Jennifer McMasters Vann 1967-2020

Jennifer was born in Youngstown on Nov. 14, 1967, the daughter of David A. McMasters and Carol Holtzman McMasters. Jennifer was a 1986 graduate of Springfield Local High School, where she was a member of the National Honor Society, a prom court attendant and editor of the school newspaper.

In 1990, she graduated from the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism at Ohio University. She was employed at HistoryNet as the art director for their America’s Civil War and Civil War Times magazines. She was also highly regarded for her freelance design work for a number of organizations. Jennifer loved photography, art, concerts, traveling, good wine and the OU Bobcats. She loved and cared about her family, her friends and her coworkers.

She leaves to cherish her memory, her parents, Carol and John Beard of New Middletown; her husband, Stephen Vann of Purcellville, Va.; her sister, Beth McMasters of Abingdon, Md.; her stepbrother, John T. Beard (Jill Damiano) of Springfield Township; her stepsister, Lisa Major of Struthers; and a stepson, Christopher Vann and five grandchildren of Virginia. She also leaves numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and her beloved rescue dog, Mia.

She was preceded in death by her father, David McMasters; her maternal grandparents, George and Jennie Holtzman; and her paternal grandparents, Russell and Eleanor McMasters, and Arthur and Elizabeth Beard.

On Oct. 17, 2020, a memorial Yoshino Cherry tree was planted at the Virginia State Arboretum, followed by a Celebration of Life at Sunset Hills Vineyard. A similar memorial tree planting and Celebration of Life will be held locally in the spring of 2021.

Monetary donations can be made to Carol Beard to be put towards a Springfield Local High School Scholarship in honor of Jennifer.

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