FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED FUNERAL HOMES SINCE 1881
| Jennifer Elizabeth Haughton |
| August 25, 1971 - August 10, 2025 |
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Public Events and LocationsVisitation - Monday, August 18, 2025, 9:30 to 10:20 AM at St. Cecilia Church, PhiladelphiaFuneral Mass - Monday, August 18, 2025, 10:30 AM at St. Cecilia Church, Philadelphia Graveside Service - Monday, August 18, 2025, 12:00 PM at Resurrection Cemetery, Bensalem |
ContactsFuneral Home - Wetzel and Son Funeral Home - 419 Huntingdon Pike, Rockledge, PA 19046 - 215-663-8550 - Map |
| Clergy - St. Cecilia Church - 535 Rhawn Street, Philadelphia, PA 19111 - 215-725-1240 - Map |
| Cemetery - Resurrection Cemetery - 5201 Hulmeville Road, Bensalem, PA 19020 - 215-639-0965 - Map |
| Family Florist - Domenic Graziano Flowers & Gifts - 73 York Road, Warminster, PA 18974 - 215-355-1550 - Map |
| Donation - Adoption Center - 1735 Market Street Suite 125, #441, Philadelphia, PA 19103 - 215-735-9988 - Map |
The following was written by Jennifer’s family.
Jennifer Elizabeth Haughton (Eardley) of Philadelphia, PA, passed away at the age of 53, on August 10th, 2025. She was surrounded by family at her last moments in the hospital.
Jennifer was born August 25th, 1971 to John M. Eardley and Elizabeth R. Eardley (Henderson) in South Philadelphia. She is the younger sister of John Eardley Jr. and Joseph Eardley Sr. She married Brian P. Haughton on November 11, 2000, and is the mother of Sarah E. Haughton.
She attended St. Monica’s grade school and graduated from St. Maria Goretti high school in 1989. She received some college credits from the Community College of Philadelphia.
Jennifer started her career in Philadelphia Family Court in 1993 as a Judicial Secretary for the Honorable Nicholas A. Cipriani. Judge Cipriani treated Jennifer like a daughter and instilled in her a commitment to public service and a love of the law, which continued throughout her 30-year career at Family Court. She furthered her role in Family Court working in the Adoptions Unit and Family Court Appeals Unit, where she was both dedicated, and respected by her colleagues, working closely with judges, attorneys and the public, which often included families who were struggling through emotional legal matters.
She was promoted into a supervisory position of the Appeals Unit (and continued to provide assistance to the Adoption Unit) as a Court Administrative Officer III. Jennifer was known for her diligence and attention to details, and for the tremendous patience and sensitivity she demonstrated while working with families. Jennifer was often called upon for assignments outside of her stated job responsibilities, and she was always available to assist her coworkers. Jennifer's devoted service continued after work hours at home when she routinely read case law and pending legislation so that she could better understand and prepare her units for changes in the law. Jennifer's dedication to her career showed through her careful review of case details, her dedication to making her units run efficiently, and her empathy in working with the public. On many occasions she came home with thank you cards and handwritten notes from parents she helped with obtaining an adoption, or from a mother in great need of guidance regarding court procedures.
She met her future husband, a fellow court employee at the time, on the steps of the old 1801 Vine Street Courthouse.
They raised their daughter Sarah Elizabeth in the Fox Chase section of Northeast Philadelphia. Jennifer’s pride and joy was her love for her family, with great focus and care for making sure Sarah and Brian had a loving and well-maintained home. In addition, she cherished providing love and affection to her several nieces and nephews. Jennifer loved having the opportunity to experience different breweries around the tri-state area with her beloved husband and days spent shopping, cooking and being on the beach with her closest friend, her daughter. Trips to Florida, Virginia and the New England area with her family were some of her fondest memories. Thanksgiving Day festivities were always her specialty for immediate and extended family; her home was the gathering location for the large meal. Cooking was one of her greatest passions in life. She would always find a new recipe to try, whether it was found in a cookbook, Allrecipes.com, or a food magazine. Jennifer’s compassion for the homeless in center city Philadelphia was well known. On her walks from the train station to the courthouse, there were many grateful recipients that enjoyed a hot coffee or breakfast sandwich, in lieu of a gift of cash. Also notable was the yeoman’s job she did to arrange entertainment, food and gifts for the annual National Adoption Day held at Family Court. A favorite treat for the kids and families was the large popcorn machine she always rented for the event.
Somers Point and Ocean City, New Jersey, were both thought of as her “happy places” and walks on the beach with Teddy, the family beagle-basset, while collecting seashells were considered priceless.
Sadly, Jennifer was diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer in the summer of 2022. She fought valiantly in this battle for three years with barely a complaint and soldiered on until the end. She always had a smile on her face to show her family she would never give up. Jennifer was truly “South Philly tough”.
In the hospital ICU on the day of her passing, there was much heartache for the family and friends present by her bedside. Yet there was cause for great comfort that night. She held on several hours waiting for the arrival of her daughter who was returning from a long-distance trip. Sarah arrived to see her mother one more time before she peacefully went home to God in heaven shortly thereafter.
She is survived by her family, her friends, and those her knew her and loved her. She was an important figure in many lives, and her memory will live on in many lives to come.
Relatives and friends were invited to her visitation on Monday, August 18, 2025 from 9:30 to 10:20 A.M. and Funeral Mass at 10:30 A.M. at St. Cecilia Church, 535 Rhawn Street, Philadelphia, PA 19111. Her graveside service followed at Resurrection Cemetery, 5201 Hulmeville Road, Bensalem, PA 19020.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to Adoption Center, 1735 Market Street Suite 125, #441, Philadelphia, PA 19103.
Family flowers arranged by Domenic Graziano Flowers & Gifts 215-355-1550.
www.wetzelandson.com
Jennifer Elizabeth Haughton (Eardley) of Philadelphia, PA, passed away at the age of 53, on August 10th, 2025. She was surrounded by family at her last moments in the hospital.
Jennifer was born August 25th, 1971 to John M. Eardley and Elizabeth R. Eardley (Henderson) in South Philadelphia. She is the younger sister of John Eardley Jr. and Joseph Eardley Sr. She married Brian P. Haughton on November 11, 2000, and is the mother of Sarah E. Haughton.
She attended St. Monica’s grade school and graduated from St. Maria Goretti high school in 1989. She received some college credits from the Community College of Philadelphia.
Jennifer started her career in Philadelphia Family Court in 1993 as a Judicial Secretary for the Honorable Nicholas A. Cipriani. Judge Cipriani treated Jennifer like a daughter and instilled in her a commitment to public service and a love of the law, which continued throughout her 30-year career at Family Court. She furthered her role in Family Court working in the Adoptions Unit and Family Court Appeals Unit, where she was both dedicated, and respected by her colleagues, working closely with judges, attorneys and the public, which often included families who were struggling through emotional legal matters.
She was promoted into a supervisory position of the Appeals Unit (and continued to provide assistance to the Adoption Unit) as a Court Administrative Officer III. Jennifer was known for her diligence and attention to details, and for the tremendous patience and sensitivity she demonstrated while working with families. Jennifer was often called upon for assignments outside of her stated job responsibilities, and she was always available to assist her coworkers. Jennifer's devoted service continued after work hours at home when she routinely read case law and pending legislation so that she could better understand and prepare her units for changes in the law. Jennifer's dedication to her career showed through her careful review of case details, her dedication to making her units run efficiently, and her empathy in working with the public. On many occasions she came home with thank you cards and handwritten notes from parents she helped with obtaining an adoption, or from a mother in great need of guidance regarding court procedures.
She met her future husband, a fellow court employee at the time, on the steps of the old 1801 Vine Street Courthouse.
They raised their daughter Sarah Elizabeth in the Fox Chase section of Northeast Philadelphia. Jennifer’s pride and joy was her love for her family, with great focus and care for making sure Sarah and Brian had a loving and well-maintained home. In addition, she cherished providing love and affection to her several nieces and nephews. Jennifer loved having the opportunity to experience different breweries around the tri-state area with her beloved husband and days spent shopping, cooking and being on the beach with her closest friend, her daughter. Trips to Florida, Virginia and the New England area with her family were some of her fondest memories. Thanksgiving Day festivities were always her specialty for immediate and extended family; her home was the gathering location for the large meal. Cooking was one of her greatest passions in life. She would always find a new recipe to try, whether it was found in a cookbook, Allrecipes.com, or a food magazine. Jennifer’s compassion for the homeless in center city Philadelphia was well known. On her walks from the train station to the courthouse, there were many grateful recipients that enjoyed a hot coffee or breakfast sandwich, in lieu of a gift of cash. Also notable was the yeoman’s job she did to arrange entertainment, food and gifts for the annual National Adoption Day held at Family Court. A favorite treat for the kids and families was the large popcorn machine she always rented for the event.
Somers Point and Ocean City, New Jersey, were both thought of as her “happy places” and walks on the beach with Teddy, the family beagle-basset, while collecting seashells were considered priceless.
Sadly, Jennifer was diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer in the summer of 2022. She fought valiantly in this battle for three years with barely a complaint and soldiered on until the end. She always had a smile on her face to show her family she would never give up. Jennifer was truly “South Philly tough”.
In the hospital ICU on the day of her passing, there was much heartache for the family and friends present by her bedside. Yet there was cause for great comfort that night. She held on several hours waiting for the arrival of her daughter who was returning from a long-distance trip. Sarah arrived to see her mother one more time before she peacefully went home to God in heaven shortly thereafter.
She is survived by her family, her friends, and those her knew her and loved her. She was an important figure in many lives, and her memory will live on in many lives to come.
Relatives and friends were invited to her visitation on Monday, August 18, 2025 from 9:30 to 10:20 A.M. and Funeral Mass at 10:30 A.M. at St. Cecilia Church, 535 Rhawn Street, Philadelphia, PA 19111. Her graveside service followed at Resurrection Cemetery, 5201 Hulmeville Road, Bensalem, PA 19020.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to Adoption Center, 1735 Market Street Suite 125, #441, Philadelphia, PA 19103.
Family flowers arranged by Domenic Graziano Flowers & Gifts 215-355-1550.
www.wetzelandson.com
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