Jessica Nicole Black

Jessica Nicole (Henricksen) Black November 9, 1986 - August 8, 2024 Jessica Black lost her valiant battle against colon cancer at the home she loved on August 8, 2024. She was 37 years old. Born in Salem, Oregon, Jessica was the first child to Jon and Shelly Henricksen, followed by Cody and Cori. Jess grew up in Oregon City. Jessica graduated from Oregon City High School and earned a Bachelor’s degree from Portland State University. She enjoyed teaching young children tumbling and gymnastics, and spent her free time watercolor painting, jewelry making, knitting, and spending time with family and friends. She had a million hobbies and went all-in on each and every one. That’s just who she was. Jessica married her high school sweetheart, David Black, in 2011, and settled in Oregon City near family and friends. The couple have two children, Lyla and Max. Jess thrived on family life and spending time outdoors, becoming an avid runner, hiker, and camper, taking advantage of every opportunity to be outside. Her favorite summer vacations were spent camping with her children and father-in-law, Lynn Black. She loved hiking with David, and running with best friend Stephanie VanBeever. Jess was remarkably strong and brave in the face of stage-4 colon cancer. Each time bad news came, she took a breath, set her shoulders and then plowed ahead. Her most frequent companions during chemotherapy were David and her mother-in-law Maren Black. She and Maren played countless games of cards. Maren once joked to a newbie in chemo that she let Jess win because she had cancer; the other patient was horrified, which sent Jess into peals of laughter. The nurses loved her. She was such a sunny, positive force. Jess was effervescent, full of color and light. Jessica is survived by husband David Black and children Lyla (10) and Max (8). She is also survived by father Jon Henricksen, mother Shelly Henricksen and siblings Cody, Cori, and Cali, as well as grandparents Wes and Judy Hutto, step-mother Chris Martin and step-siblings Bradley, Mason, and Karly Martin. She will be missed by in-laws Lynn, Maren, and Avery Black, whose lives were interwoven with hers for more than 20 years. A Celebration of Life will be held Sunday, September 1, 2024, at the Pioneer Community Center, 615 5th Street, Oregon City, from 2-4 p.m.