Obituary of Jennifer Sansale

Jennifer (Jenny) Sansale

Age 49, passed away peacefully in the loving embrace of her parents, Paul and Lynn, and brothers, Adam and Casey, on Sunday, Sept 8.

Jenny was a blessing from God. She constantly taught all of us the importance of love, kindness and grace. Her caring, sweet nature will be missed by all those who knew her. Jenny will be remembered most for her joy and happiness. Though she couldn’t speak, she would communicate her warmth in spirit with her big hugs and kisses. People always mention how sweet she was as a person and how her smile and giggles were so infectious to those who cared for her. She was never one to shy from showing affection to those around her that loved her. Jenny is also known for being brave and tough through the many burdens she faced in her life. She hardly ever complained and showed such resiliency to any hardship she encountered, through difficult surgeries, procedures she endured, and illnesses she faced later in life. No matter the difficulty, she faced it with grace, humility, and determination that was above and beyond.

Jenny loved music and it was always part of her life. From playing guitar or maracas, to playing beats with her “twos,” to singing or humming tunes with her family, she always enjoyed music and listened to it as often as she could. She loved going out into the world, being part of nature or just enjoying the world around her at a mall or on a walk. She adored being around dogs, petting them, getting “kisses” and most especially having the family dogs lie at her feet or on her lap.

She will also be remembered for being a part of the first group of disabled teens to integrate into the classrooms in Hastings in the 80s thanks to the work of several great trailblazing administrators and the parents inspired by MN Partners in Policymaking. There, Jenny inspired many non-disabled peers around her, who later became her friends, some going on to work in disability services.

Jenny was survived by her parents, Paul and Lynn, and her two brothers, Adam and Casey. The family is thankful for a lifetime of support from Gillette Hospital and its staff, specifically their doctors, nurses, specialists, and most recently, PT Laura B., and Dr. Tori Bahr and its Complex Care Team there. Her family would also like to give their heartfelt thanks to all the doctors, nurses, and support care specialists and teams at Regions Hospital, who not only showed love and care in their treatment the past few years, but did it with dignity and respect for Jenny.

Jenny’s family also wants to thank ACR Homes, who gave her a wonderful and loving place to call home for over 20 years. After losing this home due to the pandemic, Jenny had a very difficult year until she started a daily program through Merrick, Inc. at their site on Willow

Blvd. These exceptional and affectionate folks helped Jenny find her smile and giggle again and for that, her family will be forever grateful. It’s also very important for her family to thank Jenny’s good friends Nick, Lydia, and Amanda.

A memorial service is being planned for Jenny. Please contact the family for details. In Lieu of flowers, donations, if desired, can be made to Merrick, Inc. in her honor and memory.