Jennifer Elizabeth DeReamer was born on October 8, 1972 to Larry and Rosalind Lewis of Munster, Indiana. She is a 1990 graduate of Munster High School and a 1994 graduate of Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana with a degree in Civil Engineering. She most recently made her home in Oviedo, Florida.
Jennifer was born into a large and loving family that included her parents and grandparents; a sister, Gabrielle; many aunts and uncles and, of course, lots of cousins. Jennifer moved around as a child and as a young adult. She grew up in the Dawson Park neighborhood of Hammond, Indiana and made many friends who have remained close to her and her family for the past fifty years. She and her family moved to Butler, Pennsylvania for a few years in the early 80’s, but soon moved back to “The Region” where she attended Munster High School and graduated in 1990.
Jennifer’s life changed a few weeks before her senior prom. Her aunt knew a young man from Highland, Indiana and it was arranged for the two to spend a few hours together to get to know one another. On May 9, 1990, as fate would have it, Jennifer Lewis met the love of her life and her very best friend, Gui DeReamer. Her mother once stated that “it was a love for the ages.” Yes, that sounds cliché and over-the-top – but, there is really no other way to describe their relationship. A blind date turned into a prom date and after a year at Ball State, Jen transferred to Purdue to be closer to Gui. They married on January 7, 1995, almost 30 years ago. Gui, however, states that the two of them found more significance in the date that they first met - and that they had been together for almost 34 years.
After a few years of work in the field of engineering she and Gui welcomed their first son, Lucas and completed their family a few years later with the arrival of Zane. Being a mother was Jennifer’s dream come true. She adored her sons more than life itself and provided them with the most supportive and loving home a mother could give.
Jennifer’s other love was writing. A very talented writer, she wrote daily – sometimes for public consumption on her blog and, of course, for herself in journals that she did not post online. Though seemingly quiet and reserved, Jennifer was always observing the world and those around her and was able to write about those things in a way that made it look like anybody could do it. Her journals were often fun and lighthearted, but always insightful.
Jennifer also loved traveling. And while most people travel to get away and take it easy, there was no rest when traveling with Jen! She always researched and found the things to see in the area and could always find the best hole-in-the-wall restaurant for a snack or meal. On a trip to England, Gui remarked that the two of them had probably seen more than most people who live there have. Jen believed that if you travelled somewhere you should see it all, because you never know if you’ll be back.
She had so many other interests as well including crafting, a budding interest in pottery, and an untreated addiction to Pinterest. She once said that she wasn’t creative, that she was just copying what she saw; but, she always put her own unique spin on things and made it her own. And music – boy, did she love music. You didn’t need Shazam when Jen was around because she seemed to know every song title and artist when it came on the radio or played out in public. She shared her love of music with Gui, Lucas, and Zane and seemed to have a specific memory tied to most of those songs whenever they played.
About a year ago, Jennifer learned that she had a rare form of blood cancer called multiple myeloma which can be treated long-term, but for which there is no cure. Like every challenge in her life, Jen was determined to fight like hell and win. She never missed a medication or a treatment and remained positive and always saw the bright light at the end of the tunnel - just a setback, this cancer.
On the morning of April 9, 2024, surrounded by her family, Jen’s fight with cancer ended and her suffering stopped.
Jennifer’s memory and legacy will be carried on by her loving husband and best friend, Gui DeReamer, her two sons Lucas and Zane and, of course, her cats Silvie and Theo. She is also survived by her parents Larry and Rosalind Lewis (Brenman), sister Gabrielle, brother-in-law James Orr, her niece Maddie, and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.
Jennifer was preceded in death by her grandparents Jack and Agnes Brenman; Hank Lewis and Helen Lewis, as well as her Aunt Karen Feldman, and cousins Jordan Feldman and Jered Solan.
Jennifer’s family and friends will gather for a Celebration of Life on Sunday on May 19, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. in the Butterfly Garden at Mead Botanical Gardens. The gardens are located at 1300 S. Denning Drive in Winter Park, Florida. Food and drinks will be served along with plenty of opportunities to share memories of Jennifer. Do not worry how casually or formally you dress; it is your presence and love that means the most.
Jennifer’s family would like to thank her incredibly caring medical team at Advent Health Orlando for their kindness and compassion during Jennifer’s cancer treatment. For those interested in donating to support something Jennifer was passionate about, consider donating to CATS CAN at https://www.cats-can.org/info/donate she loved her kitties and wanted to help save more when she recovered.
