Jen Angyal

1974 - 2022

“I’d climb the stairs too heaven

and carry her back again in my arms

if I could, But she is soaring,

those wings belong to someone fit

for MOM, our angel”. Anonymous

Jennifer Rae Angyal (née Smith), loving mother of Jayden and Chase Angyal and daughter of Terry-Ann and Willie Hannah, left her bodily form to be with the Lord Jesus on Friday, December 16, 2022 at the age of 48 years. Now rejoicing are all the family and CF friends that have gone before her.

The Funeral Service was held at Knox United Church, 4929 - 50 Avenue, Taber on Thursday, January 12, 2023 at 2:00 P.M. A private committal service followed at the Taber Memorial Garden. 

Jen was predeceased by her father Vaughn Smith; grandparents John and Irene Gregus, Hugh Smith as well as numerous relatives and CF friends.

Jen was born on a cold morning at 6:30 A.M. on November 16, 1974 in Lethbridge at the St. Michael’s Hospital. She attended school at L.T. Westlake, D.A. Ferguson and W.R. Myers High School. Following graduation, she took a year off to work at Taco Time in Taber. Jen attended college where she received a Child and Youth Care certificate, then on to University where she received a B.A. degree.

Jen decided to spread her wings and moved to the big city of Calgary where she worked at Hull Child and Youth Services as a family liaison worker. She loved her job there, it was challenging. This is where she met David Kirby, her co-worker, he showed Jen the ropes and they became lifelong friends. Jen remained there until she left the work force.

Many years before all this, she met a young man named Jeff Wernikowski. Jeff also had cystic fibrosis and they met at the Greyhound bus on first day to camp at the age of seven. Lo and behold some twenty five or so years later, they were married in Vegas in 1999. They were so good together, they were soulmates. Jen and Jeff were very content living in their home with their dog Fella. They enjoyed visiting Jeff’s parents on Sundays for dinner or meeting at the corner bar with Jeff’s boundless friends, who soon became Jen’s too. Life was good. They would come down to Taber when they could. Jeff’s parents, Ruth and Mike Wernikowski, will forever be in our hearts. But as the years went on, Jeff got sicker and sicker. He was signed up for a lung transplant, but was too ill to have one. Needless to say he succumbed to this terrible disease. When Jen was with Jeff, they always handed out money too the homeless or if someone looked like they needed a meal.

Following Jeff’s passing, Jen decided to move back to Taber, where she met Clayton. They went on a date and the rest is history. Jen and Clayton were married in September 2007. That same year Jen and Clayton’s twins, Jayden and Chase were born. This in itself was a miracle. Thank you is not enough for Clayton’s mother Lori, who was the surrogate for the babies. Her twins Chase and Jayden, were her pride and joy. She taught those children right from the beginning to be strong, never give up and be kind to one another and to others, ‘cause you never know what they are dealing with. After her divorce from Clayton, she became the primary care-giver for the kids, this is a job she relished. There is nothing she would not do for her children. Jayden and Chase have grown into tough, perseverant, strong-willed people who made her smile everyday. Jay is our chirping bird and Chase is our chaser. To her children, make her proud as she watches you from above.

Jen was a warrior and had strength like no other. If she wanted to try something new, she did. She was born with cystic fibrosis, a deadly lung disease. We were told she would not live past one and half years, but she was a fighter. In 2007 Jen received the gift of life, a double lung transplant.

Jen volunteered at the Chinook Regional Hospital, showing young children how a needle was given by giving it to a very large stuffed bear. She met Celine Dione in Calgary (Celine was an ambassador for cystic fibrosis). After watching her perform, a picture was taken and they spoke about Jen’s life, a proud moment for Jen’s mom. She spoke at many cystic fibrosis conferences about her life, inspiring others with her story. Jen also volunteered for the Taber Lost Paws Society, they will be planting a tree in her honour.

Jen enjoyed her trips to Disneyland, Vegas and Penticton for summer holiday’s with Will’s family. Many great memories were made. Jen kept in touch with her cousins, you know who you are, too many to mention. She was a lover of pets. Jen was the best friend everyone wanted to have. Live, love, laugh.

Jen’s family would like to thank each and everyone of you who were part of Jen’s journey here on earth. She crossed many pathways and byways. Everyone was always waiting to see what new adventure she was going to come up with. As well, thank you to all her caregivers, be it doctors, nurses, relatives or friends, for being there for her when she needed you.

“Just breathe”