When most people meet Jenny Boquet, a Vermont native and American Heart Association volunteer, they see someone who is determined, thoughtful and deeply committed to helping others.
This year, that commitment was recognized with the Heart Association’s Heart of Gold Award — an honor that celebrates volunteers whose compassion and dedication make a lasting difference in their communities.
For more than 20 years, Boquet has supported the Heart Association, giving her time, her voice and her heart to the mission. Behind that commitment is a story rooted in love, loss and an unbreakable bond between siblings.
In January 2015, Boquet’s younger brother, Jeremy, died suddenly at just 22 years old from cardiac arrest. He was vibrant, generous and believed deeply in helping others.
“Average wasn’t really in his vocabulary,” said Boquet. “If he was going to do something, he went all in.”
Like his sister, Jeremy volunteered with several organizations, including the Heart Association. His spirit and determination continue to guide Boquet’s work today.
When Boquet found her brother unresponsive, she did not hesitate. She took immediate action, performing CPR until help arrived — doing everything she could to give him a chance.
Most cardiac arrests happen at home, often involving a loved one. In those moments, CPR can help keep oxygen and blood flowing and provide critical time until professional help arrives.
The loss was devastating for Boquet, her family and all who had the pleasure of knowing Jeremy.
In the years since, she has chosen to turn her grief into purpose.
Each year, Boquet and her family volunteer at and walk in the Vermont Heart Walk in Jeremy’s memory. What began as a way to honor his life has become an ongoing commitment to advocacy, fundraising and helping others be prepared in a cardiac emergency. She also volunteers at the Go Red for Women Dinner in Vermont each year, helping raise awareness of heart disease and stroke in women.
“Jeremy wasn’t a statistic,” Boquet said. “He was a son, a brother, a friend — a young man with big dreams and an even bigger heart.”
While grief comes in waves, it has also become a source of determination, fueling Boquet’s commitment to keep volunteering, fundraising and sharing Jeremy’s story.
Through her volunteerism, she is helping to build a future where more people are ready to act when it matters most.
“Jenny represents the very heart of our mission,” said Lindsay Colle, vice president of development for the American Heart Association, Vermont. “She has taken something deeply personal and turned it into action that is helping others feel more prepared and supported. Volunteers like Jenny bring our work to life in communities every day.”
The Heart of Gold Award reflects not only the longevity of Boquet’s service, but the many lives she has touched along the way. Her story is a reminder that behind every mission are real people, and even in the face of loss, it is possible to create hope, inspire action and make a meaningful impact.
If you’d like to learn more about CPR and join our Nation of Lifesavers, visit Heart.org/Nation.