Dr. Jennifer Jane Marler

July 15, 1961 - March 2, 2023

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Thomas McAfee Funeral Homes, Downtown Chapel

639 N Main Street

Greenville, SC 29601

(864) 232-6733 |

Saturday 3/11, 10:30 am

Dr. Jennifer Jane Marler, 61, died peacefully March 2, 2023, surrounded by her family at Prisma Greenville Memorial Hospital under the care of Hospice of the Foothills.

Born July 15, 1961, in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. She was the daughter of Gisela Schwarz Marler and Dr. George Eric Marler.

She was a member of Unitarian Universalist Church.

Jennifer was an accomplished Plastic Surgeon, specializing in pediatric vascular anomalies. She had a brilliant mind, a warm heart, a great sense of humor, and generosity and concern for others. She attended McGill University where she earned her Bachelors of Science; earned her Masters of Science at Yale University in Neuroscience and Neurobiology, and completed medical school at McGill University. Jennifer completed her residency in General and Plastic Surgery at Rhode Island Hospital. She was a Garrett Smith Fellow in the laboratory of Dr. Judah Folkman, and Clinical Surgery Fellow at Vascular Anomalies Center at Boston Children’s Hospital. Dr. Marler served on Faculty, Body Block (Preclinical Anatomy Education) at Harvard Medical School. She was an Assistant Professor of Surgery, Joint Appointment in Biomedical Engineering, and Attending Plastic Surgeon at University of Cincinnati.

Jennifer was one of the three surgeons who operated on Sam Lightner, a 14 year-old boy with a rare facial deformity featured in a series of articles titled, Boy Behind the Mask, written by Tom Hallman, Jr. in the Oregonian 2020, who later received a Pulitzer Prize.

She worked as a freelance photojournalist in Aranyaprathet, Thailand, documenting medical programs administered by the International Rescue Committee on the Thai-Cambodian border, under the umbrella of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Jennifer also worked in Israel, and Madagascar.

Jennifer worked diligently on a nonprofit called “Doctors with Disabilities,” that was never realized due to funding problems.

In December 2017, Jennifer suffered a devastating stroke in Boston leaving her densely paralyzed on the left side of her body and dependent on others to help her. She moved to Greenville, SC, where she lived the remainder of her life near her brother and sister-in law. Despite her physical disabilities she demonstrated an amazing resilience and will to live. She was an inspiration to many.

Dr. Marler is survived by three daughters, Juliana Somers, Anika Somers and Mariel Somers; brother, Dr. Eric D. Marler and his wife Clarice; half-sister Charlotte Marler; “adopted brother” Virakat Nget and his wife Khema; and her three nieces, Ashley, Briana and Caitlyn Marler.

Jennifer will be greatly missed. Her family are much appreciative for the staff at NHC Greenville where Jennifer resided.

A celebration of life service will be held Saturday, March 11, 2023, at 10:30 am Thomas McAfee Funeral Homes, Downtown Chapel.

Family and friends who are unable to attend the service can view the Live Stream by clicking on the “Watch Livestream” button located on the main obituary page.

In lieu of flowers, the family ask donations to made to NAMI, National Alliance on Mental Illness at www.nami.org

Friends are encouraged to leave condolence messages for the family by clicking on the button labeled “Leave A Message, Share A Memory” below.

Thomas McAfee Funeral Homes

Bogi, in the name of Rita

Annie Baker

Anna Brooks

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Richard Hattler

Megan DiPasquale

Peggy Kegel

Heather Niderost

David McNeely

Susie Reynolds

Thomas McAfee Funeral Homes, Downtown Chapel

639 N Main Street

Greenville, SC 29601

(864) 232-6733 | Map

Saturday 3/11, 10:30 am

Dr. Jennifer Jane Marler, 61, died peacefully March 2, 2023, surrounded by her family at Prisma Greenville Memorial Hospital under the care of Hospice of the Foothills. Born July 15, 1961, in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. She was the daughter of Gisela Schwarz Marler and Dr. George Eric Marler. She was a member of Unitarian UniversalistContinue Reading

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So sad to hear about the passing of this incredibly beautiful person. We a have demons, some more than others. I loved this woman.

In memory of Dr. Jennifer Jane Marler, Bogi, in the name of Rita lit a candle

My heart is heavy. I first met Jen not long before her wedding, where I had the honor of being the best man. She was so nervous that she spilled a glass of red wine on herself, but she remained friendly and full of energy for as long as I have known her. Jules, Ani and Ellie... my heart goes out to you. Namaste

Sending all the love and good vibes to you and your family, Ellie❤️ She was an amazing woman!!

Worked with Jen at Cincinnati Children's. Very kind. Intelligent. Thoughtful. So sorry to hear of her passing.

Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.

In memory of Dr. Jennifer Jane Marler, Anna Brooks lit a candle

So sorry for your loss. I‘ve always remembered fondly the passion for art and creativity that your mother shared with us. My condolences to you and your family.

Dear Gisela, I am so sorry to hear this sad news. I hope that knowing you were a wonderful mother to your talented and courageous daughter Jennifer and that she loved you will help you through this very sad time. We hope to see you when you return home. Jennifer Winn

In memory of Dr. Jennifer Jane Marler, Richard Hattler lit a candle

Thinking of you girls. Love you

Rest in peace Jennifer I light this candle in remembrance of you

peggykegel@gmail.com I want to say I'm so sorry to hear about Jennifer's passing me and her used to have lots of fun when I took care of her she was a very outgoing person even though she had The strokes she was very outgoing I will miss her and her family they were such a sweet and caring family for her

Dear Gisela, Adrian and I send you and your family our deepest sympathy at the passing of your precious daughter Jennifer. Our arms are around you. Love, Heather

Dear Eric and family, I am so sorry to hear the news about Jennifer. Please know i'm thinking of you and your family. May her memory be a blessing. Regards, Mitchell

In memory of Dr. Jennifer Jane Marler, David McNeely lit a candle

I was a classmate of Jennifer's at McGill Medical School. She was kind, brilliant, creative and fun. I was always in a bit of awe at how amazing and cool she was. She wore hot pink high top sneakers with aplomb. She had a graduate degree from Yale. She had been living at the Thai-Cambodian border. She came to class with a full set of colored pencils and did these incredible sketches of the lecture subject. We had a class-wide mutual Note Taking Club. Jennifer's notes were always the most prized as she included her sketches and helped us all learn more to become better doctors. I have no doubt that she transformed the lives of many children during the years that she practiced. When we reconnected at our 25th med school reunion, I was saddened to learn that her career had been cut short in such a cruel twist of fate. I know that she would have had the capacity to help so many more children with her technical skills and her kind heart. I am writing this partly because I wanted her daughters to have a sense of what their mother was like when she was in her 20s and around their age. She was a very special soul. I am so sorry for your loss. RIP Jennifer.

Liebe Gisela... Meine Gedanken sind bei Dir und Deiner Familie während Euerm schweren Leid... Mein herzlichstes Beileid verbunden mit Kraft und Hoffnung auf ein Wiedersehen in einem andern Leben - einem viel besseren. Viele Grüße von Bärbel einschließlich Dagmar.

I met Jennifer at Greenville Unitarian Universalist Fellowship when she first attended there. We shared our experiences as stroke survivors, talked on the phone and later I visited her at home as part of the pastoral care committee at the fellowship. I found her to be friendly and an interesting conversationalist.

I met Jennifer at the Greenville Unitarian Universalist Fellowship when she first attended there. We shared our experiences being stroke survivors and later spoke on the phone often. I found her to be friendly and an interesting conversationalist. She will surely be missed.

My deepest sympathies, dear Gisela, to you and your family. Such a senseless loss of someone who had so much to give to humanity.

Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.

My name is Sabrina. I first met Jen thru the UU church, about 4 years ago. I was immediately intrigued by her breadth of knowledge and fascinating experiences. It didn’t take many visits tho to realize that Jen had a huge heart too. She and I would talk about things that were wildly silly, the sea slug for example, to the deeply profound. I never ever saw her angry or heard her lament. That last week, she still expressed dreams and plans. When Clarice texted that she was in ICU, I immediately went to see Jen. Her nurse was there adjusting tubing as I leaned in to say, “I love ya, Jen!” I do realize that it was improbable, however I truly believe she said, “I love you too!” Brilliant & accomplished, yet humble, she was a huge gift to the world and I’m honored to say that she was my friend.

Dear Gisela, I am so sorry to hear about Jennifer. My thoughts are with you and your family.

Dear Gisela, Eric and Jenni's loved ones I have not met, I am so sorry for your loss. I loved Jenni from the moment I met her. She cared for those who needed compassion. She cared for me. I miss her. Steve

In memory of Dr. Jennifer Jane Marler, Kelly Allison lit a candle

Dear Eric, I have often wondered how you were and think fondly of those halcyon days in High School and at The Palliative Care unit at The Royal Vic in Montreal. I'm so sorry to hear about your sister. I had the pleasure of meeting her a couple of times while at University and even sub-leased an apt from her (thanks to your connection). My sincerest condolences and God's Peace upon you and The Marler Family, Chris (Fitzgerald)

My deepest condolences. All the best to Jennifer and her family. Love and blessings, Barbara

Dear Gisela. I am deeply saddened at the news of your loss. I know that this has been a challenging journey for both you and Jennifer. You are in my thoughts during this difficult time. Be gentle with yourself.

Gisela, you are very much in our thoughts. Jennifer accomplished so much in her professional career, she will be widely remembered with respect and affection. Know that your many friends are with you in your sadness.

I had the great pleasure of teaching Jennifer Math and Physics at Trafalgar School in Montreal from 1976 to 1978. She was one of those brilliant students a teacher dreams about and never forgets. I am so proud of Jennifer’s achievements later on, in the medical field, in various parts of the world! My sincere condolences to her family. So sorry for your loss.

I extend my most heartfelt and deepest sympathies at this time of loss to Jules, Ani, Ellie, Eric, Candice, and all members of Jen's family, including her nieces and mother. I remember Jen's laughter and generosity of joy in sharing good times with her friends and family, her intellect, and her creativity in many forms. I am also grateful that the suffering she endured during all the years since her stroke has finally come to an end. Rest in peace, friend!

With my admiration and respect for all Jennifer’s contributions to make this world a kinder and healthier place for her family, her friends and the global community as well. She has left us all too soon but leaves behind our memories of her many accomplishments. With my love, Deirdre

Jennifer Marler and I were second cousins, sharing a great-grandfather in William de Montmollin Marler and brothers, Herbert and George, as our respective grandfathers. Jennifer was the inspiration for my 2020 family Christmas letter, when she wrote to me on December 7, 2020: “Jonathan…how are we related to the Norths? Was Adelaide your aunt? Any info appreciated…be well, Jen.” Five days later, and before I had replied, I received a second message: “Any information on Adelaide would be appreciated. My father is asking me relentlessly. What is your phone number?” Knowing Jen’s father, as I do, I understood exactly what she meant by her father’s relentlessness, and I immediately responded in the form of a Christmas letter, in which I acknowledged Jen’s contribution, as follows: “For this Christmas, I decided to write about a family, many of whose members I have met, namely, the Norths. The kernel of this particular idea, as with many others on this subject, came indirectly from my cousin, Eric Marler, M.D., author of "The Marler Family in Quebec", when I received a Linkedin message from his daughter, Jennifer J. Marler, M.D., asking “How are we related to the Norths?” Last night, I spoke by telephone with Jen’s father, her brother, and her mother, Gisela, whom I came to know well, following her participation in our Celebration of Life for my brother, Bryan, at Montreal’s Christ Church Cathedral, in 2018. It is with great regret that I will not be able to attend Jen’s funeral on this coming Saturday and, with even greater regret, that I did not meet her during her all too short, but extraordinarily accomplished, life. My heart and my mind will be with her this weekend, and beyond, as I consider the many joys I have experienced in getting to know my Marler, North and other cousins, particularly, since my brother’s equally untimely death, in 2017. I will pray for Jen this Sunday, both in words and in music, when I sing Tchaikovsky’s beautiful setting of Richard Henry Stoddard’s poem "Roses and Thorns", known in its musical form as "The Crown of Roses".

Liebe Gisela! Unsere Herzliches Beileid Wir sind in Gedanken bei Dir. Our condolences to all the family. Inge & Dieter

MEINE LIEBE GISELA.., VON GANZEM HERZEN, MÖCHTE ICH DIR UND DEINER FAMILIE MEIN BEILEID AUSSPRECHEN. LEIDER HABE ICH DEINE NEUE ADRESSE UND TELEFONNUMMER NICHT UND MIR BLEIBT NUR DIESER WEG,..., BEI DIR ZU SEIN ! ICH WÜNCHE DIR UND DEINER FAMILIE VIEL KRAFT UND NEHME DICH NUN AUS DER FERNE, MIT VIELEN LIEBEN GEDANKEN IN MEINEM ARM....DEINE GABY AUS BERLIN....!

Dear Gisela, We send our deepest sympathy to all your family with the passing of your beloved daughter Jennifer. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. May Jennifer Rest In Peace forever with beautiful memories of your lives shared together. Love, Gerry and Elizabeth

Dear Gisela,Sending you my condolence and love at this sad time.Such a brilliant woman,I know you are so proud of her and all she accomplished in her relatively short life. Love Penny

Gisela, We are so sorry for your loss. I know it has been a long and difficult journey for Jennifer and for you and Eric and family. Know that we are both sending you our heartfelt sympathies. We hope you will find some peace. Dolores and Louise

My deepest sympathies for your family’s loss. Jen was a remarkable and incredibly kind woman; memories of our friendship will remain in my heart forever. Sabrina

In memory of Dr. Jennifer Jane Marler, Sabrina Walker lit a candle

We are sending wishes for peace to all the Marler family and to Jules, Ani and Eli. Jennifer was a unique wonderful person who will be missed so very much. Love Cindy and Alvaro

Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.

We are saddened to hear this news and sending our condolences to the entire family

Gisela, Eric and family, our sincere condolences.

I feel lucky to have been a part of Jennifer’s health care team. Her life, her accomplishments and how she faced challenges deserve to be celebrated. My thoughts and prayers are with all of her family and friends. May we all keep our good memories of Jennifer close.

In memory of Dr. Jennifer Jane Marler, Linda J Bridges lit a candle

Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.