Jenna Clarice Burgener, 19

Jenna Clarice Burgener, 19, went to God, Friday, May 16, 2014, after a brief and loving life, interrupted by a tragic car accident in Paso Robles, California.

Jenna was born July 23, 1994, in San Luis Obispo, California. A Cambria, Calif., native, beautiful child and young woman, Jenna was a treasure to those who knew her. She touched everyone in her path with her genuine compassion for others, love of music, birds, and devotion to the beach and ocean. Jenna was a “natural” at anything she tried. She was a profoundly beautiful snow skier, an accomplished artist, loved animals and nature, had a wonderful singing voice, and a great sense of humor.

Jenna never really complained about anything, and rarely raised her voice. Many friends have said, “She lit up the room when she walked in, and if anyone was feeling sad, she would go to that person to try to help.”

As a baby, young child, and young adult, Jenna always amazed her family, as well as others, thus dubbed, “Jennamazing.” Jenna walked before she was 9 months old, and 'ran' everywhere afterwards. She wanted everything at once, and could never get enough of life and all the experiences it offered.

Jenna was on the cross country team for Lakes Middle School, and also assisted her mom for two seasons coaching her brother’s cross country team at Fernan Elementary – where all the kids adored her. She also babysat for the Harding Center during her middle school years.

Jenna, her mom Wendy, brother Quinn, and Wendy’s former husband and Jenna’s stepfather, Sam Wallin, moved to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, when Jenna was 10 years old. After graduating from high school, Jenna worked in her mom’s business, as well as some barista work and for Center Partners in Liberty Lake, Wash.

Always homesick for the beach and the ocean, Jenna and her mom drove back to their hometown of Cambria this past February where Jenna lived for 4 months prior to her accident. There, Jenna quickly re-established close relationships with those who had known her since her toddler years.

At the time of Jenna’s passing, she was working joyfully as a barista at a coffee house in Paso Robles, planning to attend Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, Calif., to become a certified Nursing Assistant, planning her life and preparing for adulthood. Jenna was looking forward to having a family someday.

Everyone who knew Jenna is heartbroken by her sudden loss.

“Jenna Benna,” “Jenna Bird,” “Jennamazing,” “Jenna Clarice,” “Sissie,” and mom’s “Golden Girl,” is survived by her mother, Wendy Burgener Wallin; brother, Quinn Wallin; former stepfather, Sam Wallin; Wendy’s fiancé, Joe Spry, and his daughter, Laney Spry (whom Jenna considered her sister); uncle, Rex Walters (Erica Schaffer) of Santa Cruz, Calif., father, Greg Burgener (Sandra Contri-Burgener), of Cambria, Calif., stepsister, Chris Contri-Nelson; and many more close and loving friends, mostly in Cambria, Calif., and Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

A Celebration of Life is planned for Jenna’s birthday this summer up at her home in Wolf Lodge. Please refer to Jenna’s Facebook page for details closer to the date. A memorial was held in Cambria, Calif., and cremation has taken place.

Jenna was not wearing her seat belt and would have lived if she had she been, according to Detective Nichols, San Luis Obispo county coroner. Please wear your seat belt – always.