Obituary of Jennifer A. Whitehead

Jennifer Anne Whitehead, born December 13, 1967 in Syracuse, NY, passed from this life on February 24, 2015. Predeceased by her sister, Val; her father, David Fraser; her brother, Dave; and her sister, Alice; she is survived by her husband, Daryl Santos; her mother, June; her sister, Maggie; her brothers, Keith and Jim; sister-in-law, Dorothy; and the Clement family. She is also survived by her many nieces and nephews, as well as her "babies" Libra, Xfiles, the Bugs, Cassiopeia and Astro; her extended family of the Santos, Campbells, Martins, Fausts, Clarkes, Blackmans, Garzas, Laubs, Roses, Rothenbachs, the Hermanos of Lambda Upsilon Lambda, and too many more to name; many friends from elementary through graduate school and professional colleagues. Jenny, one of the best and brightest, graduated from William Nottingham Sr. High School and then went on to earn a B.A. at Cornell University. After graduating from Cornell, she became a social services provider in New York City for HIV/AIDS patients. Jenny's continued dedication to the pursuit of Social Justice led her to earn an MSW at Syracuse University while working at the Goodhope Youth Home in Cortland. During her 14 years there, she became the Program Director. Her passion for progress led her to later earn a Master's Degree in Public Administration (MPA) at Binghamton University, where she was awarded, upon graduation, the Alpha Award for Outstanding Student Performance, Service and Leadership. Afterwards, she worked in the Graduate School at Binghamton University. Since leaving Binghamton University, she had been working as the Resource Coordinator for the Integrated Domestic Violence Court in Cortland County. Inspired by her love for music, especially Steely Dan, Rush and Tom Petty and the Heart Breakers, Jenny and Daryl had the shared enjoyment of traveling to many exciting concert venues. In addition, she loved her shared times with Daryl in Korea and Hawaii, summers on their boat at Cayuga Lake, her plants, being outdoors and camping, New York Times crossword puzzles and her massive literary collection. Friends and family were so important to her; one great love was to spend simple times in her home or theirs, laughing, playing games and, most importantly to Jenny, having deep, meaningful conversations. Although kind and generous, Jenny was a fierce competitor, from Spelling Bees when she was young, to her love of playing in the pool league at Nip's Park Avenue Saloon, and it shone in her ability to strike fear in the hearts of many over a game of Scrabble. Her smile was contagious, but her bright piercing blue eyes have left a mark in our hearts that we will never forget. Jenny, wherever you are, Hit the Gas! Memorial Services will be held at the J.A. McCormack Sons Funeral Home, 141 Main Street, Binghamton, Tuesday at 7pm. The family will receive friends at the McCormack Funeral Home, Tuesday from 6-7pm. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made in the name of "Jenny Whitehead for the MPA Program" to Binghamton University at the following link: www.bconnectalumni.binghamton.edu/default.aspx?page=GiveGiving Please select the College of Community and Public Affairs, and insert the above memo