Jennifer Murnahan

Jennifer Smith Murnahan Kaczor died at her home in Grand Rapids, Michigan on October 13, 2021, where she spent her final days surrounded by her loving husband and family. 

She was born July 16, 1970 in Jackson, Mississippi to Layton Jager Smith and the late Margaret Whitfield Smith.  She was graduated from Jackson Preparatory School where she excelled.  She followed a long family tradition by attending Auburn University, where she received her degree in International Business and German.  She then earned her Juris Doctorate degree from Vanderbilt University in 1995.

Jennifer worked as an assistant United States attorney in Birmingham, Alabama, and most recently in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where she was the supervisor of the Financial Litigation Unit for the Western District of Michigan. 

She was brilliant, quick-witted, and funny.  She was a fast friend, and devoted daughter, sister, and aunt.   She loved fine wine and was a voracious reader.  And she loved her three cats, even though they don’t love each other.

Jennifer was blessed in 2017 to marry Dave Kaczor, who cared for her throughout her long struggle with angiosarcoma.  She joked that they spent their honeymoon at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. 

Jennifer was preceded in death by her mother, Margaret Whitfield Smith.  She is survived by her husband, Dave Kaczor of Grand Rapids, Michigan, her father, Layton Smith (Pat) of Pearl, Mississippi, brother Jager Smith (Janet) of Brandon, Mississippi, sister Allison Smith Myers (Mike) of Pearl, Mississippi, her five nieces and nephews whom she adored, her step-children Matt Kaczor (Amy) of Alexander, Arkansas, Jessie Steed-Montagne (Paul) of Chicago, Illinois, Kyle Kaczor of Grand Rapids, Michigan, and Kelsey Kaczor of Okemos, Michigan, and grandchildren Aiden and Madden Kaczor, and numerous loving friends and relatives.

A celebration of Jennifer's life will be held in Grand Rapids on a date to be determined.  A memorial service will also be held in Jennifer’s hometown of Jackson, Mississippi on a date to be determined.

Donations may be made in her memory to Angiosarcoma Awareness, www.cureasc.org.

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