Jennifer Joy Wentz

Jennifer Joy Wentz passed away on June 7 at her home in Ben Lomond after a period of illness. She was 66 years old. Jennifer was born on October 6, 1946 in Kansas City, Missouri to Robert Ewing Jones and Dorothy Marie Jones. Jennifer's father was a B-25 bomber pilot during WWII, and he earned a degree in aeronautical engineering from the University of Kansas in 1951. In 1955 the family moved from Missouri to southern California where Jennifer's father worked for Lockheed Aircraft. Her father instilled in her a lifelong interest in aircraft and aviation. Jennifer grew up in Northridge, California. She graduated from Cleveland High School in Reseda, CA in 1964. In 1970 Jennifer married Jeffrey Bosshard. They lived for two years in Boston where they both worked at the headquarters of the Christian Science Church. In 1973 they moved to Felton, where Jeff established his law practice. Their son Benjamin was born in 1976. Jennifer held various jobs including bank teller, receptionist and switchboard operator. After her divorce Jennifer worked as a Program Assistant for Santa Cruz City Schools from 1990 to 1992. In 1990 she met Esca Ray Wentz Jr., and they were married in 1992 at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Ben Lomond. Ray and Jennifer lived in Cupertino from 1992 until 1998. During this time Jennifer attended De Anza College where she earned an AA degree (Magna Cum Laude) in Paralegal Studies in 1998. During her studies at De Anza Jennifer was elected a member of the Phi Theta Kappa honor society. Jennifer had a keen interest in anything British. In 1993 Jennifer and Ray spent two weeks touring England, Scotland and Wales with their friends Rev. Colville Smythe and his wife Sylvia. For Jennifer one of the highlights of this trip was a visit to Castle Howard in Yorkshire (where the PBS series "Brideshead Revisited" was filmed). Another highlight was seeing the Concorde supersonic aircraft in flight while standing in front of Buckingham Palace in London. Since 1998 Jennifer and Ray have lived at their home in Ben Lomond. In 2005 Ray retired from his job as an engineer with the Boeing Company in Sunnyvale. Jennifer was a loving wife and mother, and she served her community in a number of ways. During 1999 Jennifer served as a Law Library Page at the Santa Cruz County Law Library where she helped patrons with their legal research needs. She also helped them find and utilize various kinds of forms for personal and court use. Jennifer served as a docent at Henry Cowell State Park from 2006 through 2011. Her specialty was guiding school groups on nature walks on the Redwood Grove Trail while teaching the students about the plants and animals of the park. During her years in Santa Cruz County Jennifer was an active member of Christian Science churches in Felton, Santa Cruz and Soquel. During this time she served as a reader, clerk, board member, Sunday School teacher and Reading Room Librarian. She was also a long-time member of the Santa Cruz Redwoods Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star. Jennifer was preceded in death by her father, Robert Jones. She is survived by her husband Ray Wentz and by her son Benjamin who lives in Watsonville, CA. Her mother Dorothy Jones who lives in Camarillo, CA. Her sister Rebecca Garey who lives in Ventura, CA, and her brother Richard Jones lives in Oak Park, CA. A celebration of Jennifer's life will be held later this year. Donations on Jennifer's behalf can be made to Hospice of Santa Cruz County.