Family and friends gather at funeral service for fallen P.E.I. paramedic

A few weeks ago, Robin Croucher told his wife he needed to start thinking about the speech he would give at his daughter’s wedding. “I could never have imagined I’d be here today delivering her eulogy,” he said. “No parent should ever be faced with writing their child’s eulogy.” Robin shared those words Friday as [...]

A few weeks ago, Robin Croucher told his wife he needed to start thinking about the speech he would give at his daughter’s wedding. “I could never have imagined I’d be here today delivering her eulogy,” he said. “No parent should ever be faced with writing their child’s eulogy.”

Robin shared those words Friday as family, friends, co-workers and first responders gathered to celebrate the life of 23-year-old paramedic Jenna Croucher, who was killed July 7 when the ambulance she was travelling in collided with a transport truck near Melrose, N.B. Croucher’s colleague, Mike MacKenzie, and their patient, Anne Martell, also died in the crash. Croucher’s service The service opened with prayer and music before loved ones shared memories of Jenna, describing her as fiercely independent, deeply compassionate and someone who devoted herself to caring for others.

Her father reflected on Jenna’s childhood, recalling that she arrived three weeks early and “was doing it her way” from the very beginning. He said that determination never left her. “She defended the weak and the vulnerable, and she did that without hesitation,” he said.

Her father, who has also worked as a paramedic and is now P.E.I.’s education minister, said those qualities made paramedicine a natural choice for the young woman. “She was made for this job.” Robin Croucher also shared memories about Jenna’s excitement as she planned her wedding to her fiancé, Morgan, which was scheduled for September, and the gratitude she carried through everyday life.

After her death, Robin said he looked through her day planner and found page after page listing things she was thankful for, including family, Morgan, sunsets, music and simple moments. Her childhood friend Jalyn Chapman, who was to be one of Jenna’s bridesmaids, remembered their friendship that began in kindergarten and lasted, even after her family moved to Nova Scotia. “If you mattered to Jenna, she made the effort.

Every. Single. Time,” Chapman said.

She described Jenna as someone who remembered the small details of people’s lives and had an uncommon ability to make everyone feel welcome. “She made people feel important because, to her, they were,” she said. Fellow paramedic Priscilla Currie said Jenna quickly became more than a co-worker after first meeting her as a Holland College paramedic student.

“She had a way of making people feel seen, feel heard and feel safe,” Priscilla said. “Our patients knew they were in good hands, and they truly were.” Robin ended his eulogy by reading a message printed on bookmarks distributed in Jenna’s memory, encouraging people to smile often, say “I love you,” help those in need and find joy in life’s simple moments.

“When you find yourself at a crossroads, or are faced with a difficult decision,” the message read, “ask yourself, ‘What would Jenna do?’” A regimental funeral procession followed the service. More to come.