Jessica Lynn Dustin Pettrey, 26, died Friday, August 28, 2009, surrounded by family, at the Vermont Respite House in Williston following a courageous battle with cancer.

She was born in El Paso, Texas on June 2, 1983, the daughter of Jerry & Lisa (Dustin) Pettrey. She is a graduate of Northfield High School, class of 2001. She later attended Eastern New Mexico State University and Community College of Vermont.

She worked as a waitress in Clovis, New Mexico, until she returned to Vermont, where she worked for the State of Vermont Department of Children & Families, Health Access Eligibility Unit in Waterbury.

She was a member of the United Methodist Church and Sorrell Maynard Post American Legion Auxiliary, both of Northfield.

She was passionate about animals, horseback riding, and visiting zoos and aquariums.

Jessica enjoyed a day of shopping, avidly followed the Red Sox, and most of all, she cherished doting on and spending time with her son, Logan.

Survivors include her son, Logan Martin of Northfield; her father, Jerry "Mike" Pettrey and his wife, Johanna of Clovis, New Mexico; her mother, Lisa Pettrey Gill and her husband, John of Williston; her sister, Krista Pettrey of Williston; her paternal grandparents, Jerry D. Pettrey of Salem, VA & Nancy Connor of Christiansburg, VA; maternal grandparents, Lewis "Dusty" & Betty (Dickinson) Dustin of Northfield; several aunts, uncles and cousins.

There are no calling hours. Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday, September 2nd at 1 p.m. at the United Methodist Church of Northfield, followed by burial in Mount Hope Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to the Vermont Respite House, 99 Allen Brook Lane, Williston, VT 05495 or Central VT Humane Society, PO Box 687, Montpelier, VT 05601- 0687.

Kingston Funeral Home in Northfield is in charge of the arrangements.