Jeannine "Jaja" Toebbe Omohundro

Jeannine Toebbe Omohundro, lovingly known to most as “Jaja” and to her husband as “Queenie,” entered eternal life on Saturday, September 13, 2025, in Lexington, Kentucky, at the age of 89. She was born on June 20, 1936, in Covington, Kentucky, to William Henry Toebbe and Josephine Bernadine Kampsen. 

 

Raised in a bustling, faith-filled family, Jeannine was one of ten children. She was preceded in death by her parents and siblings, Mary Joe Maytum, Mildred Edmonds, Helen Gough, Frank Toebbe, Leo Toebbe, Bill Toebbe, and Don Toebbe. She is survived by her sisters, Betty Kuhlman and Margie (Don) Unkraut, and her sister- and brother-in-law, Carol and John Melton. 

 

On November 21, 1959, Jeannine married the love of her life, James Francis Omohundro, a proud Navy veteran who served as a radarman aboard the U.S.S. Salem. Beyond his service, James was a gifted artist whose creativity and vision were encouraged and celebrated by Jeannine throughout their life together. Side by side, they built a home anchored in love, faith, beauty, and family until his passing. 

 

She is survived by her devoted children: Leslie Omohundro Bruner, Dawn Michelle Omohundro, and James Vincent Omohundro, all of Lexington; Douglas Montgomery (Sherie) Omohundro and John Burwell Omohundro, both of Versailles. Her greatest joy was being “Jaja” to her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who were the heart of her life. Her grandchildren include Raleigh James (Ryan Girves, fiancé) Bruner, Michelle Renee (Scott) Fisk, Benjamin Douglas Craig Bruner, Blake Nathanial John (Erin) Bruner, Candace Jeannine Rosalie (Will) Greene, Elisabeth Jessamine (Adam) Dials, Alexandra Lynn (Alan) Penney, and Hunter Douglas (Alauna Anderson, fiancée) Omohundro. Her beloved great-grandchildren are Anastasia Rosalie Fisk, Alessandra Renee Fisk, Gabriel James Fisk, Juliette Hope Bruner, Roman Xavier Bruner, Cosette Desmarais Bruner, Cade Christopher Bruner, Livy Joelle Bruner, Sterling Herbert Dials, Juniper Rose Dials, Denton Montgomery Penney, Dawson Hunter Omohundro, and Tucker Hayes Omohundro. She also leaves behind a host of beloved nieces and nephews and precious Godchildren.  

 

As a child, Jeannine cultivated a tender devotion to Jesus, a deep reverence for His mother Mary, and a love for the saints, all nurtured by her parents’ faithful example. Catholicism was not just a part of her life, it was her life. She led with prayer, lived with trust in God, and passed on to her family the treasures of faith, hope, and love. 

 

She grew up in Covington, where she cherished outings to Cincinnati Reds games with her father and sisters, often returning home with prized autographs. She attended St. Augustine Catholic School and Notre Dame Academy before earning a bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Kentucky. She later worked at UK in the College of Interior Design, where her creativity and grace touched colleagues and students alike. 

 

Faith, family, and tradition were the cornerstones of her life. A devout member of Mary Queen of the Holy Rosary Church, Jeannine prayed the rosary and attended mass faithfully. She was deeply patriotic, proud of her brothers who served in World War II, and she guided her family with strength, compassion, and unwavering devotion. 

 

She was a gifted seamstress, a talented pianist, and a tender caretaker of her flower garden.  Her love for interior design, the holidays, and family gatherings made every event warm and memorable. For more than five decades, she looked forward to annual camping reunions at Kincaid Lake, where family bonds deepened around campfires and laughter. She was happiest when rocking babies, holding her grandchildren, or gently reminding loved ones to turn to their Guardian Angel for guidance and protection. Her famous stacked Jell-O salad was a beloved staple at every holiday table. 

 

Jaja’s home was always open, a place of comfort and peace where everyone knew they belonged. She loved to play solitaire, bridge, canasta and enjoyed the camaraderie of her friends. She was a peacemaker, a gardener, and, above all, the matriarch of her family. To her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, she leaves behind the example of a life lived with dignity, devotion, and unconditional love. 

 

She is also remembered with affection by her lifelong best friends Margie and Phil Annis, Leigh Gaines and Christopher Annis, as well as her University of Kentucky colleagues Terry Rothgeb and Kevin Horn-Pacheco. 

 

Though her earthly journey is complete, Jeannine’s legacy is eternal: “Be strong in your faith, have confidence in God, and show up for your family.” She will be remembered as a generous, gentle, faithful, and loving woman who loved without condition and now takes her place as the heavenly matriarch of her family. 

 

Service Information 

 

Visitation will begin at 9:00 AM, followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 AM on Thursday, September 18th, at Mary Queen of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 601 Hill N Dale Road, Lexington, KY 40503. A reception will be held from 11:00 AM–12:30 PM, with burial to follow at 1:30 PM at Camp Nelson National Cemetery. 

 

Memorial donations may be made in her honor to the Father Norman Fischer Scholarship Fund at Lexington Catholic High School, which helps provide Catholic Christian education to students with financial need, or to Kentucky Right to Life, supporting the protection and dignity of all human life. 

https://www.lexingtoncatholic.com/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=416705&type=d&pREC_ID=2597111 

https://kyrighttolife.org/about/ 

 

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” 2 Timothy 4:7 

 

“Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.” Proverbs 31:28 

 

Click this link to watch her memorial slideshow.