Jenifer S. Bradford

Jenifer S. Bradford

Jenifer Mary Stuart Bradford, 85, of Staunton, a devoted community member and accomplished professional, passed away peacefully at her residence, Hilltop Cottage, on Saturday, April 11, 2026. She was born on December 2, 1940, in Bridlington, East Yorkshire, England, the eldest daughter of the late William and Mary (Pashley) Stuart, where she received her early education at Burlington Primary and Junior Schools, Saint George's Secondary Modern School, and the Bridlington Technical Institute. In 1962, at the age of twenty-one, Jenifer emigrated to the United States and furthered her education by attending the USDA Graduate School in Washington, D.C., where she earned a Diploma in Journalism. She also pursued studies at Northern Virginia Community College in Manassas, with an emphasis on Biology. Jenifer’s professional journey was marked by a diverse and successful career spanning two continents. In England, she served as a Production Assistant at Rigg Holdings Photogravure Engravers. After settling in Northern Virginia, she held several significant roles including editorial assistant at the National Education Association, clerical secretary at the World Bank, and Administrative and Production Assistant at Human Resources Development. Her editorial expertise extended to technical copy-editing positions at the American Geophysical Union and the National Academy of Sciences. Additionally, she contributed part-time as a Copy Editor, Proofreader, and Paste Up Assistant at Editorial Experts and as a Proofreader and Production Assistant at Editech Services. In July 1993, Jenifer relocated to Staunton from Fairfax County. Over the subsequent three and a half years, she dedicated herself to renovating an Arts and Crafts cottage, all the while supporting her husband’s final years of service as an electrician at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. Her connection to the local community was further enriched by her work as a Special Columnist for the “Landscaping for City Gardeners” from April 1995 to March 1998 and then for the Garden Page until June 2000, which appeared on Sundays in the Staunton Daily News Leader for many years. She wrote a monthly column “In the Garden” plus special travel articles for Augusta County from October 2000 to August 2002. Jenifer’s passions were many and varied; she was an avid reader, writer, photographer, and gardener. Her deep appreciation for nature and native plants shaped much of her life, as did her love of traveling, music, theatre, and art. She generously shared her talents and enthusiasm with the Staunton community and surrounding areas through numerous civic engagements. She served as a Member-at-Large on the Friends of the Staunton Library Board, held the position of horticulture chair for the Monterey Garden Club, acted as Vice President of the Palisades Garden Association in Washington, D.C., and was secretary of the Virginia Native Plant Society. She also held membership with the Augusta Community Partnership, Historic Staunton Foundation, Augusta County Historical Society, Valley Conservation Council, Newtown Neighborhood Association, the National Association of Current and Retired Federal Employees (NARFE) – Chapter 178, and the Prince William Wildflower Society. Jenifer was a passionate supporter of local arts and culture organizations, including community concerts, the Virginia Scenic Railroad, Oak Grove Theatre, ShenanArts, and Mary Baldwin College's theatre program. She was also a faithful member of the Staunton Mennonite Church. Throughout her life in the United States, Jenifer resided in Washington, D.C., Arlington, Prince William County, Highland County, Fairfax County, and finally, Staunton. She and her late husband took great care in owning and lovingly restoring six homes, each thoughtfully landscaped and individually cherished. She particularly treasured the experience of building an Acrel solar-active home on five acres in Prince William County and the time spent in their log cabin on weekends and vacations in Highland County. Jenifer is survived by her sister, M. Christine Kennedy of Wiltshire, UK; her nephew, Jonathan C. Kennedy of Bristol, UK; her niece, Lindsay M. Wright of Burnham, Buckinghamshire; her great-nephew, Jacob William Kennedy of Bristol, UK; her great-niece, Lily Madison of Burnham, Buckinghamshire; and her sister-in-law Alicia Estes of Churchton, Maryland. She is also survived by her dear friends and neighbors, Glenn and Kathy Zendt, Lois Sell, Randall and Latane Ware, and Pastor Kevin Gasser and her beloved feline companions, Greeli and Max. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Alden Bannerman Bradford, whom she married on June 5, 1971. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Memorials may be made to the Friends of the Staunton Public Library (1 Churchville Avenue, Staunton, VA 24401), the Caroline E. Roberts Memorial Flower Garden (c/o City of Staunton Parks & Recreation Department, 1000 Montgomery Avenue, Staunton, VA 24401), Highland County Humane Society (PO Box 458, Monterey, VA 24465), Augusta Regional SPCA (PO Box 2014, Staunton, VA 24402), Staunton-Augusta-Waynesboro Animal Shelter (1011 Lee Highway, Verona, VA 24482), or any Humane Society of your choice.