“A true trailblazer”: The travel industry remembers Jennifer “Jen” Langlois

The travel industry has lost a trailblazing individual who was known for her kindness, determination and commitment to planning the best vacations for her clients.

Jennifer “Jen” Langlois, owner of Suite Trip Travel based in Thorold, ON, sadly passed away on Monday (May 27) after a courageous battle with cancer. She was 38.

According to an obituary posted online, Langlois, who was born on July 29, 1985, passed away peacefully with her family by her side.

She leaves behind her beloved husband of six years, Nick Langlois, who was not only her spouse, “but her best friend and soul mate,” the tribute reads.

She was the devoted mother of Maddie and Logan Langlois “who were her entire world.” Cherished daughter of (the late) Jim and Michelle Jackson and dear daughter-in-law of Gil and Judy Langlois. Loving sister to Krystal (Dave Dunstan) Jackson and Kevin (Terrielyn) Jackson.

She will also be missed by her sister and brother in law Chris (Jen) Langlois.

The travel industry remembers

Langlois was a long-time travel advisor whose passion for travel was evident in her work – “as she tirelessly planned and booked countless trips, building a strong and supportive travel community,” as her obituary reads. 

Her love for travel took her all around the world, with trips to Disney holding special memories. Jamaica was her favorite destination.

The travel industry is in mourning as advisors reflect on the loss of their friend and colleague.  

“I am heartbroken,” said Alberta-based travel advisor Jaime Murphy of Magical Trips Inc. “She exemplified strength and grace in every moment she fought, especially with the realization that she was going to have to leave her precious family here on earth.”

When she became aware of her friend’s challenging condition, Murphy, who first met Langlois eight years ago, launched a GoFundMe fundraiser to help support her friend as she underwent treatment – and to provide financial relief to the family.

As of Wednesday morning (May 29), almost $75,900 has been raised.

“Jen was a beacon of light and dedication in the travel industry, a true trailblazer, admired for her unwavering commitment and tireless efforts to plan the absolute best vacations for her clients,” Murphy said. “She inspired life’s most precious travel memories for so many and her legacy will forever inspire those who knew her. Her loss leaves a void that words cannot express…Life can be so cruel, Jen was a true superstar in our industry." 

"I am going to miss my best friend and those poor babies have to grow up without their beautiful mother." 

Murphy added that she will “cherish the countless memories we shared.”

“From our daily chats to our travels around the world, I will miss our conversations, our laughter, and the sense of camaraderie that only she could bring,” she said. “Jen said it best to me [last] Thursday evening – ‘we truly have many great memories.’”

Trevello pays tribute  

Langlois was part of the Trevello family. In an email to PAX, Zeina Gedeon, president and CEO of Trevello Travel Group, called the news of Langlois' passing “devastating.”

“Jen is a valued member of our family and one of the most accomplished,” Gedeon wrote.  “She has been a pillar in our organization and we are saddened by her passing. Our hearts go out to her husband and kids. We are all here to support during this difficult time.”

“Trevello has lost a daughter, sister and friend, and we pray that she is now in a much better place.”

Langlois leaves behind a successful travel business. She consistently made Trevello’s Chairman's Circle group and often joined her colleagues on rewards trips.

“I have great respect for her as a colleague and of her accomplishments. It is incredibly sad,” said St. John’s, Newfoundland-based travel advisor Lois Barbour of Travel Time Agency. “Jen will be missed in her travel advisor role for her clients, but it is especially hard to also imagine her young kids without their Mom, and Nick without his wife and soulmate.”

Barbour travelled with Langlois on those Chairman’s trips. “She was known for her grit, determination and forthrightness,” Barbour said. “She knew how to get things done. She was always part of the Chairman's Circle group, the highest performing travel agents in Trevello.”

Loss of an icon

Karen Gill, owner of St. Catharines, ON-based Plan A Vacation, told PAX that our “industry has lost an icon.”

Back in the day, Gill was Langlois’ first-ever manager when she worked at Lakeview Travel. “I observed her selling at the highest capacity that anyone could only hope to achieve,” Gill recalls. 

Eventually, Gill, recognizing true talent, suggested that Langlois go into business for herself.

“There were some unforeseen changes, and I sat with Jen and said: ‘You are beyond talented. You need to work for yourself. You have what it takes. Just take the jump,’” Gill said. “She was like a little sister to me.”

And Langlois did just that. “It was a proud day for me to be at the ribbon cutting of Suite Trip Travel,” said Gill, who, over the years, continued to travel with Langlois on FAM trips.

“She never looked back. She shone and became an entrepreneur I looked up to,” she said. “While I don’t feel like working at all today, all I can hear is her telling me to stop crying and go close the sale.”

Celebration of Life

The Langlois family is thanking Hospice Niagara for handling the situation with attentiveness and compassion.

A Celebration of Life will take place at Pleasantview Funeral Home (2000 Merrittville Highway, on the corner of Highway 20) on Friday, May 31, 2024 from 11-1 p.m EST.

In lieu of flowers, donations made to Maddie and Logan's trust fund would be greatly appreciated by the family. There will also be a donation box at the Celebration of Life to place kind donations.   

Friends and colleagues are invited to share their condolences, memories and photos online at www.pleasantviewcemetery.ca.

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