PORT ANGELES — Jennifer Danielle Pimentel was remembered Saturday as a giving, strong-willed woman who easily earned the admiration of those she met.
About 350 people attended the funeral for the murdered 27-year-old woman at Bethany Pentecostal Church before she was laid to rest at Ocean View Cemetery.
Port Angeles police said Jennifer Pimentel was strangled to death Oct. 9 at the hands of Kevin A. Bradfield, who has been charged with second-degree murder.
But she was remembered at the service by how she lived: whole-heartedly and generously.
She would sing like she thought she was Whitney Houston and give like she needed nothing, friends and family recalled.
“When I sing, I cry, because it’s hard,” said one of her sisters, Kiana Pimentel.
Pastor Omer Vigoren read a statement from her father, Henry Pimentel, that recalled how she loved animals and swimming and would start her mornings by texting loved ones, “Good morning y’all. Text me later.”
She also was sure of herself and would never back down from an argument, another sister, Naveire Pimentel, said.
“No one could prove her wrong or bring her down,” she said.
“And even though others may say she’s different,” continued Naveire, referring to her sister’s developmental disability, “I never once looked into her eyes and saw less of a person.”
Several people wept as her casket was carried out while “Amazing Grace” was played on bagpipes.
Family and friends made clear, through their words and other gestures, that Jennifer would not be forgotten.
Three people, including her cousin Richard Taylor, came to the funeral with fresh tattoos in her remembrance.
“She’s not just my little cousin,” he said while showing the forearm tattoo, depicting her favorite Beanie Baby and the date of her death.
“She was like my sister.”
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Reporter Tom Callis can be reached at 360-417-3532 or at tom.callis@peninsuladailynews.com.