June 13, 1974 - November 11, 2021
My Mom, Jennifer Ann Pogatchnik Lemon, passed away one year ago today. It was not easy writing this obituary for her, but she deserves to be memorialized as she was a remarkable human being and anything but ordinary. This last year has been beyond painful and excruciating to say the least, learning to live our lives without her here. Jennifer was born in Port Angeles, WA and ended up moving to Yakima, WA with her family, growing up predominantly in Central Washington. She was loved by many and would always reminisce about her childhood, growing up with her friends. Many of those relationships carried her through into her adult life and she treasured each and every one of them. Jennifer got married right after graduating Eisenhower High School. She worked incessantly on obtaining her degree at YVCC while simultaneously being a young mother to her first child, Erika Lemon. She graduated from the COTA program at Yakima Valley Community College and later moved on to bigger things which led her to settle in Spokane, WA working in her chosen profession. She was a lifelong, devoted caretaker to her mother, Margaret Ann Pogatchnik who was struck with multiple sclerosis and required constant care. Jennifer took on that task along with being a full-time, working, single mother. She always helped others in need and found great joy and satisfaction in doing so. On her off time, she enjoyed traveling, being out in nature, exploring her horizons and was hands down, the best cook ever. You would always find her in the kitchen, cooking up a storm. Or she would be in her happy place, earbuds in, jamming out to her favorite music or catching up on her Netflix. She loved her animals and they brought her much comfort. I will miss her stories about her patients and the time she spent as a COTA helping those needing to recover. Jennifer’s gentle voice, stunning amber green eyes and serene smile could light up the entire room and leave everyone around her feeling warm inside. We would spend hours laughing at everything and at nothing. She not only had a way with words, but she was highly intelligent and had a sharp, quick wit about her. Deep down she was an old soul who intensely loved the people in her life that were fortunate enough to be a part of it. She worked with numerous companies and facilities as an occupational therapist and ended up at Sacred Heart Hospital where she would give birth to her second child, Alexander Gustaffe. She was an amazing mother and grandmother and I am honored to be her daughter, because I would not be half the woman I am today if not for her. Her favorite place was the ocean and if she was not near the water, she was most certainly in the water. She found true love in her partner, Bill and was happiest visiting him in Montana spending their time getting lost in the woods together. Her dark, witty humor helped her overcome many of the personal struggles and challenges she faced in life. It has been a year since she left us and the intense grief still lingers. However, we live in comfort knowing her soul is free and she is looking down upon us.  Jennifer was preceded in death by her father Edward Pogatchnik, her mother Margaret Pogatchnik and her sister, Tiffanie Duncan. She is survived by her fiancé Bill Langdon, her brother Christopher Pogatchnik, her daughter Erika Lemon, her son Alexander Gustaffe and her granddaughter, Alia Amiree. Mom, I will forever love and miss you.
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