Jenifer Bolton

Jenifer L. Bolton Jenifer L. Bolton, of Perkasie, PA, was born July 9, 1962, and gave up her earthly life on June 30, 2008 after a valiant and courageous battle with breast cancer. She was the daughter of Arthur and Anna (Tass) Bolton, of Sellersville. She met her husband, Keith Overberg, when she took flight lessons. They were married January 15, 1998. Keith was a great caregiver to her through all of her trials. She is also survived by a son, Michael, age 8, who she treasured, taught, and loved. Jenifer attended the Upper Perkiomen School District K through 7 grades. She became a Day Scholarship Student at the Perkiomen School, and graduated with the class of 1980. She graduated from the University of North Carolina, Greensboro, NC with a B.S. in Recreation & Leisure Studies in 1983. Her career as Director of Recreational Therapy spanned 6 years within 2 long term health care settings. While at the Peter Becker Community, she was the editor of their “Community News” publication. She served as a Graduate Assistant at the Arcadia College Reading Clinic, and received her M.S. in Health Education from Arcadia University in 1989. Her Masters of Education was presented at Lehigh University in 1992. She worked there for 2 years as a Research Assistant for those with severe disabilities in vocational and life skills, recreational activities and community integration. Her pursuit of a Doctoral degree at Lehigh was curtailed by her illness. During the summers of 1993-96, Jenifer was employed by Liberty High School, Bethlehem, teaching for the Private Industry Council Program. For 5 years, she taught the Academic Recovery Program and Life Skills Support Program at Liberty High School. She served as an Adjunct Professor at LaSalle University and Chestnut Hill University observing future teachers in their internships and student teaching duties. She authored technical publications in Education and Training in Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities. She was employed by the Abington School District as a Title I Reading Specialist from 2004 until 2006 when she was cut short of her teaching career. Her favorite quote was from Steven King’s Shawshank Redemption, “…either get busy dying or get busy living.” The latter was her choice. During the 2006-07 term, she filled in as a volunteer tutor for the Jump Start Reading Program at Deibler Elementary School, Perkasie, where her son attends, until she became too ill. She appeared on Channel 10, NBC Television with news reporter, Edie Huggins, for spearheading a project enlisting the help of fellow teachers, girls scouts, church members, Bible School Children, friends, family and the Oncology Staff at the University of Pennsylvania Hospital to make over 100 blankets for the Crow Indian Reservation in Garryowen, Montana. A local viewer was so moved by the news report that he offered to pay for the shipping of the blankets, clothing, games, and dental supplies. Although her teaching career ended, she remained active with various charitable causes using her creative talents. One of her favorite projects was the construction of a Memorial Garden at Willow Hill Elementary School, Willow Grove, PA. The students, teachers, staff and Principal occupied a special place in her heart. The wheelchair accessible garden will provide all students an opportunity to work in the soil, and study nature and the environment. In June 2007, she was honored with the Alumni Award of Perkiomen School given in memory of Ralph Hossman, one of her teachers, for her teaching abilities, courage, and perseverance. Her other activities included being a Bible School Teacher for her church, participating in Relay for Life, and speaking to classes at Perkiomen School to promote the Relay for Live. She held a private pilot license and was one of 7,000 U.S. women with an instrument rating. She also coordinated numerous aviation related events for Aviation Awareness Day at the Pennridge Airport, Perkasie, and authored several articles for aviation magazines. Gardening, bird watching, flying and traveling with her husband and son were among the joys of her life. Surviving with her husband, parents, and son; are 2 brothers: Jon, and his wife Mary, of Winston-Salem, NC; and Joel, and his wife, April Fry, of Portland, ME; Step-daughters: Tracy, wife of Jim Ferguson, and their son, Andrew; and Kerri, wife of Brian Wilcox, and their sons, Kevin and Kyle; and Step-son: Scott Overberg; cousins: Monica, wife of Drew Strawbridge, and their daughter, Rebecca; Jean Reiff, and Ruth Hoffman. Private Burial Services will be at St. Paul’s Lutheran Cemetery, Red Hill. A “Celebration of Her Life” will be 10:30 AM on Saturday, July 19th at Trinity Lutheran Church, 19 S. Fifith Street, Perkasie. All are invited. The Falk Funeral Homes & Crematory, Inc, 163 Main Street, Pennsburg,PA 18073 is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be made at www.falkfuneralhomes.com. In lieu of flowers, Jenifer’s wish is that gifts of remembrance be sent to the funeral home for either the Willow Hill Elementary School—Memorial Garden; or to the Perkiomen School. Her family is most grateful for all the help given to her and her family by the Oncology Department of the University of PA Hospital, the many relatives and friends who helped take care of her in her home, and the Grand View Hospital Hospice, Sellersville, PA.