Obituary
21 passed gently in the summer of 2015, without spectacle or ceremony—just the soft turning of a page that would end up marking one of the most formative chapters of her life.
Though she arrived quietly—no wild night out, no clinking of glasses to celebrate a first legal drink—21 had nothing to prove. She was already grounded in who she was becoming. Maybe it was a school night in sleepy Philippi, West Virginia, or maybe it just wasn’t her style. Either way, 21 shrugged off the expectations and made her own kind of celebration: one built on purpose, friendship, and forward momentum.
21 thrived. She was a senior at Alderson Broaddus, leading her sorority, Phi Kappa Delta, as president in her final year. It was a role she took seriously—organizing, inspiring, showing up for her sisters in ways big and small. The bond she shared with them, forged over years of late-night talks, chapter meetings, and campus traditions, was something she held close. She especially cherished Greek Week—the 1920s theme, the infectious stomp routine to Fergie’s “A Little Party Never Killed Nobody,” and the adrenaline of performing it with pride.
In the sorority house, 21 found her people. The “Power Triangle”—herself, Kristen, and Stephanie—was born. Together, they made the house feel like home: watching Lifetime dramas, laughing until it hurt, and breaking a sweat playing dance games on the Xbox Kinect. Nights out were sometimes spent at Lil Moe’s or heading to frat parties in nearby Wesleyan, but the real joy was in simply being together.
Cynthia, by now, was more than just a friend—she was a soul sister, a steady presence in a time of transition. Together they navigated the pressures of senior year, supported each other’s studies, and dreamed about what was next. There were no romantic distractions. For 21, friendship was love, and she had plenty of it.
In May, 21 walked across the stage and graduated magna cum laude, clutching her hard-earned degree in one hand and a growing sense of self in the other. That summer, she packed up and moved into an apartment in Morgantown, ready to begin graduate school at West Virginia University in the fall. She didn’t know exactly what would come next, but she didn’t need to. She was already blooming.
Preceded in death by the heartbroken 18 and the overachieving 20, 21 leaves behind a legacy of laughter, late nights, leadership, and quiet transformation. She is survived by the bold 22 and every version that came after, all of whom are better for having known her.
21’s Year In Review
The Best Thing About 21
Graduating college with honors—and with her chosen family by her side.
Favorite Things From 31
Songs of the Year
“A Little Party Never Killed Nobody” — Fergie (and it never did).
TV Shows I Loved
“Dance Moms” and “Breaking Amish” were standouts.
Core Memories
- Performing the stomp routine for Greek Week, in full 1920s glam.
- Watching trashy TV and dancing in the living room like no one was watching.
- Becoming the “Power Triangle” with Kristen and Stephanie—an unbreakable trio.
Places We Went
- From the hills of Philippi to a brand-new apartment in Morgantown, ready for grad school life.
- Countless late night Sheetz runs
- Lil Moe’s (the local dive bar with just enough charm).
- Stephanie’s boyfriend’s frat house in Wesleyan—chaotic and unforgettable.
Unexpected Joy
The kind of love that doesn’t need flowers or fancy dates—just loyal friends and late-night laughter.
What 21 Is Most Grateful For
Friendship. The deep, life-affirming kind. The kind that made her brave enough to step into the next chapter with no hesitation.
Here Lies Rachael Jensen 