Jennifer Angela Babine

July 26, 1973 – November 21, 2023

Jennifer Babine, 50, of Salem, Oregon, passed away with her husband and sister at her bedside on November 21, 2023, at 1:20 a.m. after a courageous year-long battle with colon cancer.

Jennifer was born on July 26, 1973, to parents William (Bill) and MaryAnne Anderson in Salem, Oregon. She was a joyous and fun-loving daughter and big sister to Tracy and Billy. In her teenage years, she kept her parents on their toes and her sister and brother in line with her strength, strong will, and stubbornness. She also loved fiercely and was very protective of those close to her. She was the best person to have in your corner. She always enjoyed a good time and, throughout her life, had a contagious laugh and warm smile that would light up a room. That laugh and smile will be missed beyond measure.

Jennifer graduated from McKay High School in 1991. After an illustrious high-school career at the local Taco Bell where she met the love of her life (more on that later), she went on to work at the Salem Post Office, where her father and much of the family worked. She worked for the Post Office for many years at both the main Post Office in Salem as well as the smaller Mt. Angel Post Office where she spent much of her time as a mail clerk/carrier.

In 2006, Jennifer left her postal career to be at home with her children. After this short stint as a stay-at-home mom, she went back to work managing multiple gas stations. The CEO was so impressed with Jennifer’s managerial skills that he handpicked her to open a new business venture: a small, restaurant/convenience store called Pardos in Salem. At Pardos, she was able to flex her culinary skills crafting menus that kept patrons coming back for more while simultaneously managing the onsite convenience store. After Pardos, Jennifer was recruited to work for US Market Stores where she worked in a more behind-the-scenes role as the Office Manager. This was the job she held until the end. She truly enjoyed working for such a family-focused and supportive business. The understanding and generosity of US Market leadership meant so much to Jennifer and her family during this very difficult past year.

In the summer of 1989, only one month after Aaron’s family moved to Salem from Northern California, Jennifer met Aaron when he approached her at the cash register at the old Taco Bell on Market Street and asked for a job application. It was love at first sight…sort of. Though they both had a “thing” for each other right away, they each had a test run at marriage with another taco-slinger-turned-spouse before realizing that they were actually the ones meant for each other. They then married on October 24, 1999, at a small ceremony attended by close family in Las Vegas. Jennifer and Aaron went on to have two wonderful, supportive, and loving children of their own, son and daughter, Sean and CJ. With the marriage to Aaron, Jennifer also became the “bonus mom” to the spunky and lovely Daphne, Aaron’s daughter from his first marriage.

Jennifer cherished being a Mother and loved her children fiercely. She filled their hearts with her best qualities, nurturing them into the outstanding people they are today.

Sean, her first born, brought a joy and purpose to her life that only a mother can know. He is a kind, intelligent, funny man, who inherited Jennifer’s loving heart, playful spirit, and an affinity for being in the kitchen. He selflessly and patiently cared for her, just as Jennifer had done for so many people throughout her life.

CJ, her daughter, was her shadow and counterpart in so many ways. They were inseparable from day one, so much so that when it was time to find employment, Jennifer trained CJ at her office so they could become coworkers. They shared a special mother/daughter bond that only they will know. Whether speaking to each other with just a glance or laughing together at their favorite shows…they loved each other’s company.

She was so proud of her children and considered them her greatest achievement.

A quote by an unknown author, “Mothers hold their children’s hands for a short while, but their hearts forever”.

Jennifer was humble and gracious with a love that was immense, especially when it came to her family and fur babies. She was a protective mama bear for whom she loved and enjoyed taking care of all she held dear, specifically when it came to feeding them. Jennifer was a foodie who loved to cook. She was a skilled home cook with a knack for traditional and bold flavor. She could mimic all the passed down family recipes perfectly and elevate them to new heights when the mood struck her. She created many of her own staple dishes that were requested on regular rotation. Jennifer’s excellent culinary skills and warm, welcoming kitchen hangs will be missed dearly.

Halloween was one of Jennifer’s favorite holidays. She has hosted some pretty grandiose Halloween parties that many will talk about for years to come. She also loved to scare people, regularly pranking her children to pull a good natured scare out of them. She could be pretty sneaky when she wanted to be, and was proud of it. After a good scare, she would always leave her victims with a cackle and a wry smile that meant “gotcha”. Of course, it came from a place of joy and love. Her lighthearted playfulness will be sorely missed.

Jennifer was a lover of nearly all styles of music, and would bust out and shake it when the beat was just right. Her impromptu dancing was always followed up by that laugh and smile we all know and love so much. Jennifer (and Tracy) had/have another favorite music related pastime where they quiz anyone in the room when songs come on the radio. They ask, “who is this?” and “what’s the name of the song?”, to showcase their music knowledge. To even the score, her kids would play the same game when listening to more modern music that they were familiar with. Well played Sean, CJ, and Daphne. Tracy believes that she bested Jennifer over the years in this music knowledge game. I bet Jennifer would beg to differ.

These are merely a couple among thousands of fond memories shared by the family to provide insight into the humbly wonderful, beautifully kind, lighthearted fun, and gracious old soul that was Jennifer.

Jennifer was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, William and Lois Anderson, her maternal grandparents, Albert and Mary Smith, her parents, William and MaryAnne Anderson, and her Uncles, Bob and Jim Smith.

Jennifer will be greatly missed by Aaron (husband), Sean (son), CJ (daughter), Daphne and Caelus (bonus daughter and bonus daughter-in-law), Milo, Jasper, and Pepper (fur babies), Tracy Anderson (sister), Riley and Courtney Hernandez (nephew, niece by marriage), Hailey Hernandez (niece), Bill and Kelly Anderson (brother and sister-in-law), Elizabeth, Anna, and Josie Anderson (nieces), Kelly Anderson (aunt), Adriana, Stefani, and Andy Aguilera-Anderson (cousins), Joe and Teresa Smith (uncle, aunt), Joel and Ryan Smith (cousins), Jim and Peggy McDowell (uncle, aunt), Erin Lee (cousin), Megan McVancel (cousin), Ian McDowell (cousin), Loui Carnley (cousin), and many caring and wonderful friends.

Services will be held at Howell, Edwards, Doerksen with Rigdon-Ransom Funeral Directors on Tuesday, December 5, at 2:00 p.m.

As an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be donated to Fight Colorectal Cancer (https://fightcolorectalcancer.org/biomarkers/braf/).

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hed-fh.com for the family.