Impact

Jennifer R. McKillop Remembrance Scholarship

We are pleased to offer an annual scholarship in remembrance of Jennifer Reynolds McKillop (1968-2013), beloved sister of DuBose Foundation Officer & Executive Board member Kate Reynolds Bryant.

Jenn grew up in Bethel, Connecticut. It was on the East Coast, particularly Vermont's "Ski It If You Can" Mad River Glen, where her love and deep affinity for the mountains was first cultivated; Kate left, Jenn right.

But it was Telluride, Colorado, that captured her imagination; shown here celebrating the closing on her first home. In the 23 years that she lived in Telluride, Jenny amassed a staggering number of devoted friends, a feat that owed much to her defining qualities of kindness, generosity and boundless amounts of energy.

First, the kindness and generosity: Jenn was known throughout the tight-knit Telluride community as someone who made time for the people she cared about and had a knack for knowing just what her friends needed, whether it was her trademark flourless chocolate cake, a ride to the airport or a good listener.

As for her limitless store of energy Jenn (often accompanied by her beloved dog, Toby) used it to explore the remote corner of the San Juan Mountains where Telluride sits. She climbed fourteeners, rafted the Colorado River and skied every inch of the Telluride Ski Resort. She built igloos, danced joyously at festivals, and ran mountain races.

There wasn’t anything Jenn didn’t do brilliantly, and that extended to her most treasured roles of wife and mother. In 2002, after a decade of living in the same small town without ever crossing paths, Jenn and John McKillop met.

They married in 2004 and welcomed a son, Sean, in 2006, and daughter Caitlyn in 2008. Jenn found love, joy and utter fulfillment in her family.

The other great loves of Jenn’s life were her sister, Kate, and Kate’s beautiful daughters, Ainsley and Lily, who rejoiced in spending time with their fun and funny Auntie Apple.

Jenn was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2011, which she fought with both grace and vigor for two plus years. She passed away far too early, but her family and friends still see her everyday in her children and nieces, in the beauty of Telluride’s natural surroundings and in cherished memories.

Jenn is also remembered through this scholarship, which will be awarded to the candidate(s) with need that best represent her values, including:

– Kindness
– Generosity
– Boundless energy