Jody Lynn (Howard) Girouard passed away peacefully at her home in Plymouth, NH, surrounded by her family, on August 8, 2024, at the age of 51. Born on January 5, 1973, in North Conway, NH, Jody spent her early years in Conway before moving to the Rochester area, where she grew up with her large, loving family.

Jody was a kind and quiet soul with a deep passion for music. Her dedication to her studies earned her the distinction of graduating 3rd in her Spaulding High School class, and she left a lasting impression on her teachers, who fondly remembered her years later when they taught one of her sisters.

Jody pursued her love for music at Plymouth State College, earning degrees in Music Education and Applied Computer Science, graduating Summa Cum Laude. Although she began her career as a music teacher and private flute instructor, she later became a Software Engineer, excelling in the specialized fields of low-level kernel debugging and reverse engineering.

On August 17, 1996, Jody married John Girouard. Together, they built a life rich with shared experiences, from camping trips with friends and family to hosting an annual harvest party where they made homemade cider from their native apple trees. Jody was a devoted mother to their two children, Ethan (20) and Ainsley (17), and took great pride in supporting their endeavors, whether attending Ethan’s piano recitals or traveling with Ainsley to gymnastics meets.

Jody’s love for music was evident in the songs she created with her sister, often during simple moments like washing dishes. She also had a deep appreciation for the outdoors, enjoying bike rides, running, and summer swims, tending to her flower and vegetable gardens, and expressing her creativity through quilting, knitting, crocheting, and counted cross-stitch.

Jody faced the challenges of living with stage IV breast cancer with remarkable grace and strength. She is survived by her husband, John Robert Girouard; their children, Ethan Thomas Girouard and Ainsley Lynn Girouard; her father, Richard Howard; and her sisters, Lisa Howard, Sara Howard, and Kelly (Howard) Smith. She was predeceased by her mother, Lois (Aldridge) Howard.

A celebration of Jody’s life will be held at Starr King Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Plymouth, NH, on Saturday, August 17, 2024, at 3:00 pm, with doors opening at 2:00 pm. Friends and family are invited to gather and share memories, with light refreshments to follow.  For more information go to:  Dupuisfuneralhome.com.