Mark Jenison, MD passed away March 20th from Parkinson’s Disease. He has fought his disease for years now and until recently he has held his own. Parkinson’s forced Mark to retire from his Dermatology practice in 2020, where he practiced for almost 28 years maintaining a 99% patient approval rating! He adored his patients.

Mark and I had a beautiful life and marriage. He lived life on his own terms but all the while always thinking of others, especially his children. Mark leaves a son Graham and his 10 year old daughter Lucia behind. Graham was from a previous relationship. Mark and I have two daughters, Alex and Lauren. Both are married living in California. Alex our oldest is married to Trevor and they have two adorable little girls, Blaire who is 4 and Chloe who just turned one. Lauren was married this past November to Josh and they have our grand dog, Teddy the Corgi with plans of children soon.

What a dream to travel with a band as a bass player for almost a decade after college playing music he loved and then changing gears and going to medical school at his beloved UNC- Chapel. We had Alex during med school and Lauren during his residency. Both were at UNC where he turned me into a Tarheel basketball fan. Mark was a faithful fan of the Tarheels and we all loved basketball season.

Mark enjoyed waterskiing on our boat and tubing with our children. He loved snow skiing with the family around the country, two of his passions! He was certified to Scuba dive as well, the one passion of his I didn’t share! We enjoyed a great life raising our kids so close to the beach. Mark had a pretty active life until this last year or so and he never gave up or quit trying to keep doing all the things he loved! When he could no longer ride a bike we got him a three wheel bike that was great fun for him. Mark also leaves behind our dachshund Ezra, who was devoted to Mark! Mark and I spent many days walking with Ezra and often taking him to the state park. Ezra very much misses Mark. Most of our marriage we had multiple dogs and cats, because of something he and I both shared, a love for animals!

Mark and I had 41 beautiful years building friendships and experiencing a successful life with our children. Mark’s life as a dad was lots of fun and rewarding! He spent many years taking our girls to horse shows around the state and he was well known as fabulous “horse show dad”. He never missed a show and we had a great time horse showing as a family where we had lots of great times and lots of great friends.

Mark’s career was truly his love and his patients were all special and well taken care of.

Mark has given me a life I never could have dreamed of and one I will cherish. We worked hard for many years getting him through med school and residency with two small children, but we look as the young and Len years as some of the best! Mark and I were a team!

He was a kind and generous person with an abundance of patience! He was a little shy, but he had a wicked sense of humor and you had to listen carefully because he always a witty quip! He was the sweetest and mischievous and gentle person I have ever known. I am grateful his battle with his disease is over for him, but he leaves a beautiful legacy behind that ended all too soon!

There will be a small private celebration of life for him with close friends.

To all of Mark’s family, friends and patients, he loved you all! Thank you everyone for all the support I have received, it is amazing!  Please post your fondest condolences to the family on the Cremation Society of Virginia’s website.