages of systemic sclerosis (scleroderma) with extraordinary courage and grace, earning her the affectionate title among family and friends as “a true Scleroderma warrior.”
Early Life and Education
Born on June 14, 1982, in Milton, Jennifer was the beloved daughter of Elaine and Manuel Botelho. Growing up in a tight‑knit Portuguese‑Canadian household, Jennifer displayed an early passion for community service, helping to organize charity bake sales with her mother and participating in church youth groups. She excelled academically at Milton District High School, where she captained the debate team, wrote for the school newspaper, and graduated with honors in 2000.
Jennifer went on to pursue a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature at the University of Guelph. There, she honed her gift for storytelling and her compassion for others, volunteering at the campus literacy center and mentoring first‑year students. She graduated in 2004 and returned to Milton with a desire to give back to her hometown.
Personal Life and Career
In 2006, Jennifer married her high‑school sweetheart, Michael Hayes, in a sun‑drenched ceremony beneath the Douglas firs of Rattlesnake Point. Together, they built a loving home, blessed with two daughters, Clara (12) and Sofia (9), and one son, Lucas (6). Jennifer balanced motherhood with her career as a communications coordinator for Halton Region’s public health department, where her warmth and clear‑voiced presentations made health education accessible to countless families.
Colleagues remember Jennifer as a consummate professional: detail‑oriented, empathetic, and always ready with a cup of tea for a worried new parent or an encouraging word for a fellow staff member. Outside the office, she was the heart of a spirited book club, a keen hiker on the Bruce Trail, and an aspiring watercolorist whose gentle landscapes captured the quiet beauty of Georgetown and Kelso Conservation Area.
Battling Scleroderma
In 2015, Jennifer was diagnosed with systemic sclerosis, a rare autoimmune disease that causes hardening of the skin and internal organs. True to her nature, she faced the diagnosis head‑on. She educated herself on the latest research, advocated for clinical trials, and became a peer counselor for newly diagnosed patients. Though treatments were grueling—frequent IV infusions, physical therapy to preserve hand mobility, and countless specialists’ visits—Jennifer’s spirit never dimmed.
Her living room became a gathering place for “Scleroderma Saturdays,” where patients and caregivers met to share experiences, recipes for nourishing soups, and strategies for coping with fatigue and pain. Jennifer’s gift was her ability to infuse hope into every story she told, reminding everyone that they were never alone in this fight.
Community Involvement and Legacy
Jennifer’s impact extended far beyond her immediate circle. She spearheaded Milton’s annual Scleroderma Awareness Walk, doubling participation in just two years and raising tens of thousands of dollars for research and patient support programs. Local media featured her story as part of a campaign to spotlight unsung heroes in healthcare advocacy.
Her friends in the Milton Hiking Club remember how, even on difficult days, Jennifer laced up her supportive walking boots and led gentle nature treks, offering encouragement to complete strangers daunted by the trail. To honor her memory, the Club has pledged to establish the “Jennifer Botelho Memorial Walk,” a yearly event to raise funds for scleroderma research and celebrate the healing power of community.
Family Tributes
- Michael Hayes, devoted husband of 19 years, recalls Jennifer as “the soul of our family—brave, radiant, and fiercely loving. She taught our children to find joy in simple moments: a late-night story, a picnic at Crawford Lake, or baking ‘squishy’ blueberry muffins when the world felt heavy.”
- Clara, Sofia, and Lucas, her adoring children, remember their mother’s bedtime tales, her gentle encouragement at dance recitals and soccer games, and the way she made every birthday magical with homemade cakes and hand‑drawn cards.
- Elaine and Manuel Botelho, her parents, reflect on Jennifer’s early years, marveling at her innate kindness: “From bandaging our scraped knees to organizing food drives, Jenny was born to care for others.”
- Siblings and extended family recall her laughter echoing through Portuguese holiday gatherings, her signature pastel-colored shawls, and her unwavering pride in her heritage.
Funeral and Memorial Details
A Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, May 18, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, 89 Kilbride St., Milton. Family and friends are invited to gather afterward in the church hall for a time of remembrance, music, and sharing of Jennifer’s favorite treats—lemon tarts and shortbread cookies.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Scleroderma Society of Canada or to the Jennifer Botelho Memorial Fund at Milton Community Foundation, which will support local patient‑peer programs and research grants.
Final Thoughts
Jennifer Botelho lived a life defined not by the challenges she faced, but by the strength, compassion, and hope with which she met them. She believed that even in the darkest chapters, the human spirit could forge light—through a comforting word, an outstretched hand, or a steadfast smile. As family, friends, and community members mourn her loss, they also celebrate a legacy that will continue to inspire courage against adversity and remind us all of the power of unwavering love.
Rest in peace, Jennifer—our true Scleroderma warrior. You will be dearly missed and forever remembered.
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