Thoughts and Thank Yous

It dawns on me as I post this morning that it has been two months since Jen left us here...I can't say that time has healed any of the hurt and pain...in some ways it feels like it has only grown stronger. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't miss her terribly, and the house feels particularly lonely on the weekends. I have shed many a tear, and imagine that thousands more will be shed before things begin to look back up. I want to thank everyone for the thoughts, prayers, cards. I especially appreciate all who attended the memorial services, as well as those who graciously made contributions in Jen's name to The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. I know some have done the Light the Night walks, and I can not express how much it means to me for people to keep Jen's memory and spirit alive. I'm sure I could write forever, but as I am doing this at work, I will wrap it up for now....please check back, as I plan to post some more.

Jeremy

The Times-Union Obituary I wanted to run...

This obit is a little different than the one that ran in the paper....cut some to save on the cost...

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Jennifer Knapper Baker

Jennifer Knapper Baker, 28, died from complications from a 7-month battle with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML) on August 10, at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, MD. She lived in Arlington, VA.

Jennifer was born February 12, 1978 in Kalamazoo, MI to Robert K. and Janice K. Knapper. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science from Allegheny College in 2000 and with a Master of Education in Student Personnel in Higher Education from the University of Florida in 2003. As a student, she worked as a Resident Advisor and Resident Director at Allegheny College and as a Graduate Hall Director at the University of Florida.

Jennifer was united in marriage to Jeremy J. Baker on June 21, 2003 at Atlantic Beach, FL. After returning from her honeymoon, Jennifer worked as an Area Coordinator at The University of North Florida in Jacksonville, FL from 2003 to 2005. While living in Jacksonville, Jennifer loved making weekend trips out to the beach. She also enjoyed spending time with her friends and family, as well as going to Suns and Barracudas games, and following her beloved Florida Gators. Since June 2005, Jennifer served as the Assistant Director of Residence Life and Judicial Affairs Manager at Marymount University in Arlington, VA.

Jennifer belonged to numerous professional organizations within the higher education field, including SEAHO, ACUHO-I, NASPA, and ACPA.

Jennifer is preceded in death by her father, Robert K. Knapper. Jennifer is survived by her husband of 3 years, Jeremy J. Baker of Arlington, VA; her mother Janice K. Knapper of Kalamazoo, MI; her sister Marie A. Knapper of Kalamazoo, MI; and a long list of extended family and friends across the country.

A memorial service for Jennifer will be held on Saturday, September 9 at 1:00 PM at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 5752 Blanding Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32244. The family requests that donations made in Jen’s memory be forwarded to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Donor Services, PO Box 4072, Pittsfield, MA 01202.
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Gainesville Sun Obituary I never ran...

Hey everyone...not sure how many of you still check the site, but there are some things I have been meaning to post for some time now. I really wanted to run two obituary notices down in Florida, in the Florida Times-Union for Jacksonville, and The Gainesville Sun. Unfortunately, obituaries are EXTREMELY expensive to run in newspapers, and I figured Jen would kick my ass for spending as much as they were asking for. Here is what would have run in the Sun:

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Jennifer Knapper Baker
College Administrator

Jennifer Knapper Baker, 28, died from complications from a 7-month battle with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML) on August 10, at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, MD. She lived in Arlington, VA.

Jennifer was born February 12, 1978 in Kalamazoo, MI to Robert K. and Janice K. Knapper. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science from Allegheny College in 2000 and with a Master of Education in Student Personnel in Higher Education from the University of Florida in 2003.

In her two years of study in Gainesville, Jennifer worked as a Graduate Hall Director for both Jennings Hall and Beaty Towers. She was heavily involved in the Department of Residence Life, serving on numerous committees and earning a number of awards, including Advisor of the Year and the ROSE (Recognizing Outstanding Student Employees) Award. Outside of her job and studies, Jennifer enjoyed attending Gator football games and seeing gators in the wild. Some of her favorite spots were Lake Alice, Lake Wauberg, and the Alachua Sink.

After graduation, Jennifer was united in marriage to Jeremy J. Baker on June 21, 2003 at Atlantic Beach, FL. After returning from her honeymoon, Jennifer worked as an Area Coordinator at The University of North Florida in Jacksonville, FL from 2003 to 2005. Since June 2005, Jennifer served as the Assistant Director of Residence Life and Judicial Affairs Manager at Marymount University in Arlington, VA. Jennifer also previously worked as an Area Coordinator for Hobart & William Smith College in Geneva, NY, from 2000 to 2001.

Jennifer belonged to numerous professional organizations within the higher education field, including SEAHO, ACUHO-I, NASPA, and ACPA.

Jennifer is preceded in death by her father, Robert K. Knapper.

Jennifer is survived by her husband of 3 years, Jeremy J. Baker of Arlington, VA; her mother Janice K. Knapper of Kalamazoo, MI; her sister Marie A. Knapper of Kalamazoo, MI; and a long list of extended family and friends across the country.

A memorial service for Jennifer will be held on Saturday, September 9 at 1:00 PM at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 5752 Blanding Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32244. The family requests that donations made in Jen’s memory be forwarded to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Donor Services, PO Box 4072, Pittsfield, MA 01202.
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