Marquette student Jennifer Chataigne died unexpectedly Saturday at age 22. Chataigne, who was entering her fifth year in the College of Communication, was involved in Marquette’s Choir and Theatre Departments and worked as a tour guide in the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.

Friends and colleagues describe Chataigne as a welcoming face with an open heart who always had the time to listen.

Matt Wickey, a senior in the College of Communication, met Chataigne three years ago through the Marquette Theatre Department, where they worked together on productions such as “The Winter’s Tale” and “The Cherry Orchard.” Wickey, who will serve as a pallbearer at Chataigne’s funeral today, said the two of them shared a love of movies and music, particularly jazz.

Wickey said Chataigne had a calming nature that made her easy to talk to, no matter the topic.

“She was a very down-to-earth person who you could talk to about anything, and there was never any judging,” Wickey said. “She was OK with who she was, and she was OK with who you were.”

Leah Strong, an admissions counselor in the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, oversaw Chataigne during her two-and-a-half years working as a tour guide. Strong agreed Chataigne had a friendly, outgoing personality that made others instantly feel at ease.

“She was just so full of energy and life, and really personable,” Strong said. “Families felt really comfortable with her on tours.”

Strong said even though she is gone, Chataigne’s impact will be felt on campus in the numerous students she helped draw to Marquette.

“She strived to make people feel welcomed and to relate to them, and that’s something that’s really important when families are visiting Marquette’s campus — making them feel like they could belong,” she said.

A celebration of Chataigne’s life was planned for today at 9:15 a.m. beginning at the Countryside Funeral Home and Crematory in her hometown of Bartlett, Ill.