Moffatt was young advocate

Jennifer Elizabeth Moffatt not only was the 2017 Miss Amazing Teen Queen for Minnesota, she also advocated for people with disabilities and emergency services in in her home community of Edina. Moffatt, 20, died on Thanksgiving.

Moffatt won the title in April and represented Minnesota at the national competition. She was part of the theater
group for students with disabilities, Theater for All at Edina High School. Theater for All participated in the 2016 International Thespian Festival in Lincoln, Nebraska and was the only inclusive program to participate.

She was also active with Special Olympics of Minnesota and Circle of Friends at Mount Olivet Church, Minneapolis. Pageant organizers remember her for her vivacious spirit.

Moffatt is survived by her parents,  Daniel and Debra and her six siblings, Odysseas, Marianna, her triplet brothers, Patrick and Daniel, Megan and Brian.

Services have been held.

 

Poole was part of care shift

Frederick Winston Leuchovis Poole is remembered as a member of activist family who worked to provide better home-care and community inclusion for people with disabilities. Poole, 33, died in October at his St. Paul home.

Poole, his family, caregivers and medical providers worked to make home care and inclusion a viable option for people with significant disabilities. Poole enjoyed a full life and was remembered as an ardent patriot, fan of audiobooks, and lover of dogs and music. He had an independent nature. He attended St. Paul Public Schools.

His mother Deborah Leuchovis works at PACER Center and has published works about the Americans with Disabilities Act and community inclusion. She is a longtime disability rights advocate. He is also survived by his father James Poole and many friends. A memorial service was held in November in Edina.

 

Longtime volunteer is remembered

Willmar resident Jennifer Loehr was a valued volunteer for disability organizations and is remembered as being independent and courageous. Loehr, 54, died in September at Bethesda Grand in Willmar.

At birth Loehr weighed only two pounds. She worked hard during her childhood to overcome the physical limitations of cerebral palsy with therapy, swimming and biking. She graduated from Faribault High School in 1984. Loehr attended Southwest State University in Marshall, earning a degree in social work. She spent many hours volunteering at Courage Center in Golden Valley, Good Samaritan United Methodist Church in Edina and Bethesda Heritage in Willmar. She was an avid sports fan, cheering on the Willmar Cardinals, Minnesota Twins, and Minnesota Vikings.

For the past 12 years she lived at Bethesda Heritage and Bethesda Grand.