Nicholas J. Jennings, age 21 of East Helena

On February 5, 2021, Nicholas James Jennings passed away in his home in East Helena.  Nick was born to Keith and Margaret Jennings on January 7, 2000.  He graduated from Helena High School in 2018 and was working at American Chemet at the time of his death.

Nick and Marcy Atwood spent the last few years of Nick’s life together.  Marcy and Nick complemented each other well and brought even more joy and laughter to our home as a couple.  Marcy was always a good sport and had so much patience for Nick’s shenanigans.

Nick purchased his first home entirely on his own at age 20 and took great pride in entertaining all guests that came through his door.  He set his eyes on something and made it happen, and purchasing his new home at such a young age was just one of the many ways he proved that he was unstoppable.

His quick wit and practical joking were part of Nick’s charm. It did not take long to recognize that Nick’s main role in the family was to be the clown. His humor, although sometimes inappropriate and often ill-timed, left the biggest impression.  Sifting through the countless “Nick stories” in search of some appropriate for an obituary, was quite an experience!

Nick was an amazing cook.  He loved to feed people and was exceptional at it! He started young and loved to be in the kitchen helping.  He would be shirtless, with an apron on, still in diapers, sitting on the stool, asking for the next chore he could work on to assist with the meal, or cake, or cookies.  One of his signature dishes was his “God Nachos.”  He perfected these cheesy, bacon/chicken nachos by middle school and when asked why he called them “God Nachos”, he said “Well, I figured if God were coming over to dinner, this is what I would make him, because it’s one of the best things I make!”

Nick made the Thanksgiving pies for the family for years, and they were so pretty and delicious that they could make Martha Stewart cry herself to sleep at night.  But there were so many unbelievable dishes that he prepared and served to each family member as we waited impatiently to try his newest creation.

He aspired to be a chef and dreamed of opening a restaurant when he got older. He said he planned to serve day old spaghetti because that’s how he liked it best.  He wanted to call his restaurant “Nick’s Old Spaghetti”, but later found out he may have to rename it because “Old Spaghetti Factory” was already taken. He even registered to attend college, but bailed out at the last minute, indicating he didn’t want to ruin it – – cooking was his passion, and he didn’t want to do it for a living because he feared he would stop loving it so much.

Nick was a man of many trades. He helped “birth” the puppies from the litter of his “foolish” older brother Keifer’s dog. Nicholas took much pride in the fact that on the car ride to the vet he “gave birth” to the first of the litter, who he named “Richard Jennings” or “Richie.” It was love at first sight.  Nick staked claim to Richie and insisted we keep him since they had this connection.  Richie will miss Nick dearly.  Nicholas also loved his puppies Penny and Cleo (aka, Rubber Dog), and he and Marcy spoiled them rotten too!

Nick must have known early on that he was going to be a middle child so began making his mark on the world early with his-larger-than-life personality and nonstop pranks.  He was always scheming. At a young age, he was spotted sitting at the counter, sucking the color off the Nerds candy and setting them aside to dry.  When mom and dad asked Nick what he was doing he said, “These look like teeth without the color on them and if I put a few under my pillow every night, I am going to make so much money from the Tooth Fairy!!”.  When asked what he would do when the Tooth Fairy figured out he didn’t have that many teeth, he said it was still worth a try and tucked a couple under his pillow that night.  He did make a few bucks for the effort, but the Tooth Fairy left him a note (per usual in the Jennings home), and gently let him know that he/she was onto him. Nick was always fiscally minded. In middle school he changed his signature and printed name to use the “cents” symbol in place of the “c” in “Nick”. He also loved to collect pennies.

In high school Nick crafted a professional-looking sticker to paste on the manual paper towel dispenser saying “Automated.  Say ‘Towel Please’ to dispense.” He would sit in a stall and listen to people come in, wash hands, and say “Towel Please” to the paper towel dispenser repeatedly, with growing frustration, while Nick giggled quietly at their expense.

He and his friend Nick Foster somehow got the school to switch their names on their student ID’s, causing all sorts of confusion for absences, tardiness, etc.  They would torment the substitute teachers by purposely getting in trouble in class and letting the substitute report the wrong Nick.  By the time their moms figured out what was going on, they were graduating.

The family practice is to place the newest school photos on top of the previous year’s school photo for each kid’s photo frame, so there would be a collection through the years for each kid, by year.  Nick once removed four of his own photos and placed them on top of his siblings’ most recent photos in the frames, so the only class photos hanging in the hallway were of Nick.  When it was finally discovered and the siblings were up in arms about it, Nick sat back, observing, quietly giggling, saying “Guess we know who the favorite is!”

Nick was a very thoughtful, loving, HUGE-hearted young man who left an impression on everyone he met.  He loved his family deeply.  Some of his favorite moments were teasing his baby sister nonstop or harmoniously painting with her.  He also loved game nights with his brothers and annual hunting trips with his brothers and uncles.  He adored his nephews and kept their mother on her toes by teasing her relentlessly as well.  He would show up to the Jackson’s house to visit his little cousins and would sit at their family table to enjoy their company and whatever sweets he brought them.  He would even indulge sweet Abby and play Barbies if she requested; he couldn’t say no to her.  The older cousins he loved to banter with and tease, like he did his uncles.  Nick always had a hug and a smile for his aunties.  No matter what he was going through, he made sure to redirect his energy to give a word of encouragement, open a door for someone, or crack a joke.  His humor was as large and as impressive as his depth of intelligence and insight into anything from history to current events, politics and conspiracy theories. At one point, Nick spent an hour attempting to convince his nephew that the government was ran by “lizard people” and his sister (his nephew’s mother) is still trying to explain that one away!

Nick had a heart too big for this world, a mind too vast for books (though he read countless), and a dedication that would inspire our founding fathers. Nick was much more than a man, he was a scholar and more importantly a leader for his siblings, older and younger. He was a national treasure that many have grown to depend on.  I pray for our Lord’s sake that there are no politics in heaven, because if there is, He is in for an absolute treat!

Nick will be missed beyond measure.  The stories and the laughter (through painful tears), that have generated from family and friends since Nick’s passing speak highly to the caliber of man he was.  Our family will forever be changed and disheartened for the loss of Nicholas, but we are also changed because of the beautiful impact he had on our lives.  We will always be grateful for the 21 years we had with him.

Nick is survived by his parents, Keith Jennings, Jr., and Margaret (Ahern) Jennings, as well as his siblings Keith Jennings III, Megan James (Bradley Leggitt), Paul Jennings and Faith Jennings; nephews Brantley James and Booker Leggitt, and grandparents Keith and Rennay Jennings, aunts and uncles including Jim and Carla Ahern, Tim Ahern, Daniel Ahern, Matthew Ahern, Mike and Annamaria Ahern, Vaughn and Jennifer Cordell, Debbie Munson, Tony Roybal, Clay and Anne Edinger, Chris and Mary Emmons, Brian and Elizabeth Jackson, Patti Burggraff, numerous cousins including Chris (Sam) Ahern, Stephanie (David) Plymale, Jacob Ahern (Wynter Banks), Jessica (Daigo) Yammamura, Bethany Cordell (Sam Green), Duncan and Isabelle Cordell, Shannon Roybal, Garrett Edinger, Grace, Ella, Andrew, Caleb Emmons,  Joshua, Joseph, Abigail, Isaac and Oliver Jackson, Christian and Andrew Ahern, Kodi (Jesse) Ramirez, Erin (Cody) Winters, Taylor Burggraff, and great cousins Gus and Maverick Ahern, Eris Yammamura, Charlie Plymale, Jasmine, Destiny, Jesse Jr. Preston and Parker Ramirez.  Nick is also survived by his loving girlfriend, Marcy Atwood.  Nick left behind countless friends and extended family members who admired and loved him.  He is preceded in death by his grandparents, James and Judith Ahern and cousin Benjamin Cordell.

There are no words to express our gratitude to friends and family who have fed us, sat with us, cried with us and for us, sent messages, cards, prayers, and supported us in the countless loving ways since Nick’s death.

The rosary will be prayed at 11:30 a.m. with a funeral Mass be celebrated at noon on Friday, February 12^th at SS Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church, 120 W. Riggs Street East Helena. Rite of Committal will follow the Mass at Resurrection Cemetery.  A reception will follow the graveside service at Lakeside on Hauser, 5295 York Road.

Service Schedule

Rosary

11:30 a.m.

Friday February 12, 2021

SS Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church

120 West Riggs Street

East Helena, Montana 59635

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Funeral Mass

12:00 p.m.

Friday February 12, 2021

SS Cyril and Methodius

120 West Riggs Street

Helena, Montana 59602

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Rite of Committal

Following the Funeral Mass

Friday February 12, 2021

Resurrection Cemetery

N. Montana Ave

Helena, Montana 59602

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Reception

Following the Rite of Committal

Friday February 12, 2021

Lakeside on Hauser

5295 York Road

Helena, Montana 59601

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