Town remembers Jenny Schenk with fondness

Lifelong volunteer passed away Mar. 3

by Gabe Donio, Gazette Staff Writer

HAMMONTON—The town came together last week to mark the passing of Jenny Schenk, 83, a lifelong volunteer who dedicated her life to the community and a host of local causes and institutions. Schenk died on March 3. Hundreds attended her viewing at the Marinella Funeral Home and memorial services at the Hammonton Presbyterian Church, honoring her life of community service and remembering her fondly.
Born in Philadelphia, Schenk was the youngest member of the Continisio family that included four brothers and a sister. According to her son Robert Schenk, his mother grew up in a family that believed in giving back to the community.
“They had a philosophy that everybody that lived in the town should do something for the town. Her whole family was that way. She really believed in volunteerism. She believed in promoting the community where you live or work. That is her legacy,” Robert Schenk said.
Jenny Schenk was a Hammonton resident for most of her life. She was a 1942 graduate of Hammonton High School, and was crowned Peach Queen of Hammonton.
An extremely civic-minded woman, Schenk devoted her time to a number of local organizations and institutions. She was a charter member, past president and served on the board of trustees of the William B. Kessler Memorial Hospital Ladies Auxiliary, where she was chairman of the fashion show for many years. According to the hospital, Schenk logged 9500 hours of service during her years as a volunteer.
She also was a former member of the Woman’s Civic Club, longtime member and Elder of the Hammonton Presbyterian Church and a member of the Historical Society of Hammonton.
“She was like an ambassador for the town of Hammonton. She was proud of her town, her hospital. She was always up-to-date with the day-to-day goings on of the town, from politics, to business, to who got married or who had a baby,” Robert Schenk said.
On the personal side, Jenny Schenk kept notes about people, including their birthdays and anniversaries, and would always send cards marking the occasions, or ones extending sympathy or get-well wishes. She would send as many as 10 to 15 cards a month, Robert Schenk said.
Her niece Charlotte Bancheri Milligan, the oldest cousin, will continue the practice, according to Robert Schenk.
“She wants to continue the tradition. She has the calendar with every relative’s birthday or wedding anniversary,” he said.
Schenk’s son said that his mother always remained connected to her Continisio family, and attended two of the last three gatherings of extended Continisio cousins, which have been held the week before Christmas each year since 1978.
In addition to her family, her cooking and her card playing, Schenk loved being Italian in a town known for its Italian-American population.
“She would say, ‘My married name is Jenny Schenk, but my maiden name was Continisio. You know, I’m Italian.’ She was very proud of that, being Italian,” Robert Schenk said.
William Parkhurst gave a eulogy during the service held at the Hammonton Presbyterian Church last week for Jenny Schenk. Parkhurst had a familial connection to Jenny Schenk: her brother Nick Continisio was married to Parkhurst’s aunt, Marjorie.
After Marjorie passed away at the early age of 43, Parkhurst said the bond between him and Jenny Schenk grew extremely close. He recalled her proud nature, and her unyielding devotion to her family, friends, church, causes and community.
“Jenny embraced life with a passion. Each day was an adventure, a celebration. With her enthusiasm and zest she could turn the dreariest day to one of sparkling sunshine. She awoke each day with a plan to please and to create happiness in others’ lives. She took caring to a new dimension unknown to most of we mortals,” Parkhurst said during his eulogy.
Her granddaughter Lauren Schenk also spoke at the service.
“She was loved by so many friends and family. She was the type of person who never forgot a birthday and always wanted to be a part of the big events in everyone’s lives. She was there for me through some of the toughest times in my life as well as some of the happiest,” Lauren Schenk said during the service.
Recalling her grandmother as “probably one of the most well-known women in Hammonton,” Lauren Schenk said she was also a loving, supportive force in the lives of her grandchildren.
“She was always there for all of her grandchildren when we were little and as we grew older it was just the same. She supported all of the choices we made. She wanted us to work hard for our dreams and become successful in whatever it was that made us happy . . . I will carry her memory with me always,” Lauren Schenk said at the service.
Jenny Schenk was predeceased by her husband Robert J. Schenk. She is survived by her sons Robert Schenk Jr. and his wife Barbara, and William Schenk, all of Hammonton and her daughter Carol Schwalje and her husband Charles of East Brunswick.
She was the loving grandmother of Ryan, Shawna, Lauren and LaSchelle Schenk, April Torres, Gregory and Lindsay Schwalje. Schenk is also survived by companion Dr. Clifford Johnson.
Services were held on March 7 at the Hammonton Presbyterian Church. Internment was at Greenmount Cemetery.
Donations may be made to the Hammonton Presbyterian Church or the Foundation of William B. Kessler Memorial Hospital, P.O. Box 437 Hammonton, NJ 08037.