SOMA Living February 2024

MEET THE LOGA FAMILY

Photography by Jamie Meier

In South Orange’s heart, the Loga family stands as a testament to resilience, warmth, and community spirit. Mark and Jennifer Loga, along with their daughters Abigail and Juliet, their beloved dog Pickles, and the memory of their daughter Lucy, rooted themselves in the SOMA community. They built a life rich in connections following their initial move to the NYC area from Buffalo, NY in 2011. Six-year-old Juliet, a new dancer, found joy and passion in her dance classes at Class Act Performing Arts. Her enthusiasm for performance and her wide range of interests reflect her vibrant and curious nature. Abigail, two, is known for her playful antics and love for ‘nacks’ (snacks), coupled with a curious fascination for “The Grinch.” Pickles, their adorable yorkie mix, completes the family with his lively presence. The Loga family faced an unimaginable loss in 2020, with the stillbirth of their daughter Lucy, at eight months of pregnancy. Jen explains, “Discussing Lucy is complex. We don’t want to overshadow moments of joy, or ruin someone’s day, yet she is a part of our family.” Jen is a dedicated advocate for stillbirth research and prevention, passionately sharing her volunteer work. Jen describes, “Until it happened to us, we had no idea that this was still a thing. It can happen to anybody. The most surprising thing to Mark and me was how little funding for research, data, and methods to prevent future tragedies exists.” Driven by their personal experience, Jen and Mark are vocal advocates for this cause. “It’s shocking how little progress has been made in reducing

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