Jennifer Carter Memorial Fund CHARITYSMITH

 

JENNIFER CARTER MEMORIAL FUND

The Jennifer Carter Memorial Fund was created by her family to honor her life and career in nursing. This memorial fund provides a scholarship for an L.P.N. Graduate of Great Oaks School of Practical Nursing, Laurel Oaks Campus, in Wilmington, Ohio, to further his/her education in an accredited R.N. program. Applications may be obtained by emailing JenniferCarterFund@gmail.com.

About Jennifer Carter

To describe Jennifer as special is inadequate. She was special in so many different ways. Words that best describe Jennifer’s character include intelligent, strong, capable, forthright, and generous to a fault, caring, loving, and a leader in every aspect of her life. We, her family, saw this early on. Her direct approach to people and situations, even as a child went far beyond her years. By the age of ten she was invaluable to her single, working mother, helping to care for three younger siblings and doing household chores. It was one of her passions to be helpful and she did it with such confidence and ease. Her mother is sure she could not have made it without Jennifer’s help.

Jennifer excelled in her schoolwork and extracurricular activities with her boundless energy, and with her caring nature it was no surprise to anyone when she decided to pursue a career in nursing. When she graduated from high school in 1990, she was awarded an academic scholarship as well as a nursing scholarship and was on her way.

Jennifer truly loved nursing and put all her skill and compassion into her work. She loved babies and children and was equally at home with the elderly. While working in a nursing home she spent much of her own time, after her shift ended, caring for those patients she thought might not make it through the night. She often attended the funerals of her patients, especially those who had no family.

Jennifer married Joe Carter on September 3, 1993. Joe had three daughters, Alisha, Heather, and Jennifer (Little Jenn). Little Jenn lived with Jennifer and her dad, while Alisha and Heather stayed with their mother. Jennifer considered all the girls her family, and developed a special bond with Little Jenn, who had just turned four when they were married. Jennifer and Joe had a daughter, Kennedi, on February 28, 1999. Jennifer managed her household with her usual untiring efficiency, taking everything in stride and never letting small problems develop into large ones, and much of this while handling two jobs and teaching a nursing class. Even during her busiest times, she seldom missed a day checking on her grandmother, either stopping in or phoning to see that she was all right and asking whether she needed anything.

When her father, a cancer patient, became terminally ill she, along with her sister Stacey, and her brothers Jim and Quentin cared for him in his home, providing around-the-clock care for several weeks until he passed away. Jennifer was truly an inspiration, not only to her students, but to family members as well. Some of her students tell us they were ready to drop out of the program, but with Jennifer’s help and encouragement, went on to graduate. Family members inspired by her work are her sister, Stacey Herdman, R.N., her aunt, Holly Benton, R.N., and her cousin, Amanda Garrett, R.N. Her daughter, Little Jenn, 17, achieved S.T.N.A. (State Tested Nursing Assistant) status this year, and plans to follow in her mother’s footsteps by enrolling in an R.N. program after graduation. We are so proud of each one. This is part of Jennifer’s legacy and we hope other family members will continue to inspire future generations. Jennifer touched more lives in her short time on earth than many of us who live to an advanced age.

Jennifer was 33 when she was taken from us suddenly in an automobile accident, leaving family and friends in total shock and grief. She was giving, even in death.... Jennifer was a registered organ donor and no less than eight people continue to benefit from her generosity.

We celebrate her life and all she stood for. We, her family and all who were close to her, will carry a part of Jennifer’s spirit forever in our hearts and will never, ever forget.

 

 

Recipients:

 

 

Fund Administrators:

 

Donations:

All donations to the Jennifer Carter Memorial Fund (a division of CHARITYSMITH) are tax deductible in accordance with federal tax laws. Donations can be made using one of the following secure methods:

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Words and Music for "The Gathering of Spirits" by Carrie Newcomer © 2000, BMI Bug Publishing.