Jennifer Lee Fernandez Willmore (48), a lifelong resident of Rock Springs, Wyoming, passed away peacefully surrounded by family after courageously battling cancer for 3 1/2 years. She lived a life marked by deep love, unwavering faith, and an incredible ability to make everyone around her feel cared for.
Jen was born on August 20, 1977, and was raised in Rock Springs, where she graduated from Rock Springs High School in 1995. She also called Green River home for two years, from 2008 to 2010, before returning to the community she loved.
Jen dedicated her working life to serving others. She worked for SWRC, Best Home Health, and most recently, Sweetwater County School District #1. She took great pride in her work and in the people she had the opportunity to serve throughout the years.
But perhaps the greatest privilege of Jen’s life was being a mother. She was blessed with two children, Avalon, 30, and Brady, 26, and being their mom was one of the things she was most proud of. She was an incredible mother-loving, devoted, protective, encouraging, and always there when her children needed her. She loved her children with everything she had and poured her whole heart into being the best mom she could be. Her children were not only her greatest blessings, but a beautiful reflection of the love she gave so freely throughout her life.
And then came the joy of being a grandma.
Out of all the roles she held in her life, none meant more to her than being a grandma. Jen was the most amazing grandma honey, and her grandbabies were her whole life. She loved them with her entire heart and treasured every moment she was given with them. Her family meant everything to her, and she cared deeply for so many people beyond her own family as well.
Jen came from a family that was important to her. She was preceded in death by her sister, Jamie, and is survived by her brother, Steven. The bonds of family meant so much to Jen, and she carried that love with her throughout her life. Jen was also a deeply loving daughter to her parents, Joe and Frances. She loved them dearly and was a wonderful daughter who cared for them, stood by them, and cherished the bond they shared. Her love for her parents was evident in the way she showed up for them and held her family close to her heart.
She married the love of her life, Mike Willmore, on March 22, 2025. They married without hesitation even knowing that cancer was a part of her life. She loved him, immensely.
Jen found happiness in the little things that made life beautiful. She loved concerts, golfing, camping, leaf blowing, reading, cloud watching, playing dice, horseshoes, shuffleboard, and cornhole. She loved watching football and was a Broncos fan! She loved her church family and taking time with God in the Bible. She loved laughter, time spent together, and making memories. Most of all, Jen loved hugs. She gave them freely and often, and her hugs had a way of making people feel safe, loved, and at home.
Above all, Jen loved her family and Jesus. Her faith was strong and deeply rooted, and it carried her through every season of her life. She trusted in the Lord and held tightly to the promise that this life is not the end.
Jen leaves behind a legacy of love. A legacy found in the hearts of her children and grandchildren, in the people she cared for, in the work she was proud to do, in the countless hugs she gave, and in every life she touched.
Her life has been a beautiful testament to what it means to love deeply, give freely, have faith, and leave people better simply because you were here.
Survivors include husband, Mike Willmore; parents, Frances and Joe Fernandez; one son, Brady Arnoldi; one daughter, Avalon Arnoldi-Willmore and her spouse Sean; one brother, Steven Fernandez; four grandchildren, Gannon; Nixon; Rhen; Haelyn; four nieces, Corrina and husband Skyler Searle; Faith Wisniewski and husband Joe; Nicole Fernandez and fiancé Jesse Rizzi; Olivia Atherton; two nephews, Noah Atherton; Joey Atherton; one sister-in-law, Shawna Willmore; several aunts; uncles; cousins; nieces; nephews; and extended family and friends.
She is preceded by paternal grandparents, Emilio and Corina Fernandez; maternal grandparents, Rufino “Lee” and Rosenda Vigil; one sister, Jamie Atherton; one grandson, Landyn Willmore; one sister-in-law, Lanette Fernandez and her father and mother-in law, Mike and Pam Willmore.
The family respectfully requests donations be made in Jen’s memory to Hospice of Sweetwater County, 333 Broadway Street, Suite 220, Rock Springs, Wyoming 82901.
Cremation will take place; a celebration of life will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Monday, September 7, 2026 at the Sweetwater Events Complex, 3320 Yellowstone Road, Rock Springs Wyoming.
Please wear bright colors or your favorite concert shirt to the services.
Though her family had to say goodbye to her earthly presence, her love will never leave them. She will live on in every hug, every laugh, every memory, every cloud watched from the sky, and in the hearts of everyone blessed enough to know her.
