LAKE VIEW, N.Y. (WKBW) — Jenny Zuhlke is described as fun, exciting, and full of love.
The 37-year-old had just celebrated her birthday a week before being killed in a car crash in Hamburg on Wednesday morning.
Zuhlke worked at Lakeview Children's World Inc., where 7 News' Pheben Kassahun spoke with her closest peers and two of her bosses who thought of her as a daughter.
"Made an impact with families and with staff. She'll be greatly missed," said Lakeview Children's World Inc. owner Sandy Smith.
Zuhlke had a presence that could light up any room.
"Always laughing. The first thing I think about is her laugh. It's contagious, and it just makes the atmosphere here so much lighter and brighter," said close work friend Katie Miller.
"She's very loving to everybody. She's always making a presence in everybody's room," said close work friend Casandra Larson.
Having worked at Lakeview Children's World Inc. since 2014, Zuhlke had developed strong relationships with the families whose children she cared for.
Lakeview Children's World Inc. assistant director, Kathy Vasile, explained, "Children absolutely loved her. Jenny was the go-to. She made the transition for the parents so much easier. She continued to love those kids all the way through school. Most of our children stay with us from birth until they go off to kindergarten."
"I call her the baby whisperer because all the babies just love her, and even until they leave this building, they always go back to their Miss Jenny," Larson added. "She had some connection with the kids that I don't think anybody could really replace."
Described as the infant's second mother, Smith tells Kassahun that Zuhlke is irreplaceable.
"She loved life, and she loved her job. She was here for 10 years, every single day, full-time, and was a dedicated employee working in an infant classroom," Smith expressed.
Zuhlke was heading to work at the time of the crash.
The caretakers at Lakeview Children's World Inc. say it has been tough coming to terms with this tragedy.
