Jennifer Michelle Mcgrory

Jennifer Michelle McGrory departed from this life surrounded by the love of her family on November 13, 2018, at her home in Pocatello, Idaho.

She was born to James and Joan McGrory on September 24, 1970 in Ft. Belvoir, Virginia. She joined her older sister, Mary Anne, and two years later, became the middle child with the birth of Katie. Their early years were spent as a military family living and traveling throughout the United States and Europe.

In Savannah, Jennifer attended St. James Catholic School and St. Vincent's Academy (c/o 88), where she consistently gave the nuns a run for their money. She was employed by St. Joseph's Hospital, Shoney's restaurant, and our personal favorite, Cracker Barrel.

In 1990, Jennifer gave birth to her first son William Ray Elders, III. A year later, Andrew Ryan McGrory was born, and one year and one minute to the date, Abbigaile Brittany McGrory made her appearance and joined her family.

In the late 1990's Jennifer and her kids joined her Mother and sister, Mary Anne, in Pocatello, Idaho. There she made many friends through her jobs at School District #25 cafeteria service at Pocatello High and Alameda Junior High, Wal-Mart, the Red Lion Hotel, the Clarion Inn, and finally, the Holiday Inn Express.

On January 21, 2014, Jennifer's pride and joy was born. Her granddaughter Liliana Michelle McGrory has brought joy and laughter to all of our lives. From day one, Lili was Nana's girl and that continues. Jennifer was the epitome of "If mom says no, ask grandma." Lili has definitely inherited her Nana's attitude and personality. They went everywhere together and had begun to attend Mass at Holy Spirit Church.

Jennifer loved and supported the Highland High School football team and Band and continued to attend Band competitions even after Andrew graduated. She was an ardent Clemson University football fan and, while in the hospital, the nurses learned to time all medications and vital checks around Clemson's schedule. She enjoyed Saturday college football games and Sunday NFL games, especially eating nachos and chicken wings at the bar at the Clarion Inn.

She was a genius at word games, beating all of us, and even contestants, at Wheel of Fortune and Scrabble. She often beat Mary Anne at Words with Friends even though Mary Anne cheated and looked up words to use. She loved to watch HG TV and the Food Network and was the family's unofficial cook. Her beef vegetable soup and meatloaf were loved but her cranberry raisin bread was her real claim to fame.

Jennifer is survived by her mother, Joan McGrory, her father, James McGrory (Terry), her sons William and Andrew, daughter Abbigaile (Nemo), and her granddaughter Lili. She also leaves behind her sisters Mary Anne McGrory and Katie Brown (Sharla), half-sister Shawna Nevins, and step-siblings Lisa Graves and Patrick Lavernez (Tracy); her nieces Lizzie (Mike) and Breanna Hansen, Jessica Fagon, and Sierra Nevins; and, her nephews Logan Quigley, Zachary Hansen, Dillan Fagon, and Scott Taylor Graves. Additionally, her absence will be felt by all of her friends and her "Hubby" Harvey. You always knew where you stood with Jennifer and, if she was your friend, she would walk through fire for you.

The family would like to express thanks to all of the care givers that tended both Jennifer and her family; especially Dr. Richard (Ricardo) Curtis, the entire staff at Portneuf Cancer Center, Nurse Andrew from the 4th floor of Portneuf Medical Center, John, RN, from Healthy Living at Home, and Heather, RN, and Lindsay, LSW, from Encompass Hospice and Wilks Funeral Home. We have a special thanks to those who treated Jennifer in spite of her not having insurance, especially Healthy Living at Home. Our final hope is that Idaho will finally expand Medicaid so that no one else suffers for lack of insurance.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that donations be made to Planned Parenthood (www.weareplannedparenthood.org, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc. Attn: Online Services P.O. Box 97166 Washington, DC 20090-7166, or 1-800-430-4907) so that women who do not have insurance may obtain lifesaving exams. Or, you may choose to donate to the American Cancer Society www.cancer.org in hopes that a cure will be found in her children's lifetime.

A Memorial Mass will be held on November 30, 2018, at 1:00 at Holy Spirit/St. Anthony's Catholic Church. There will be a luncheon afterwards around 2:00 in the Church Social Hall with a slideshow and celebration of Jennifer's life. The family invites all who knew and loved Jennifer to attend and share their own memories.

Memories and condolences may be shared with her family in the "Share a Memory" tab above