Jennifer (Tchakirides) Gephart

Jennifer (Tchakirides) Gephart passed away on July 23, after a brave and courageous eight-month battle with Stage IV gall bladder cancer. She faced her cancer diagnosis with the same grace, grit, and determination that she applied to all aspects of her life, and her family could not be more proud of her. She was a loving and devoted wife to Captain Andrew Gephart, US Navy, and mother to her greatest joys, her twin daughters Katie (Katherine) and Amelia. She also leaves to cherish her memory her parents Barbara and Nelson Tchakirides, her sister (and live-in cancer caregiver) Tiffany, and her brother Nelson (and his wife Alison), who learned to play songs on his guitar so that he could provide her with musical therapy in the evenings.

She was a graduate of Boston University with Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Physical Therapy and helped hundreds, if not thousands, of patients achieve a better quality of life through her exceptional and caring physical therapy programs at facilities in Maryland, Virginia, and California. She recently switched careers to follow her passion for numbers, and in her most recent position as a Financial Analyst with the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA), she made an immediate and lasting impact on her team’s efficiency, organization, and ways of working.

Jennifer was an avid sports fan who enjoyed playing many sports and especially loved watching Katie and Amelia participate in their school and community volleyball, cross-country, and track programs. She loved being a Navy wife and relished any opportunity to support and celebrate other military families. In her free time, Jennifer loved traveling with her family and was particularly fond of visiting the National Parks.

Her family would like to thank everyone who supported Jennifer on her cancer journey; she was humbled by and appreciated every good wish, positive thought, prayer, card, and gift she received. They also have special appreciation for the doctors and nurses at the Bon Secours Cancer Institute and Bon Secours Hospice and Palliative Care in Virginia for showing Jennifer such compassionate and loving care throughout her entire treatment program.

Jennifer shared her love and light so freely with all whom she met, without ever asking for or expecting anything in return. If you would like to join Jennifer’s family in honoring her, please consider making a donation in her memory to a charity that is meaningful to you or select one of the charities that was close to Jennifer’s heart - St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital and the Wounded Warrior Project.

The Jenkins King & Malerba Funeral Home, 12 Franklin St. Ansonia, has been privileged with local arrangements. 

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