Jessica Marie McGaughey

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Jessica Marie McGaughey, who left us suddenly, intensely, and traumatically on February 11, 2025, at the age of 31. Born on February 22, 1993, in Calgary, Alberta, Jessica’s life was marked by her strength, resilience, and deep love for both animals and people.

Jessica was born with Noonan Syndrome, a rare condition that required heart surgery as a baby. Despite the challenges she faced, Jessica lived with a profound love for others, always seeking to show kindness and spend time with those whom the world often overlooked. She dedicated herself to her family, cherishing every moment spent with them, especially her nieces and nephews, whom she adored. Jessica treasured every gathering with her grandparents and embraced family time, no matter how big or small.

Jessica’s love for animals was immense. She was incredibly proud of her time volunteering at Killarney Cat Hospital in Calgary, where Jessica combined her passion for animals with her desire to make a difference. She earned her degree as a Veterinary Office Assistant from Bow Valley College, realizing her dream of working with animals in a meaningful way.

In addition to her love for animals and family, Jessica was a lifelong fan of Reba McEntire and loved watching Little House on the Prairie. These were a few of the simple joys she cherished in life.

Jessica passed away after a sudden, intense, and painful battle over the course of five days. An infection caused her heart to fail, and despite her fierce determination, she was unable to recover. Jessica was the strongest of all of us, facing each moment with courage and love until the very end.

Jessica was known for her sassy, grumpy sense of humor and her loving heart. She was a devoted wife to her husband, James Trenerry, and is survived by her parents, Sandra Walker and Fred McGaughey (and his wife Annie McGaughey); her siblings, Shasta Jepsen, Deborah Koyata (husband Noel Koyata), and Freddy McGaughey; her nieces and nephews, Judah, Aaliyah, McKenzie, Emma, Daniel, Abbey, and Isaiah; and her beloved husband, James.

A celebration of Jessica’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on March 8, 2025, at the Glenbrook Community Association, 3524 - 45 Street SW, Calgary, Alberta. All are welcome to come and honor Jessica’s life and the love she gave.