Jenna Michelle Seward, age 17, of Higganum, CT beloved daughter of Michael and Michelle and loving sister of Michael, Jr. and Madalyn, went from the arms of her parents into the arms of her Heavenly Father on Sunday, April 18, 2021, at Connecticut Children’s Medical Center after suffering from a rapidly progressive autoimmune disorder. Born in Middletown, CT on July 8, 2003, daughter of Michael James and Michelle Anne (Cyrus) Seward, she grew up in Connecticut before moving to Florida with her family at the age of eight. Her family returned to Connecticut six years ago settling in Higganum where Jenna was involved in many activities and was a student at Haddam/Killingworth High School, RSD #17.
As a child she participated in horseback riding, dance, gymnastics, soccer, basketball, skimboarding, and music playing the violin and the cello. The daughter of a reading specialist, Jenna became an avid reader at an early age and loved deep discussions about what she was currently reading. In recent years, she became interested in photography and enjoyed capturing the beauty of the people, places, and things around her. She had a lifelong love of the beach which she shared with her family as a young girl and with her friends as she got older. At Haddam-Killingworth High School, she was a part of the throwing squad on the Track and Field team where she made many friends and spent many memorable times with them on and off the field. In the last year, she became passionate about going to the gym with her friend Mikaya, who joined her every morning at 5:30 a.m. Some of her most treasured memories were times spent on the many family outings, trips with Tiel, taking hikes, hanging out at the beach in Westbrook, weekends at the Laurenza’s cabin, and driving around with her friends. There was never a dull moment when Jenna was around.
Her family, her faith, and her values helped form her into an amazingly beautiful person inside and out. She was thoughtful and observant, fiercely loyal and protective, serious yet funny at the same time, an awesome listener, and a trusted friend. Jenna had an innate sense of justice and wouldn’t stand for those who were “fake” or “users”. Jenna was bold and took stands to protect her family, her friends, and others. When Jenna spoke…people listened.
Jenna’s own writings provided a snapshot of what she held sacred in life. Forgiveness, choosing quality over quantity when it comes to your friends, finding people who love and care for the real you, cherishing every moment, bringing happiness to others when possible, appreciating other’s differences, finding joy in everyday moments, and being yourself…Loving yourself! These character traits showed Jenna’s wisdom beyond her years and served as a role model to her younger siblings for whom she was an ever-present cheerleader and passionate defender in all aspects of their life.
Recently, Jenna was so proud to have been offered a place in the University of Rhode Island Honors Program. She was excited to attend the Doctor of Pharmacology Program and dreamed of later pursuing a law degree so she could help and defend others.
Besides her parents, Mike and Michelle Seward, she leaves her brother, Michael James Seward, Jr.; her sister, Madalyn Rose Seward; her grandparents, Jim and Cindy Seward of Branford, CT, and Karen and David Armstrong of Higganum, CT; two great-grandmothers, Arlene Rogers of Shelton and Patricia Barbour and her husband Charles of Durham, CT; three uncles, James Cyrus and his wife Mary of Durham, CT, William Seward of Guilford, CT, and Anthony Seward of Branford, CT; three cousins whom she loved and cherished unconditionally, Abigail, Charlotte, and Conor; and many other relatives, friends, and classmates who will miss her dearly.
In lieu of flowers, a fund to support Jenna’s family and honor her memory has been established. Please consider donating by visiting, www.tmcfunding.com/funds/jenna-michelle-seward-memorial-fund/5531/.
