Jenn Donley

Jenn Donley, 45, died tragically on November 9, 2026, while working in construction, a field in which she had made her mark. She was born on October 20, 1981 in Lancaster.  She graduated from Amanda Clear Creek in 2000, Hocking College and then Columbus State.  

Jenn was an amazing person and a genuinely kind soul who had a gift for improving everything she touched. She believed in building bridges, not just between places, but between people. She put her heart and energy into making connections, bringing people together, and making the world a little better than she found it. Jen consistently showed up for the things she believed in, including volunteering on Election Day and cheering on those working to make the world a better place for everyone.

Jenn loved spending time with her close friends, camping, and being out in the wilderness. She felt at home outdoors and deeply connected to the earth. She also loved yoga and felt a profound connection to the spiritual world around her.

To her friends, Jenn was a unicorn in human form, one of those rare people with an almost magical ability to brighten any room she entered. With her mischievous grin and sparkling eyes, she could make you laugh and remind you that there was still plenty of good in this world. She lived out loud, expressing herself through beautiful makeup and the most colorful clothing. She was unapologetically herself, and you couldn’t help but smile when she was around. Her individuality was so inspiring that more than a few people called Jen Donley their spirit animal.

Jenn spent the last four years of her career with the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT). Before that, she worked for several years at the Fairfield County Engineer’s Office, where she discovered her love of building bridges. She took tremendous pride in the bridges she helped build and in being a strong woman in a traditionally male-dominated field. Her work will remain a lasting part of the communities she helped connect.

We know Jenn is one with the universe now, looking out for us. We can almost hear her reminding us how amazing we are and telling us that the love we need is already here, ours to reach for.

She was the most amazing Wife, Sister, Friend and especially Aunt! Any time she was around her nephews Hide and Seek was bound to happen.

Jenn is survived by her loving husband of more than 21 years, Clint Donley, along with her parents Gary and Jean Kilbarger, and her sister, Megan (Josh) Danison. She is also survived by her in-laws Sarah and Ian Nash, Kyle (Dawn Erwin) Donley, her nephews, Cavin and Bennett Danison and Fletcher and Duncan Nash, and their dog Valentina and their cat, The Void.

She was preceded in death by her mother-in-law, Pam Donley Dailey, her stepfather, Kevin Dailey, and her father-in-law, Steven Donley. Her dogs, Ashley and Buddy, cats Lynx and Tiger.

Family and friends may call at the Frank E. Smith Funeral Home, 405 N Columbus St. Lancaster, OH 43130 on Friday Nov. 13th from 5PM until 8PM and Saturday one hour prior to the service. A Celebration of Life service will be held at the funeral home, Saturday Nov. 14th at 4PM. Per Jenn’s wishes Caring Cremation will take place and she will be placed into the base of a tree pod. Donations can be made to The Friends of Lancaster Parks and Recreation, 632 W. 5th Ave Lancaster, OH 43130 with Alley Park in the memo. Online condolences can be made at www.funeralhome.com.