Jennifer "Jen" Diehl (Martin) Reese (50), beloved daughter, sister, aunt, teacher, fur-mama, and friend, born February 11, 1975, in Petersburg, VA, went to her eternal home with the Lord on March 10, 2025, at her residence in Suffolk, VA. A native of Colonial Heights, VA, she is the eldest Daughter of Gary Diehl and Alice Elder Martin.

Jen was a graduate of Colonial Heights High school in 1993 and went on to obtain a Bachelor of Science Degree from Longwood College in 1997. After graduating, she began her career in teaching at Carter Woodson Middle School in Hopewell, VA and later taught in Dinwiddie County, VA. Wanting to do more to serve her community, she decided to pursue a career in public safety.

Jen's love and passion for Fire and EMS developed at an early age when she would visit the firehouse in Colonial Heights with her dad, where he volunteered as a firefighter. She devoted many years to Dinwiddie County at Company 1fire station here she earned her Fire Instructor certifications and Paramedic credentials. She went on to serve with Richmond Ambulance Authority in Richmond, VA. During her tenure with Richmond, she completed her Critical Care Paramedic, served as an instructor, and reached the rank of Lieutenant. Deciding she wanted to return to her roots of teaching, she made the brave decision to move to Blue Springs, Missouri where she worked as the Assistant Director of EMS education for Central County. Her journey for career excellence later led her to Gaffney, SC where she opened a brand-new station for Cherokee County, while serving as the Assistant Director of EMS. Later, Jen's path brought her home to Virginia, where she landed at ECPI, Newport News campus, as the Director of EMS. She also completed her master's degree in public administration with a concentration in Emergency Services Management in June 2022, from Columbia Southern University.

Jen was preceded in death by her paternal grandfather Oliver James Martin, Sr., her maternal grandfather Clarence W. Elder, Jr. (Sarah) and maternal grandmother Edith Hogan (Robert). She is survived by her father and mother, Gary and Alice Martin, paternal grandmother Frances Emory Martin,her sister Ashlea E. Martin, niece Kaycie Dixon, and nephew, Wyatt Dixon, numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins, and many special friends, to include her nearest and dearest, Shannon Daniel, Laura Cody, Lara Fetty, and Stacey Lewis. She also leaves behind her pride and joy, her fur babies, Luna, Neiko, Mahogany, Cyrus and her cat CJ. Jennifer loved her babies with her whole being.

A celebration of life will be held April 12th, at 1pm, at Oaklawn Baptist Church, 7925 Hickory Road, Chesterfield, Virginia 23803. Cremation services provided by Parr Funeral Home and Crematory in Suffolk, Virginia.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Jennifer's name to and animal rescue or shelter of your choice.

The family will receive friends and visitors in the fellowship hall of the church at the conclusion of the service.