Jennifer Autumn Paxton Higbee

She was born Feb. 19, 1951, in Jamestown, N.Y., the daughter of the late William A. and Lorine A. Rydell Paxton.

Jennifer was a 1969 graduate of Jamestown High School. She attended the Continental School of Beauty in Olean, N.Y., where she received her cosmetology certification. She was one of the owners of the former Michael’s Salon in Jamestown. She took time at home to raise her children and during that time excelled in catalog home party businesses with Tupperware, Friendly Home parties and Christmas Around the World through the 1980s.

Once all of her children entered elementary school Jennifer started her career in special education and VOTECH at BOCES in Ashville, N.Y. Her students brought her joy. She was the school advisor for Skills USA where she was so proud of her students in their competitions and accomplishments. She also worked for The Resource Center. She retired from both in 2005.

Jennifer was a member of the local Mothers of Twins and Triplets Club (MOTC) in Jamestown. She excelled and was voted president of the New York State Mothers of Twins organization where she held a yea year term devoted to providing research, support, and education to families with twins and multiples.

Family was Jennifer’s highest priority. She always made sure the family was drawn together for holidays and family functions throughout the year. Christmas was the most important holiday to her. She would travel back north from Florida to the family home that her oldest son now owns, and it was her joy to have all her family and friends at the family home on Christmas Eve. She would prepare a traditional Swedish buffet every year for her family and friends.

Jennifer enjoyed spending time with all her friends. She enjoyed karaoke, dancing, and dinner with her friends.

Besides her husband Chuck, she is survived by her son, Jason Higbee and his companion, Pete Seeley, of Falconer, N.Y.; daughter Jacquelyn and her husband, James Rasey of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio; son Joshua and his wife, Shannon Higbee of Jamestown, N.Y.; son Jared Higbee of Jamestown, N.Y. and stepson, Charles Glenn Higbee Jr. of Coventry Rhode Island. Her 13 grandchildren; and one great-grandchild were the sparkle in her eyes. She is survived by her grandchildren; Justin and Jordan Higbee of Falconer, Spencer, Braden, Megan, Emma, Victoria and Jaxson Higbee of Jamestown, Hunter and Madison Rasey of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, Neil Higbee of Plainfield Conn., Logan and Shannon Higbee of Sterling, Conn.; and great-grandson, Hunter Higbee of Plainfield Conn. She is also survived by a sister, Julie Gopp and her daughters: Jessica Gopp and Jennie Bolger of Gilroy, Calif.; and nephews Tracy Paxton and Scott Paxton of Jamestown. She also had extended family that she kept very dear to her Edith and Todd Parker and their sons: Gracin and Easton of Randolph, N.Y.

Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, James Paxton, who died June 14, 2017; and his son Adam Paxton, who died April 24, 2019; and her aunt, Linnea Klang of whom she was a caretaker.

Due to the restrictions from the current pandemic a private memorial service will be held at the convenience of the family with a public celebration of her life to be held this summer.