Friends and family will remember Jessica Pfeifer as a selfless, adventurous young woman whose passion was in helping others.

Pfeifer was an avid member of the Syracuse University and the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry’s national co-educational service fraternity Alpha Phi Omega for two years.

‘Jess was always involved, always there, always participating in projects, always willing to lend a hand,’ said Lynne Mowers, one of two advisers for APO.

The senior forest and natural resources management major at ESF died April 19 at Crouse Hospital. Friends and family say they will remember her as an exorbitantly happy and vivacious woman.

Pfeifer’s selfless nature and giving attitude is just one small part of the young woman that Mowers will remember.

‘She never, ever turned somebody away if they needed something,’ Mowers said. ‘Jess was one of those people that if something was bothering you, she sort of tuned into it. And without you even realizing it, she would make you feel better.’

Pfeifer’s caring attitude was reflected this semester when she was willing to take on two ‘littles’ within her fraternity because of the large size of this year’s pledge class, Mowers said.

One of Pfeifer’s ‘littles’ was Christos Koutsourades, a sophomore psychology major. After transferring to SU at the beginning of this semester, Koutsourades said Pfeifer was the first person he got to know at the university.

‘She took me under her wing with pretty much anything she did,’ he said. ‘She introduced me to her friends. She was always there for me.’

Pfeifer always brought out the best in people and had a way of making everyone around her feel at ease, Koutsourades said.

‘She was always herself. She was always spontaneous, creative, the center of attention, loud, beautiful and fun,’ he said.

Pfeifer’s mother, Joann Pfeifer, said in an email that Pfeifer was bold, vivacious, spunky and creative. ‘If she felt there was an injustice, she was relentless in fighting for the cause. Jess was sentimental and loving,’ she said.

Pfeifer loved the outdoors, Joann Pfeifer said. She was certified in fighting forest fires and scuba diving. Her mother said Pfeifer also loved taking pictures and reading.

Upon graduating, Pfeifer planned to either move to Boston and work until she got a job in her field, or move to Colorado where she hoped to get a position at a national park, Joann Pfeifer said.

‘Jessie believed that everyone had the right to be who they were. She celebrated differences in others,’ Joann Pfeifer said.

Pfeifer played rugby for four years at Unionville High School in Unionville, Pa., close to her hometown of Kennett Square. She was one of the founding members of the girls’ varsity rugby program at the high school, former head coach Kim Daly said in an email.

Pfeifer was a valuable asset, both on and off team, Daly said.

‘In any sport, most athletes specialize in mastering one position, maybe two. Not Jessie. Of the 15 set positions in rugby – each distinctly different, with its own specific skill set – we would regularly call on Jessie to play any one of a half dozen of those positions, often with very little advance notice. We knew we could count on Jess to unflinchingly and reliably step in wherever we needed her.’

It was this kind of versatility and willing attitude that helped lead Pfeifer’s high school rugby team finish its season as one of the top four teams in the state in 2008, Pfeifer’s senior year, Daly said.

Daly said she’s coached many players throughout the years, and there are always a few students who stand out as being exceptionally talented. Pfeifer was one of those students, she said.

Maureen Finn, a junior television, radio and film major and member of APO, said she approached anything Pfeifer did with a radiant amount of energy and joy.

‘In all of my memories of her, she was such a welcoming person,’ Finn said. ‘She was always willing to help, always willing to step up.’

Pfeifer’s infectious attitude was one that moved everyone around her, Finn said. ‘I just picture her smile,’ she said. ‘It was just contagious.’

There is a box located at 110 Bray Hall on the ESF campus for anyone who would like to put a card or a letter in it for Pfeifer’s family. All cards must be deposited into the box by May 3. ESF officials who are attending Pfeifer’s services will be taking the box down to her family.

Pfeifer’s services will be held May 5 at 11 a.m. at the Westminster Presbyterian Church in West Chester, Pa.

snbouvia@syr.edu 

Published on April 26, 2012 at 12:00 pm

Contact Stephanie: snbouvia@syr.edu | @snbouvia