Jenny Cavalier-Rodriguez of Cottage Grove, Minnesota, passed away, leaving behind a legacy of love, strength, and unmatched energy that deeply touched every life she encountered.
A passionate fitness instructor at Sila Wellness and gymnastics coach at Park High School—her alma mater—Jenny was more than her roles; she was a light that shone brightly in every room she entered, and a force that lifted up everyone around her.
Born and raised in Cottage Grove, Jenny spent her entire life giving back to the community that shaped her. She attended Park High School, later returning not just as a mentor and coach, but as an inspiration to students who saw in her a model of discipline, heart, and fierce compassion.
Her roots in Cottage Grove were strong, and she made it her mission to help others grow from those same roots. Jenny brought unmatched energy to her work at Sila Wellness, where she became more than a fitness instructor—she became a friend, a cheerleader, a motivator, and for many, a lifeline.
She had a unique ability to meet people exactly where they were, both physically and emotionally, and to gently—but firmly—push them toward their best selves. With a sharp wit, contagious laughter, and language as colorful as her personality, Jenny brought joy even to the most grueling workouts.
She was the kind of person who could challenge you, uplift you, and make you laugh all at the same time. Behind her strength was a deep, often unseen battle. Jenny was honest about her struggles, sharing them not for attention, but to remind others they weren’t alone.
Even while carrying the weight of her own pain, she showed up. Day after day. Smiling, coaching, encouraging. She gave so much of herself to others—far more than most ever realized.
Jenny was the devoted wife to her loving husband and the proud mother of four beautiful children. Her family was her world, and everything she did was grounded in her love for them. Her home was filled with laughter, warmth, and a fierce, protective love that mirrored the way she lived her life.
Those who knew Jenny will never forget her. She was authentic to the core—funny, wise, loud when she wanted to be, quiet when it mattered, and deeply loyal. Her ability to be real in a world full of facades made her truly one of a kind.
The loss of Jenny leaves a void that cannot be filled. She was the heartbeat of her fitness community, the soul of her gym family, and the fire behind countless personal transformations. Her presence was a gift; her absence is a wound.
As we mourn, we also remember: Jenny is now at peace—in body, mind, and spirit—in the arms of God. She fought hard, gave everything, and still showed up for others until the very end. That’s the kind of person she was.
Let us honor her memory by showing up for each other, by speaking honestly, by laughing loud, and by living with the passion and purpose that Jenny embodied every single day.
She was one of a kind. And she will be missed, deeply and forever.
