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Rachel Wray Funk Jenkins, died peacefully, Tuesday, June 4th in Haverford, PA. She was 98 years old. Rachel was born in Philadelphia and raised in Overbrook Park where she lived and cared for her mother, Mabel Wray until her passing. Her father, Elmer H. Funk, M.D., a noted professor at Jefferson Medical College, died suddenly when she was 6 yrs old. This loss helped Rachel form a special bond with her brother, E. Hendricks Funk, Jr. M.D., and led her to an early commitment to education and community service. Rachel was a graduate of The Baldwin School (’44), and the University of Pennsylvania (’48). A talented high school and collegiate athlete at a time when women’s sports were not acknowledged, Rachel was proud of having played on Baldwin’s all-star field hockey team and later captained Penn’s ’48 all American undefeated hockey team. After graduation, she served as a National Umpire for the U.S. Field Hockey and Women’s Lacrosse Associations and taught physical education at Penn for several years before returning to teach and coach at Baldwin. A dedicated alumna, she later served as Chair of the Baldwin Board of Trustees and was also inducted into Baldwin’s Athletic Hall of Fame. Rachel was honored and grateful to have lasting friendships with her students who kept in contact until her passing. After teaching, she worked with the Southeastern PA American Red Cross as Director of Youth Service until her retirement. Then, in 1989, a special Penn connection reappeared, and she married R. Stuart Jenkins, Esq, and moved to Radnor where she helped raise his three children, Mary Stuart, Anne, and David. In addition to serving on the Baldwin Alumni Board, Rachel was past Board Chair and member of the Contact Care Line. She was a past member of Merion Cricket Club and enjoyed tennis and squash. She was also a lifelong member of Overbrook Presbyterian and Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Churches serving in many positions. Rachel is survived by her niece, Ellen H. Funk, and her stepchildren, Mary Stuart Champion, Ann Taylor Rizzo, and David S.T. Jenkins. The family wishes to extend special thanks to Bonnie L. Ashby, M.D. for her years of friendship and medical care. Friends are invited to a Memorial service and reception at the Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church on Thursday September 26th beginning at 11 am. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Rachel Jenkins ’44 Scholar Athlete Fund, The Baldwin School, 701 Montgomery Ave, Bryn Mawr, PA 19010, Eugene C. Bay Fund, Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church, 625 Montgomery Ave, Bryn Mayr PA 19010 or the Elmer H. Funk Jr. MD Scholarship, Jefferson Office of Institutional Advancement, 1101 Market St, 22nd Fl, Philadelphia, PA 19107.

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Rachel Wray Funk Jenkins

May 5, 1926 - June 4, 2024