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July 26, 1970
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November 13, 2026
Services
Friends are invited to a memorial gathering and celebration of Jennifer’s life on Sunday, November 22, 2026, from 2 PM to 5 PM at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Rd, Wayne.
Jennifer DeHope (nee VerHoven), age 56, of Inverness, Florida, and formerly of Wayne, NJ, died on Monday, October 26, 2026. A beloved daughter, mother, sister, partner, and friend, Jennifer will be remembered for her creativity, warmth, independent spirit, and love of music and family.
Raised in Wayne, Jennifer had lived in West Milford before moving to Florida about ten years ago. She first lived in Fort Lauderdale and eventually settled in Inverness, Florida, about six years ago.
Jennifer was a lifelong free spirit, eager to forge her own path through life beginning in her teenage years. After high school, she attended computer school and held a 9-to-5 office job only briefly before realizing that would not suit her at all. She simply didn’t fit into the daily grind of the corporate world.
Jennifer was wonderfully artistic and loved making jewelry, dream catchers, and other handmade pieces. Her favorite color was purple, which was evident in much of her artwork. In Inverness, she founded Soul Wisdom Studio, a small shop that reflected her love of crafting and Native American-inspired art. Her creativity also showed in her many tattoos, each carrying its own personal meaning. Jennifer was excited to take her daughter for her very first tattoo as well. Jennifer always described herself as “small but mighty,” a favorite saying she proudly displayed on her pickup truck.
Music was another lifelong passion. Jennifer loved live music, concerts, and bands like Bon Jovi, Metallica, Def Leppard, and KISS. She shared that love with her family, including taking her son to his first KISS concert. Family trips to Disney World and annual Fourth of July camping trips—with tents, bonfires, swimming, and plenty of laughter—became cherished family memories.
Jennifer also shared a close bond with her son Michael’s longtime girlfriend, Anne-Marie Urbanski. Over Michael and Anne-Marie’s thirteen years together, Anne-Marie became a special part of Jennifer’s life. They enjoyed outings to the Lunar fair, and during one of Jennifer’s visits, Michael and Anne-Marie took her ghost hunting. Anne-Marie’s favorite memory of their first meeting involved Jennifer presenting her with a rather unconventional coffee mug—a gift with a surprise that quickly revealed Jennifer’s mischievous sense of humor. As Anne-Marie recalled, “She asked me if I liked her mug. Little did I know there was a lot more to that question than I initially realized.”
Jennifer was also proud to have become ordained and to have officiated the wedding of her friends, Courtney and Scott. Being able to play such a meaningful part in their lives was an honor she treasured.
Jennifer was especially close to her sister, Sue, with whom she shared a deep bond. They were “Irish twins,” born just eleven months apart. Sadly, Sue passed away in 2014 after a battle with cancer, and Jennifer grieved deeply for her sister ever since. Jennifer faced serious health challenges of her own in recent years, including a return of cancer two years ago. Through it all, the love and support of those closest to her, especially her partner Chris Halligan, remained a meaningful part of her life. Her family will remember Jennifer as artistic, spirited, and unmistakably herself. Her love of music and family, her delight in making beautiful things, her playful humor, and her beautiful curly hair all helped make her unforgettable.
When Jennifer was a teenager, her mother endured heartbreaking challenges in their relationship that brought angst and worry to every day. Those trying times and difficult experiences inspired her mom to write a poem, which she now shares with all of you here.
MY TEENAGE DAUGHTER
Where is this child that once was mine – so loving and so dear?
The one whose feelings I’d understand whenever she was near.
Am I so old? I never thought – as fun and her laughter I’ve always sought.
Now in her mind it always seems I do not understand her dreams.
No matter what I do is wrong; the hours waiting seem so long.
When her whereabouts I do not know, I’m full of woe because I love her so.
The arguments, they never cease – when will this family be at peace?
The hurt and frustration I feel from day to day, while her new clothes just sit there wasting away.
The questions and worry are not from mistrust.
My heart is so full of love, I feel it will bust.
She’s so precious to me; she’s special from the rest.
She’s my teenage daughter and one of the best.
The music, the phone calls, the fads and the clothes.
She says I’m old-fashioned, but little does she know – the same feelings I had and to my own mother I told.
The sacrifices that I’ve made; when will she see the light?
Maybe when she holds her own precious child – then she just might.
The world will then be different, but one thing won’t change – the Love of a Mother will always be the same.
Jennifer leaves behind her loving parents, Robert and Frances VerHoven of Wayne; her son, Michael Nargiso of Wayne, and his girlfriend Anne-Marie Urbanski; her daughter, Jenna DeHope of West Milford; her brother, Bob VerHoven and his wife Alicia of Elkton, MD; her partner, Chris Halligan of Inverness, FL; and extended family including Cathy Sherry (Ryan) of Neptune, NJ, Bryan VerHoven (Alex) of Toms River, NJ, Juliet and Griffin Sherry of Neptune, NJ, and many friends.
If you would like to send a private condolence directly to the family use this condolence section.
Friends are invited to a memorial gathering and celebration of Jennifer’s life on Sunday, November 22, 2026, from 2 PM to 5 PM at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Rd, Wayne.
November 13, 2026
November 13, 2026
Services
Friends are invited to a memorial gathering and celebration of Jennifer’s life on Sunday, November 22, 2026, from 2 PM to 5 PM at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Rd, Wayne.
Jennifer DeHope (nee VerHoven), age 56, of Inverness, Florida, and formerly of Wayne, NJ, died on Monday, October 26, 2026. A beloved daughter, mother, sister, partner, and friend, Jennifer will be remembered for her creativity, warmth, independent spirit, and love of music and family.
Raised in Wayne, Jennifer had lived in West Milford before moving to Florida about ten years ago. She first lived in Fort Lauderdale and eventually settled in Inverness, Florida, about six years ago.
Jennifer was a lifelong free spirit, eager to forge her own path through life beginning in her teenage years. After high school, she attended computer school and held a 9-to-5 office job only briefly before realizing that would not suit her at all. She simply didn’t fit into the daily grind of the corporate world.
Jennifer was wonderfully artistic and loved making jewelry, dream catchers, and other handmade pieces. Her favorite color was purple, which was evident in much of her artwork. In Inverness, she founded Soul Wisdom Studio, a small shop that reflected her love of crafting and Native American-inspired art. Her creativity also showed in her many tattoos, each carrying its own personal meaning. Jennifer was excited to take her daughter for her very first tattoo as well. Jennifer always described herself as “small but mighty,” a favorite saying she proudly displayed on her pickup truck.
Music was another lifelong passion. Jennifer loved live music, concerts, and bands like Bon Jovi, Metallica, Def Leppard, and KISS. She shared that love with her family, including taking her son to his first KISS concert. Family trips to Disney World and annual Fourth of July camping trips—with tents, bonfires, swimming, and plenty of laughter—became cherished family memories.
Jennifer also shared a close bond with her son Michael’s longtime girlfriend, Anne-Marie Urbanski. Over Michael and Anne-Marie’s thirteen years together, Anne-Marie became a special part of Jennifer’s life. They enjoyed outings to the Lunar fair, and during one of Jennifer’s visits, Michael and Anne-Marie took her ghost hunting. Anne-Marie’s favorite memory of their first meeting involved Jennifer presenting her with a rather unconventional coffee mug—a gift with a surprise that quickly revealed Jennifer’s mischievous sense of humor. As Anne-Marie recalled, “She asked me if I liked her mug. Little did I know there was a lot more to that question than I initially realized.”
Jennifer was also proud to have become ordained and to have officiated the wedding of her friends, Courtney and Scott. Being able to play such a meaningful part in their lives was an honor she treasured.
Jennifer was especially close to her sister, Sue, with whom she shared a deep bond. They were “Irish twins,” born just eleven months apart. Sadly, Sue passed away in 2014 after a battle with cancer, and Jennifer grieved deeply for her sister ever since. Jennifer faced serious health challenges of her own in recent years, including a return of cancer two years ago. Through it all, the love and support of those closest to her, especially her partner Chris Halligan, remained a meaningful part of her life. Her family will remember Jennifer as artistic, spirited, and unmistakably herself. Her love of music and family, her delight in making beautiful things, her playful humor, and her beautiful curly hair all helped make her unforgettable.
When Jennifer was a teenager, her mother endured heartbreaking challenges in their relationship that brought angst and worry to every day. Those trying times and difficult experiences inspired her mom to write a poem, which she now shares with all of you here.
MY TEENAGE DAUGHTER
Where is this child that once was mine – so loving and so dear?
The one whose feelings I’d understand whenever she was near.
Am I so old? I never thought – as fun and her laughter I’ve always sought.
Now in her mind it always seems I do not understand her dreams.
No matter what I do is wrong; the hours waiting seem so long.
When her whereabouts I do not know, I’m full of woe because I love her so.
The arguments, they never cease – when will this family be at peace?
The hurt and frustration I feel from day to day, while her new clothes just sit there wasting away.
The questions and worry are not from mistrust.
My heart is so full of love, I feel it will bust.
She’s so precious to me; she’s special from the rest.
She’s my teenage daughter and one of the best.
The music, the phone calls, the fads and the clothes.
She says I’m old-fashioned, but little does she know – the same feelings I had and to my own mother I told.
The sacrifices that I’ve made; when will she see the light?
Maybe when she holds her own precious child – then she just might.
The world will then be different, but one thing won’t change – the Love of a Mother will always be the same.
Jennifer leaves behind her loving parents, Robert and Frances VerHoven of Wayne; her son, Michael Nargiso of Wayne, and his girlfriend Anne-Marie Urbanski; her daughter, Jenna DeHope of West Milford; her brother, Bob VerHoven and his wife Alicia of Elkton, MD; her partner, Chris Halligan of Inverness, FL; and extended family including Cathy Sherry (Ryan) of Neptune, NJ, Bryan VerHoven (Alex) of Toms River, NJ, Juliet and Griffin Sherry of Neptune, NJ, and many friends.
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