| In Memoriam Jeannie Kauffman, age 41, passed away peacefully on February 7th, after a brave 27-month battle with brain cancer. A long-time resident of California, Jeannie was surrounded by her loving family at the home of her parents in The Woodlands, TX. Born on February 19, 1966 in Manchester, CT, Jeannie grew up in Wallingford, CT where she graduated from Lyman Hall High School in 1984. She attended Quinnipiac College, followed by a successful career in sales. Most recently, she was Account Manager at Automatic Data Processing, Inc. in Long Beach, CA. Jeannie’s passion was her music. She was an accomplished singer/songwriter who performed at coffeehouses in and around Long Beach. During her own crusade with cancer, Jeannie used her music as an instrument of inspiration for fellow patients and caregivers, performing her song All In For A Cure at fundraising events around the country. Jeannie loved animals, the beach and sunshine, but the true light of her life was her 3 year old curly-haired daughter Berkley. Jeannie is survived by Berkley, her parents Mary Ann and David Kauffman, sister Lisa Kauffman Tharp and husband Sam, sister Mindy Dworaczyk and husband Ed, niece Sophia, nephews Justin and Mitchell, extended family and many loving friends. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am on Monday, the 3rd of March 2008, at Holy Trinity Church, 84 N. Colony St., immediately followed by a reception at Gouveia Vineyards, 1339 Whirlwind Hill Road, both in Wallingford, CT. A funeral service was also held on February 11th at Forest Park in The Woodlands, TX. For more, visit www.JeanniesCure.org. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Jeannie Kauffman Memorial Scholarship Fund, 82 Lenox Hill Drive, The Woodlands, TX, 77382. |
| Jeannie's Cure Dedicated to finding a cure for brain cancer. |
Jeannie's Story
On October 25, 2005, Jeannie Kauffman's world turned upside down.
She was diagnosed with a brain tumor. As she absorbed the news
that would change her life, she pulled out a photo of her 2 year old
daughter and declared, "This is what I am fighting for."
The tumor turned out to be a glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain
cancer, with an average survival rate of 12 to 18 months. Jeannie
took on the fight with her trademark will and determination. She
underwent several surgeries, radiation and chemotherapy - while
continuing to be a doting parent to Berkley, writing and performing
songs at fundraising events, and ultimately, helping raise over
$160,000 for brain cancer research. (more...)
On October 25, 2005, Jeannie Kauffman's world turned upside down.
She was diagnosed with a brain tumor. As she absorbed the news
that would change her life, she pulled out a photo of her 2 year old
daughter and declared, "This is what I am fighting for."
The tumor turned out to be a glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain
cancer, with an average survival rate of 12 to 18 months. Jeannie
took on the fight with her trademark will and determination. She
underwent several surgeries, radiation and chemotherapy - while
continuing to be a doting parent to Berkley, writing and performing
songs at fundraising events, and ultimately, helping raise over
$160,000 for brain cancer research. (more...)
| Jeannie with daughter Berkley |
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Jeannie with Tim McGraw and Faith Hill after she rocked the house in Philly. |
| Jeannie performs her original song All In For A Cure at the Tug McGraw Foundation Celebrity Gala on November 3, 2006 |
| Dad, Jeannie, Mom November 2006 |
| Sisters Lisa, Jeannie and Mindy November 2006 |
| Berkley at the park in Texas December 2007 |
| Mommy and sleepy Berkley exchange matching pajamas on Berkley's early Christmas Eve 2007 |
| Berkley hangs ornaments with Fia and Mima |
| Jeannie at Big Bear, CA, circa 1994 |
February 7, 2008
It is with heavy hearts and sadness that we let you all know that Jeannie
passed away today. She was surrounded by her immediate family when
she died, and she knew how much she was loved not only by all of us, but
by all of you. From this day forward, Berkley's mommy will forever be her
angel, singing her sweet lullabies from heaven.
Words cannot express how profound is the loss of a person so special,
whose light shined so brightly during the days of her life. Jeannie battled
bravely for the past 27 months, never complaining, and inspiring us all
with her living example of courage and selflessness. Jeannie was always
thinking of others. We are certain she is doing that now... watching over
us all and wanting us to celebrate her most brilliant, but all too short life
with the same fiesty spirit with which she lived.
It is with heavy hearts and sadness that we let you all know that Jeannie
passed away today. She was surrounded by her immediate family when
she died, and she knew how much she was loved not only by all of us, but
by all of you. From this day forward, Berkley's mommy will forever be her
angel, singing her sweet lullabies from heaven.
Words cannot express how profound is the loss of a person so special,
whose light shined so brightly during the days of her life. Jeannie battled
bravely for the past 27 months, never complaining, and inspiring us all
with her living example of courage and selflessness. Jeannie was always
thinking of others. We are certain she is doing that now... watching over
us all and wanting us to celebrate her most brilliant, but all too short life
with the same fiesty spirit with which she lived.
| Jeannie Kauffman February 19, 1966 – February 7, 2008 |
To everyone who travelled from near and
far to Jeannie's Texas and Connecticut services,
and to all of you who were there in spirit, and to all
who sent their support and prayers and donations
and flowers, we humbly thank you.
We are deeply touched by the outpouring of love
and friendship from all who knew and loved
Jeannie.
We feel her with us each day, and dance with her
every time the clock strikes her lucky minute, 11:11.
As in life, we are certain that she is rocking the
heavens with her music, gathering dearly missed
family and friends around her, and waiting for us to
join the party.
Go, Jeannie, Go! We love you.
far to Jeannie's Texas and Connecticut services,
and to all of you who were there in spirit, and to all
who sent their support and prayers and donations
and flowers, we humbly thank you.
We are deeply touched by the outpouring of love
and friendship from all who knew and loved
Jeannie.
We feel her with us each day, and dance with her
every time the clock strikes her lucky minute, 11:11.
As in life, we are certain that she is rocking the
heavens with her music, gathering dearly missed
family and friends around her, and waiting for us to
join the party.
Go, Jeannie, Go! We love you.