Jennifer “Jenny” Grace Winkler

Jennifer “Jenny” Grace Winkle

Jennifer “Jenny” Grace Winkler, 56, of Seattle, Washington, passed away peacefully in her sleep at home on December 30^th, 2024.

Jenny grew up in shoreline and graduated from Shoreline High School. She attended Western Washington University where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in History, Master of Arts in History and a Certification in Archives and Records Management.

Jenny dedicated herself by contributing to the community throughout her life. For 28 years she charted her career path towards civil service.  She started working at King County Elections department, then moved onto the University of Washington Records Management office where she would meet her new lifelong friend and mentor. Later, Jenny took on a new challenge with the City of Seattle to develop a Records Management Program and remained there as the City Records Manager for over two decades. As a member of ARMA “Association of Records Managers and Administrators” she promoted the field giving her knowledge and time to professional development and training record analysts even after she retired from civil service.

Jenny loved getting involved and donating her personal energy and expertise to projects she loved. One such project was her role as the book rodeo coordinator at Carl Sandburg Elementary school. As an avid reader she knew what books were appropriate for each age group. She even learned many of the children’s book preferences spending months searching for books they would love and earning the nickname “The Book Rodeo Lady.”  Behind the scenes she spent hundreds of hours scavenging and organizing books and planning the rodeo for many years. She earned a PTSA Golden Acorn award for all her achievements and personal sacrifices. After retirement, Jenny enjoyed volunteering at Carl Sandburg’s Elementary school library and working part-time for the University of Washington Records Management office.

Family was the most precious thing in Jenny’s life. She was a dedicated and loving mother and a fierce protector of her children. She encouraged her children to be involved in sports and Rebecca and Christopher played soccer from the time they were toddlers to seniors in high school. Jenny cherished this so much she never missed attending their games. Even when the rain was coming down sideways, you could still hear her over the storm offering encouragement to her kid’s team. When the team coach was unavailable she jumped at the chance to step in and coach.

Jenny Winkler is survived by her husband, David and their two children, Rebecca and Christopher. She is also survived by her parents Mike and Nitha Smith and her sister Michelle Lampers (Keith), nephew and niece, Jake and Erica.

As her husband, I was in awe watching Jenny live her life with such grace that touched so many of her family members, friends and community. Juggling a full-time career, volunteering, and raising two children, she led a full and beautiful life. She will forever be in our hearts!

If you would like to honor Jenny, in lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center  or to Carl Sandburg elementary school through PTSA Givebacks.