Jennifer Rogers

Jennifer J. Rogers age 67, passed away May 19, 2020 after a valiant year-long battle with cancer.  She was born August 8, 1952, in Watervliet, Michigan, to Jack and Mary Weir.  Jennifer was married to Michael W. Rogers in 1976 in Watervliet, Michigan and graduated from Michigan State University with Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Education. She worked for nearly four decades as a preschool teacher and childcare director for Holt Public Schools, owned and operated the Heritage Home Adult Foster Care in Holt, and was a member of the Catholic Diocese of Lansing.

Surviving are: her husband of 44 years, Michael Rogers; mother Mary Weir, children Vanessa Sayres and her husband Rory Sayres, son Brandon Rogers and his wife Rachel Jensen, grandchildren Sebastian and Eleanor Sayres and Soren and Sigrid Rogers; brothers Greg Weir, John Weir, Mike Weir and David Weir; mother-in-law Joann Rogers, brother-in-law Dave Rogers and his wife Beth, sister-in-law Melissa Dawdy and her husband Rick, sister-in-law Jane Snodgrass and her husband Richard, brother-in-law Peter Rogers and his wife Sheri, sister-in-law Sarah White and her husband Joe, nephew Noah Weir, his wife Samantha and niece Hannah Weir; in addition to and not excluding numerous other beloved nieces, nephews and cousins.

Jennifer was an enthusiastic fan of Michigan State basketball and tremendously enjoyed attending games with her husband Michael and in-laws Dave and Beth Rogers. She also loved travel trailer trips with her husband to northern Michigan and around the country.

Jennifer was beloved by all the hundreds of young children on whose lives she had a tremendous positive influence during her teaching career. The impact of her work was manifested by the fact many of her preschoolers grew up and sent their own children to her preschool program. Her caring and loving nature expressed itself not only in her work with the very young but also the very elderly in her adult foster care business.

Jennifer was energetic, hard working and compassionate toward anyone frail, needy or marginalized. She had a great sense of humor and her preschoolers often repeated her catch phrases like “Mrs. Rogers, that’s a big and honkin’ mess” and “don’t be a bunch of wild hooligans!” Her enthusiasm and affection for her family, her work, her friends and everyone she met will be greatly missed.

The service will be private, with burial in Maple Ridge Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Foundation for Women’s Cancer in memory of Jennifer J. Rogers.