Patricia
Ernst
Jennings
Cambridge-
It is with
profound
sadness that
the family
of Patricia
Ernst
Jennings
announces
her passing
on Sunday,
October 27,
2019.
Patricia was
born on the
family farm
in
Johnsonville,
N.Y. on
December 21,
1935 to her
parents
Wilhelm and
Martha Ella
Elisabeth
Ernst. She
was the
youngest of
their 5
children.
Patricia
began her
education in
a one room
school on
the family
farm, but
graduated as
salutatorian
from
Cambridge
Central
School in
1950 at the
age of 14.
In high
school she
met her
wonderful
future
husband
Rupert
Jennings Jr.
and after
marrying in
South
Shaftsbury,
Vermont,
they shared
60 plus
years of
marriage.
Pat was a
remarkable
woman in
ways too
numerous to
count. She
possessed
boundless
energy, a
lifelong
love of
learning, a
great love
for the
outdoors
where she
would hike
with her
children and
grandchildren
and
encourage
them to love
and respect
the out of
doors as
well. She
also was
extraordinarily
intelligent
and had
uncompromising
love for her
family. She
and Rupert
had 4
children and
Pat was a
“stay at
home” mom
until after
her youngest
was in
school. She
babysat
numerous
children as
well,
nurturing
them along
with her
own. If Pat
did not know
how to do
something
she simply
taught
herself to
do it. She
became a
wonderful
seamstress,
pianist,
vocalist,
cook, tutor,
and role
model for
her
children.
She was a
voracious
reader who
passed her
love of
reading and
learning to
her
children.
She was a
fierce
supporter of
lifelong
learning for
all and this
led her to
become a
board member
at the
Cambridge
Public
Library and
later led
her to
become
heavily
involved in
the
expansion
project of
the library
itself. She
was proud
that each of
her children
graduated
from college
and worked
in fields
that they
loved.
After her
children
were all in
school, Pat
began a
career at
Jerome E.
Wright in
Cambridge.
She taught
herself how
to use
computers
and became a
trusted and
integral
member of
their staff
until her
retirement.
She then
jumped
happily into
her next
career as
“Oma” as she
was known to
her
grandchildren.
She adored
spoiling
them,
playing with
them and
teaching
them
whatever
they wanted
to learn.
They all
loved going
to Oma and
Opa’s house.
Left to
mourn her
loss but
cherish
their
memories of
Patricia are
her devoted
husband
Rupert
Jennings
Jr., her son
Rupert III
(Chuck) and
his wife
Carol, her
daughters,
Catharine
and her
husband
James Kilby,
Lynn and her
husband
Jeffrey
Meyer and
Elisabeth
(Lisa) and
her husband
Tony
VanGessel.
She also
leaves
behind her
beloved
grandchildren,
Sarah Meyer
Wilde,
Stephanie
Meyer
Edwards,
Faith
Robinson
Jennings,
Rupert
Robinson
Jennings,
James Tyler
Kilby and
Andrew
Jennings
Kilby, her
great
grandchildren
Jennings
Taylor Tobin
Wilde and
Madeline
Elisabeth
Meyer Wilde
and her
beloved
nieces
Elaine
Hendricks
and Sheila
Nelson.
In
accordance
to
Patricia’s
wishes there
will be no
formal
calling
hours or
funeral
services. A
private
service for
the family
will be held
at a later
date.
Donations in
Patricia’s
honor may be
made to her
beloved
Cambridge
Public
Library,
Children’s
Book Fund.
Patricia’s
family would
like to
extend
sincere,
heartfelt
thanks to
the staff of
Crescent
Manor
Nursing Home
for the 9
plus years
of
compassionate,
professional
and loving
care
provided to
Patricia and
her family
during her
time in
their care.
Donations
may be made
to:
Cambridge
Public
Library
21 West Main
Street,
Cambridge NY
12816
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