Obituary of Jennifer Leah Gilman

It is with great shock and sadness that we inform you that Jennifer “Jenn” Leah Gilman, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, therapist, and true friend of many many people passed away on September 28, at the age of 40. 

Jenn earned a Masters Degree in Social Work from the University of Southern Maine, and spent much of her young adulthood aiding and fighting for the rights of the impoverished population of Portland, ME.  She co-authored a book about homelessness, which was published when she was 29.  She also spent several years doing Intensive In-Home therapy, and specialized in helping children manage trauma. 

In more recent years she worked as a therapist in private practice where she started her own therapy practice, Walk With You Counseling, in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. 

In addition to the countless people she helped, she was also a wonderful wife, mother, friend, and dog mommy.  She is predeceased by her mother, Sandy Barton, Father, Michael Barton, her beloved dog Skeeter, and beloved cat Gemini, and is survived by her husband, Casey Gilman, whom she loved fiercely, daughters, Dalilah Gilman and Celeste Gilman, Uncle Jeff Vinton, best friends, Stacey Canas and Alexis Steele, and brother Patrick Barton. 

Jenn was an adventurous spirit and loved hiking, camping, visiting the mountains and the beach, all with her family.  In her 40 years, she climbed to the top of the Leaning Tower of Pisa, traveled to the Colosseum in Rome, visited 40 of the 50 US states, and was featured in the Today Show’s “Joy Fit Club”. 

A music lover, Jenn’s tastes spanned all genres of music, including Broadway.  She loved Sunflowers.  She was an avid reader, and loved getting new books.  Belle was her favorite Disney princess and she had a beloved “Beauty and the Beast” tea set. 

Jenn will be forever missed by all of the multitudes of people who knew and loved her.  A few bits of wisdom that Jenn shared with those who knew her are: 

1. Live in the moment.  Tomorrow isn’t promised. 
2. The most important thing you can do is show up. 
3. No matter how you show up, you are enough. 
4. Practice gratitude. 
5. Kindness matters – consider random acts of kindness. 
6. Be an Optimist Prime not a Negatron. 
7. Become and organ donor. 

Her 10 year old daughter Dalilah would like to add the following fashion tips: 

1. Here are some of the things that I learned from my Mom about how to dress nicely: 
2. Don’t pull long sleeved socks up all the way up when wearing shorts. 
3. Don’t wear a suit with shorts. 
4. Don’t wear a skirt with a dress. 
5. Don’t wear a bunch of clothes over a bunch of clothes unless it’s winter. 
6. Don’t wear short sleeves in winter or fall. 
7. Don’t wear long sleeves in the summer or spring. 
8. Those are all the things that me and my Dad learned.  You are the best Mom in the whole world. 

Jenn’s Memorial Service will be held online on Saturday, October 8th at 3pm Eastern.  Login information will be announced on Facebook as the date gets closer.  If you do not have access to the feeds of her closest friends and relatives, please contact Casey Gilman via email at caseygilman78@gmail.com.