Jennifer Leila Stretton passed away unexpectedly on Monday, April 17, in Columbus. She was born December 13, 1991, in Santa Fe but grew up in the Athens area.
She was an exuberant, charismatic and fiercely independent woman who had an infectious smile and loved to help others. As a child, Jennifer was vivacious and dynamic with diverse interests including art, softball, music, theater, karate, science and history. Jennifer excelled in many of these interests and had her art work included in the Ohio Governor’s Youth Art Exhibition and was honored to be selected to participate in Buckeye Girls’ State.
Jennifer graduated from Athens High School in 2010, where she lettered in soccer and continued to be heavily involved in theater, band (French horn), art, and history.
After high school, Jennifer went on to travel and continue her schooling in different areas. She spent time in Los Angeles but ultimately returned to Ohio where she worked and lived in Columbus. She enjoyed advocating for the LGTBQ+ and women’s rights communities. She loved meeting new people and having adventures in the city. She was outgoing and willing to help people at all turns while never finding strangers.
Jennifer struggled with mental health concerns that included disordered eating. She was the first to tell others about her plight with anxieties and eating issues and willing to help others. Just prior to her death, she was beginning to turn her life around.
Surviving her death are her parents. David (Diana) Stretton and Paige Stretton, and her siblings, Adrick Stretton and Rebecca Stretton. She also has numerous family members including aunts, uncles, cousins, great aunts and uncles, and too many friends to count. Jennifer was very loved.
She was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, William and Norma Stretton, and maternal grandparents William and Norma Rappel.
Visitation will be held 11 a.m. Monday, April 24, 2023, until the start of services at 2 p.m. Services will be held at Hughes-Moquin Funeral Home at 168 Morris Avenue, Athens. Further information and a link to video streaming of the service can be found at www.hughesmoquinfuneralhome.com
