Jenny Elizabeth Alpaugh of Gainesville, Florida, passed away on Thursday, February 5, 2026.

Jenny was born on May 9, 1996, in Athens, Georgia, to Enrique and Rebecca. A proud product of the Clarke County School District, she attended Timothy Road Elementary School, Clarke Middle School, and Clarke Central High School.

At Clarke Central, she thrived as a leader of the award-winning ODYSSEY Newsmagazine, serving in multiple editorial roles. Through journalism, she developed her love for storytelling, communication, and community. Her dedication and talent culminated in her being named Georgia's Champion Journalist during both her junior and senior years. Her work included thoughtful pieces such as her editorial "We Are the Church," which reflected her belief in community of Oconee Street Methodist Church and the interconnectedness of people through faith and service.

Jenny went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Georgia, reflecting both her intellectual curiosity and her deep desire to understand the world around her. While at UGA, she worked closely with the Georgia Scholastic Press Association and continued to mentor young journalists at CCHS.

From childhood, Jenny loved to crochet, a skill she learned from her grandmother and carried throughout her life. Long before handmade crafts experienced a resurgence in popularity, she built a successful small business around her creations. She poured countless hours into her work, sharing joy with customers and generously offering guidance to others interested in entering the market world. She was always willing to share her knowledge and help someone else succeed.

In recent years, Jenny found profound fulfillment working as a nanny. She was deeply loved by the children in her care and had a rare gift for making them feel seen, safe, and valued. Through her involvement in creating summer art camps, she fostered spaces where children could be creative, inventive, and fully themselves. Even the most timid children blossomed around her; she had a remarkable ability to draw out confidence and joy.

Jenny was a lifelong lover of books, a proud road trip enthusiast, and someone who valued both independence and connection. Once she set her mind to something, she pursued it with determination. She cared deeply about people and community and was a passionate advocate for mental health awareness, believing in openness, compassion, and showing up for one another.

For friends and family, this last year was not Jenny. There were small glimpses of her vibrant spirit, but her light was fading. She had so much love and support around her, and somehow it still was not enough.

Jenny will be remembered as fiercely independent, deeply intelligent, and unmistakably her own person. She moved through life with curiosity, creativity, and quiet confidence. Jenny's intellect, artistic spirit, and the way she made others feel understood and appreciated are all part of her lasting legacy -- one that lives on in the stories she told, the art she created, the children she nurtured, and the many lives she touched.

Jenny is survived by her parents, Enrique and Rebecca; her stepfather, Jack Shultz; her grandmother, Evelyn Shingler; and her younger sister, Julie. Though Jenny and Julie were very different growing up, their relationship deepened over time into a meaningful bond rooted in trust, collective experiences, and a shared streak of determination. Jenny was also embraced by the community at Oconee Street Methodist Church, where she found fellowship and connection.

Jenny's memorial service will be held on Saturday, Feb. 14 at Forest Meadows Funeral Home in Gainesville, Florida, at 2 PM.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Grow-Hub and/or DJ Deas Marvelous Light Foundation:

Grow-Hub: https://www.grow-hub.org/

DJ Deas Marvelous Light Foundation: https://djdeasmarvelouslightfoundation.com/contact-us/