I could describe her at length, but I’m going to try to use words the sum her up. I knew when I went home that night, I had met someone special. That first time I cooked for her was salmon, veggies and polenta. That’s when I found out she was a vegetarian! Uh oh! However, she did eat seafood. We had met very briefly the first time she lived in Seattle, so when we ran into each other on the street, I promptly invited her to dinner. I was living in Aspen, cooking and snowboarding. The friendships she would develop through Isadora’s would last the rest of her life. In 1997, she moved back to Seattle for good, settled into an artist loft in Pioneer Square and went to work at Isadora’s Vintage Clothing & Jewelry in the Pike Place Market area. After the summer, Jen went back to Manhattan and began working in the vintage fashion industry. She only stayed through the summer that first time, but fell in love with her soon to be new home. She decided to go check out Seattle, the year was 1995. They were a little over protective and Jen started wondering if she would have to leave New York to get a date! About this time, some friends were moving to Seattle and they asked if she would like to join them. She would drive them into the city and they would protect her. When she returned home, she spent her down time going dancing at the clubs in Manhattan with Billy and his entourage.

She learned the language, loved the art, the culture and got the travel bug. As part of her education, Jen spent six months in Italy as part of a study abroad program. When Jen graduated High School, she moved back to New York and attended Brooklyn College and The Fashion Institute. The family moved to Kennebunkport, Maine in 1987 and operated a Bed and Breakfast Inn. Jen’s early passions were fashion, art, dancing and food! This is where Jen started developing her passion for quality of life and simplicity. This is where all of Jen’s friends would gather. “screaming at each other”, she would quietly crawl under the table to get away. When all the family would be around the dinner table talking. Jen was a quiet, thoughtful young girl, growing up in a loud and busy New York, Italian family. Jen’s ancestors had immigrated to the United States through Ellis Island a few generations before. Jenny has two older siblings, Elise and Billy. Jen was born in Long Island, New York on May 8 th, 1974. Jen’s husband, Karl, delivered the following eulogy:Īllow me this moment to share some memories of Jen and our lives together. Last week, a second memorial was held in New York. James Cathedral in Seattle to honor and remember her life. She died at home surrounded by friends and family.Ī week later, we filled St. In the afternoon of Thursday, July 18th, Jen Vennes passed away. On behalf of Jen and her family, I write this post.

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