G. Jeane Altare GilBhrighde

G. Jeane Chaffin - Altare - GilBhrighde (or Doctor Jennie), 65, passed away on her 65th birthday, December 12th, 2025, at Bower's House Hospice, Beckley, WV after a short and aggressive battle with cancer.

Jennie was born and raised in Bluefield, WV to Myrtle Louise Stewart and Donald Chaffin on December 12th, 1960. She graduated from Graham High School in 1978 before starting her educational career in nursing and care-giving.

Jennie married Richard Altare on their family farm in Hinton, West Virginia in 1989 where they settled to raise their family. Jennie worked for many years with the wonderful and loving staff of Summers County ARH as a home health nurse before returning to the field of high education at both Concord College and Mountain State University where she earned her pre-med degree in Biology (2002), summa cum laude.

The first of her family to seek an advanced degree, Jennie graduated with the first class of doctors from Virginia's College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2007. While her residency and internships took her to many beautiful parts of the country, she ultimately returned to Southern West Virginia to use her education and skills to be a palliative care specialist.

She started her career with Bower's House as their Director. Her heart and soul thrived most when helping families and loved ones understand and accept the painful, difficult, and hard journey at life's end. Later, she spent several years working with the National Institute of Health in Washington, D.C. to assist in the research and development of treatment methods for end of life care. She ultimately returned to Hinton, WV when the beloved Dr. Shammaa passed, assisting his son, Sharif with the continuation of their family practice on Temple St. Eventually she also became a part of the Summers Co. ARH family once again, serving patients in clinics, at home, and in Hinton's nursing home facility.

Dr. Jennie was a protective and vicious advocate for patient rights and needs. She would listen to the needs of anyone in the aisles of Kroger on a Saturday evening, at Kirk's on the deck for Sunday breakfast, or just in passing in town. She was at her absolute best, when helping people in pain - her labor of love was making certain everyone felt seen and heard.

Jennie loved many things: nature, music, photography, art, writing. She was an avid writer, singer, and cat rescuer. She took long walks with her husband, Richard, and their large newfie Maddie, on the farm or in one of the many National and State parks that surrounded her home. Many days were spent watching the brilliant sunrises and sunsets from the porch of her home in town.

She is preceded in death by her mother, Myrtle Louise Stewart, and her father, Donald Chaffin. She is survived by her beloved husband Richard Altare, her four children, Lara D'agostin (Fernanda), Anona Monach (Greg), Nathaniel Altare (Brianna), and Hoyt Altare, and her granddaughter Enid Blair, who for the brief time became the light, love, and joy of her world.

Jennie will be laid to rest following a small service on their family farm. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, the family would prefer all donations to be made in her name to your local animal shelter or rescue.

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