Jennifer Guardiola-Flores

When describing the life of Jennifer Guardiola-Flores, an ordinary palette would not suffice, for she was a colorful woman who brought a kaliedescope of love, memorable times and smiles to those around her. Her love will never be lost when warm memories are kept close. Gone too soon and never to be forgotten, Jennifer will be lovingly missed.

By the mid-1970s, the end of the draft and the Vietnam War inspired a renewal of patriotism with America's Bicentennial as Americans from coast to coast celebrated the 200th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. The hippie culture and acid rock gave way to the emergence of punk rock, heavy metal and disco while the motion picture, Rocky broke box office records. On May 11, 1976, nestled in the village of Shelby, Michigan, Raul and Olga (Rodriguez) Guardiola weren't focused on the headlines of the day, but rather the blessed birth of their baby girl, Jennifer Michelle.

The second of four children, Jennifer was the "big" baby in the family, weighing in at nine pounds, ten ounces. A bundle of joy from the start, she joined her older brother, Christopher, and later welcomed younger siblings, Miguel and Vanessa.

While a young child Jennifer and her family moved to Muskegon where they made their home. An outgoing and fun loving child, Jennifer was involved in many activities. She took baton lessons, was a cheerleader and enjoyed playing baseball and swimming. With her commitment as a girl scout, she worked hard and received all but two of her girl scout patches. As a family, wonderful memories were made camping in Shelby and memorable trips to Louisiana with her grandmother.

Jennifer attended Moon Elementary School and Steele Junior High School within the Muskegon Public School system. In school she played the flute and loved attending the school dances, but her love of roller skating found her at the local rink which was the place to be on the weekends.

Growing up, Jennifer had a close and treasured friendship with the Schaub family. Deb, Britney and Courtney meant so much to her. In fact, Deb was her girl scout leader for ten years. Close to heart remained the special bond she had with her brother, Miguel which the two shared from a very young age.

It brought Jennifer the greatest joy being surrounded by those she loved and cared for. Family time with her parents and siblings was always a priority. Their time together was filled with nothing less than good conversations, shared dreams and the importance of keeping close. Jennifer enjoyed being with her family and they meant everything to her. She always looked forward to getting together for breakfast at the Cherokee Restaurant each Sunday followed by great family cookouts on Sunday afternoons.

After graduating from Muskegon High School, Jennifer went on to attend the University of Phoenix, Baker College, Muskegon Community College, and Ross Medical School, eventually receiving her degree in criminal justice, accounting degree and worked as a corrections officer. For a time she served in the U.S. Army until receiving a medical discharge due to knee problems. A vivacious go-getter, she aspired to enjoy life and lived to her potential. Always the hard worker, she gained insightful experience in various forms of employment. She not only worked as a restaurant server, office manager, accountant and as a material handler, she wasn't afraid to get her hands dirty. A licensed welder, she was a fork lift driver, die caster and even dabbled in real estate.

Jennifer's greatest role and most important was being a mother. Blessed with two handsome sons, Camren came along in 1995 followed by Eric in 1998. It was evident her boys were her world and she loved spoiling them. She provided well for them and made sure they had the security and stability needed while growing up. She spent endless hours watching them ride dirt bikes, supported them in their many activities and loved being a busy and active football mom.

The summer months were Jennifer's favorite. With the warm sun on her face and the wind at her back, she thoroughly loved riding her Harley Davidson Sportster and going on bike runs. A friend to many, she enjoyed spending time with close friends, but wherever she went or whatever she did, she was sure to have her camera. Jennifer loved carrying on the tradition of going to breakfast every Sunday with family and enjoyed working at a young age and still helping out at the family restaurant, El Camino.

Since childhood, Shawn Barnes was one of Jennifer's best friends. And for over 15 years, Malta Goya and LaShonda were also longtime best friends. Jennifer loved each of them as if they were sisters. The companionship of family pets, especially her love of Jasper, her Jack Russell terrier, was very important to her.

Over the years, stories of Jennifer's "mishaps" in life brought many smiles. Although these circumstances weren't funny at the time, they were priceless to recall, like the time she chipped her tooth on her 16th birthday and when she burnt her cheek eating her favorite campfire treat, s'mores. Or the time she was waving her hand out the car window feeling the fresh breeze and a rock flew up, nearly breaking her knuckle. Big Bird always held a special place in her heart. As a child her parents had to drive the 30 miles back to her grandparents home after Jennifer left it there, crying until it was safely back in her arms. Even as an adult she loved Big Bird!

Jennifer Flores lived to the beat of her own and in life mixed her own colors of the rainbow, but "blue light" and pink were her favorites. She was never afraid of new adventures and always kept a smile on her face which could brighten a room. Although headstrong and opinionated at times, these very qualities made her strong of heart. Church was important in her life, and she was very open about her interest visiting various denominations of faith. Above all, she cherished special relationships with friends and loved being in the presence of family, but the happiness of her boys brought her the greatest contentment.

At the age of 35, Jennifer Michelle Guardiola-Flores died on Sunday, August 28, 2011. Jennifer was employed as a welder at Shape Corporation & also worked at Forrest Tax Services and CJ'S Bar & Grill. Determined, strong willed but most loving, Jennifer will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered in the hearts of those she leaves behind.

SURVIVORS: Her boys, Camren GrayScreetch, Eric GrayScreetch; parents, Raul and Olga Guardiola; siblings: Christopher (Becky) Guardiola, Miguel Guardiola, Vanessa Guardiola; grandmother, Frances Guardiola; a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins; father of her boys, Orantez GrayScreetch. She was preceded in death by her grandparents, George Guardiola, Raul and Conchita Rodriguez. SERVICE: Saturday, September 3, 2011, 1:00 PM at the Clock Chapel-Muskegon with Rev. Carlos Ramos officiating. Interment at Mona View Cemetery. VISITATION: Friday, 6-8 PM at Clock Life Story Funeral Home-Muskegon. MEMORIAL: To the family. Please visit www.clockfuneralhome.com to leave a favorite memory or photo of Jennifer or to sign her online guest book.