Jessica Straw Lockwood

Jessica Lockwood was born on March 17, 1977, in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Jessica died unexpectedly on March 21, 2024, in Eugene, Oregon. She shared her St. Patrick’s Day birthday with her father.

Jessica grew up in southwest Michigan and graduated from Three Rivers High School in 1995. Jessica was a talented musician and received a music scholarship to Cottey College in Nevada, Missouri. She attended Cottey for 2 years and then Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo.

While at Cottey, Jessica became friends with fellow students from the Pacific Northwest. She was intrigued by the stories she heard and wanted to experience the woods, the rain, and emerald green for herself. She moved to Eugene in the Fall of 1998 and made her home there.

Jessica had an affinity for helping others. While in high school, she volunteered as a teacher’s aide in a classroom for disabled children. Her love of helping others carried over to Eugene, where, over the years, she held a number of healthcare positions.

In Eugene, Jessica touched hundreds of lives with her beautiful smile and genuine desire to help. She made good friends and started a family. She felt Eugene was a community that represented her values and often participated in activism in support of women and LGBTQ causes. She took pride in passing her values on to her daughter. She loved the earth, she loved humanity and she tried to live by rule of above all, harming none.

Jessica is survived by her daughter, Jade Polhamus of Eugene, OR; her parents Doug and Karen Lockwood of Kalamazoo, MI; her brother Phil Lockwood of Goshen, IN; nephews Derek and Damion Lockwood and niece Brea Lockwood of Goshen, IN; grandfather Tom Straw of Las Vegas, NV; aunts Teresa Ely of Pottstown, PA, and Elizabeth Loros of Las Vegas, NV; as well as several cousins. Jessica is also survived by her Oregon family: Dave, Judy, and Scott Polhamus.

A scattering of ashes has taken place in North Bend, OR. A gathering of friends and family in Eugene will be held at a later date. A memorial service will also be held at a later date in Kalamazoo. Memorials may be donated to the cause or charity of choice.