Died December 7, 2020.

Kent Elementary Intensive Learning Center, Wyoming, DE

Special Education

Obituary:

Jennifer Dawn Gerhard Wightman, of Dover, died December 7, 2020 in her home. Jennifer passed peacefully in her sleep due to a pulmonary embolism following a recent leg injury and COVID-19 diagnosis. She was 37.

Jennifer was born, March 12, 1983, in Dover, Delaware to Randal T. and Laurie Betts Gerhard.

She was a devoted student and graduated from Cape Henlopen High School with full scholarships to the University of Delaware. She was the first in her family to attend college. Jennifer graduated with a BA in Criminal Justice and Sociology with a concentration in Social Welfare and also minored in Music and Women’s Studies. Later, she earned her Master of Education in Special Education from Wilmington University and was selected the 2016 Student Commencement Speaker for her leadership and dedication. Jennifer also held an advanced certification in At Risk Youth from Central Texas College.

Jennifer was a lifelong music lover. She played many instruments including the flute in the high school and college marching bands. She especially loved playing in the University of Delaware Symphonic Band and Flute Choir. During college, Jennifer proposed to her husband Billy. She presented him with an Army themed engagement ring signifying her willingness to become an Army Spouse. Together they explored the Great State of Texas and Jennifer bravely faced the many challenges of military life.

Jennifer started her career as a Social Worker but later found her true passion as a Special Education Teacher at the Kent Elementary Intensive Learning Center. She was an exceptionally devoted Teacher and loved Kent County’s most vulnerable students as much as she loved her own children. Wightman (as she was affectingly called) was a trusted mentor to her fellow teachers and paraprofessionals and was going to be recommended for Teacher of the Year before her death. Jennifer’s influence spread far outside her classroom and she was a past Odyssey of the Mind Coach and a current Girl Scout Leader for Troop 1431.

Jennifer’s talents and interests were nearly endless. She loved cooking and craftwork and competed yearly at the Delaware State Fair in Culinary Arts and Arts and Crafts. She won countless ribbons including the Judge’s Awards, Governor’s Day Award, and Best in Show. Jennifer loved the natural sciences, bird watching, photography, gardening, environmentalism, and visiting National Parks. She also loved reading, Irish and Celtic culture, King Arthur tales, Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, Star Trek, Dr. Who, and almost any science fiction or fantasy show. Jennifer was personally invested in LGBTQ equality throughout her life and was dedicated to her personal values of Care, Kindness, Compassion, Empathy, Trust, Honesty, Cooperation, Happiness, and Integrity.

She was preceded in death by her great grandmother, Madeline Dorothy Wise, and niece, Jessie Leeanne Gerhard.

She is survived by her husband of 15 years, William (Billy) H. Wightman III; children, Xavier Joseph, Liam James, and Adeline JoyAnne Wightman all of Dover; brothers, Jason Todd, Jesse Lee, and Jacob Willey Gerhard all of Ellendale; sisters, Jeanna Kate Gerhard of Milford, and Jacquelyn Susan Gerhard of Longneck; and many nieces and nephews.

A walk-through visitation with her family will be an hour before service time, 1 PM, Monday, December 14, 2020 at Torbert Funeral Chapel South, 1145 E. Lebanon Road (Rt.10), Dover.

Private Service which will be streamed live on torbertfuneralchapels facebook page.

In lieu of flowers, the family has established a fund that will directly benefit the children of the Kent Elementary Intensive Learning Center in Jennifer’s memory. Donations can be made using the following GoFundMe account:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/kent-elementary-ilc-in-memory-of-mrs-wightman