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Jennifer Makofsky Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Jennifer Makofsky
Sponsored by Keri Mondragon, "the Cuz".
Meredith Whiteside
May 27, 2025
Jenny and I were friends in high school. I always thoroughly enjoyed her sense of humor and keeping it real for things that mattered. Above all, she was kind and I have many happy memories of her. She is still missed.
Art Rogers
April 4, 2025
I worked with Jenny at Seven Hills School, Walnut Creek. Not long after her death, I wrote this poem... I'm not sure if I shared it then but just found it today...
A Storyteller Steps Out of Time
For Jenny
Storyteller
shape shifter of the tongue
moving our minds into other worlds
adding dimension, new colors, new sounds
spirit traveler teach us
Magician
pulling rinoceronte out of top hats
pulling rugs out from under the pompous
out of your sleeve comes candies and comets
conjurer confound us
Healer
filling holes in our hearts
bridging gaps between broken worlds
revealing the secret of our mislaid oneness
soul surgeon open us
Oh, traveler
You´ve ventured ahead
What sacred mysteries you will solve
What tales of wonder you will have to declare
Friend, wait upon us
Beloved
stepping out of our time
you search out a quiet place, a sunny knoll
we will come for your fables, your laugh, your smile
Blessed One, sing to us
Serena Makofsky
February 14, 2025
Serena Makofsky
February 14, 2025
I dreamed she hadn't died at all and was merely living in a remote corner of the sky, between the dimensions, reachable via a complex tangle of ropes and pulleys. When I got there, I saw water below, and Jenny reassured me we were safe because there was a handle to pull that dismantled the rope. I did not pull it. Jenny suggested we play a game naming BIPOC actresses from TV and that would help us sleep. I was about to say Phylicia Rashad, knowing I would lose against the master game-player anyway.
Serena E Makofsky
February 28, 2022
Last January, the Sacred Storytelling series highlighted my sister and her performance piece "Everything You've Ever Wanted to Know About Everything." The organizers asked me to share some reminiscences. I thought I'd share them here.
Jenny Makofsky, my sister. She would want me to say her full name here, before anything else.
So, she had these qualities that, for a long time, I was under the illusion were singular. For example, at the age of 5, she checked out massive hardcover anthologies of joke books from the library. These were OLD jokes. And she would recite them in the backseat of the Corolla, on the way to Dunkin Donuts, knock knock jokes. On the road trip from Vestal, NY to Santa Rosa, CA, elephant jokes. Recited. Memorized. Every single joke.
Or there was the time we were counselors at a family camp. Jenny challenged me to ping pong. She played so fiercely and talked such smack that a crowd developed to watch her. They wanted to see her beat me down in ping pong and insults. I've spent years trying to get back to that feeling at the ping pong table. Because it wasn't just what she did, it's how she did things.
Her grandstanding only became amplified over time. She would say she was more comfortable speaking in front of a group of 1,000 people than she was being in a one-on-one conversation.
I never knew at the time what I was witnessing-the making of a storyteller. My sister was becoming a storyteller.
I just got to bask in that light.
She used a front porch gossip kind of style that made her words seem to just rise up at the moment rather than being carefully rehearsed. It charmed people. They felt her words were just for them.
That's what happened when she went to Nicaragua to help educators there develop their community library. After a day of work, the power went out. It was so dark they couldn't see each other. Jenny started telling stories. There, in the darkness, they had an impromptu story swap.
It´s been almost 17 years since I have gotten to hear her observations of the day, her loud laugh, her inside jokes, her analytical wheels turning, churning, a sudden burst into song or, often, a heated interruption because, dammit, she was right (and she was right).
Living with her was pure comic theater and shrieking punk rock and Hello Kitty cuteness. And Zapatista revolution and beatnik poetic funk.
There is just no getting over missing her, so I do my best to summon her. Every day.
Here´s to you, Jenny Makofsky, my sister, mi hermana. Gracias.
ML Fox
July 17, 2012
Energy can neither be created nor destroyed.....it just changes form.
I miss Jenny's energy......I know she still exists, but in a space and place unrecognizable to us still on earth.
Sometimes I hear her laugh. What a joyous and unbridled laugh! I wish to emulate Jenny's self confidence and her sense of peace and freedom. I miss Jenny. She is lost to us for now, for this time of our being, but her energy is working with the other energies in the universe and together they are still with us, helping us, advocating for us, working for us, waiting for us. Until we meet again, Jenny!
Keri Mondragon
May 26, 2011
May 27, 2011 Jenny would have been 42 years old. That's the number of "Life, the Universe and Everything" according to "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy". I find that extremely appropriate. Happy Birthday Jenny, wherever you are. I miss you. Love, The Cuz. xoxoxo
Daniel Farrands
May 9, 2011
I was stunned to hear of Jenny's death. I was her classmate and friend during her years at Rincon Valley Jr. High and Santa Rosa High School. We were colleagues in our passion for the written word and friends who understood that there was "life after all this." I am truly sorry for your loss (and Serena, who I knew as well). At our 20th reunion, I ensured that a photo of Jenny was shown during the memorial presentation. I also returned to SRHS as the writer/director/producer of a television program on the "Scream" horror film series. After we conducted the interview, I made a donation to the SRHS Writers' Club in Jenny's name. Jenny was truly a light in this world, an inspiration and a friend. I will always remember her for her wonderful sense of humor, her incredible talent and most of all for our endless discussions about films (horror films in particular!) and our dreams of what our lives might one day be.
betty makofsky
February 20, 2011
Puedo escribir los versos mas tristes esta noche.
Pensar que no la tengo. Sentir que la he perdido.
Betty Makofsky
February 20, 2011
Puedo escribir los versos mas tristes esta noche.
Pensar que no la tengo. Sentir que la he perdido.
pablo neruda
Serena Makofsky
February 18, 2011
Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack in everything
That's how the light gets in.
--Leonard Cohen
May 30, 2010
Jenny,
You are never far away...we all still miss you.
Aunt Bunny
February 17, 2010
If you have a choice, choose to be happy. Jenny, I'm thinking of you and all of our joyous times. Nina
mom
February 15, 2010
2010
Still missing you as much as ever
Betty Makofsky
February 20, 2009
Poem Jenny sent to a friend
The Pinewoods
This morning
two deer
in the pinewoods
in the five A.M. mist
in a silky agitation
went leaping
down in the shadows
of the bog
and together
across the bog
and up the hill
and into the dense trees--
but once,
years ago,
in some kind of rapturous mistake,
the deer did not run away
but walked toward me
and touched my hands--
and I have been, ever since,
separated from my old, comfortable life
of experience and deduction--
I have been, ever since,
exalted--
and even now,
though I miss the world
I would not go back--
I would not be anywhere else
but stalled in the happiness
of the miracle--
every morning
I stroll out into the fields,
I believe in everything--
I believe in anything--
even if the deer are wild again
I am still standing under the dark trees,they are still walking toward me.
Lovisa
February 17, 2009
missing you.
Lovisa Brown
February 18, 2008
the plaza de armas in old havana has this wonderful botanical garden in the center, and thrusday-saturday the most glorious book flea market. mornings i would imgaine jenny and i wandering the various stalls, reading speeches from che and castro, love letters from jose marti, and speculating about how odd english books made their way to a particular vendors booth. in the left corner of the market are post cards some old most new, and jenny and i would discuss who we should send cards to and then decide to keep one for each given. later we might sit on a bench taking a brief break drinking too sweet lemonade, listen to wonderful son music and laugh. i miss her wavy hair and her beauty which glowed from the inside out, seemingly more each time i would see her. i miss her curiousity. the 17th is hard but the 18th is worst.
Serena Makofsky
February 16, 2008
We're thinking of you, Jenny. Tomorrow we will bring sparkly hair clips and stories to Hierve el Agua. Maybe we'll even have some tamales up there, just like you did 10 years ago. xoxo, Serena
BETTY MAKOFSKY
February 14, 2008
As the anniversary of her death approaches, here is a poem that was written by the last person to see Jenny on the night she died. She had gone to San Francisco to meet him to discuss a project for his public access TV show. Her accident occurred as she was driving home in the rain.
Until Thunder
For Jenny
From Brandon
Two hours, less.
We talk about stories—on a dark and rainy night,
Winter storm rolling in the deep outside--
Stories about water pouring down.
A future in stories from cultural memory
Speak through the many winds,
crying rain,
dancing as a great tree dances and
laughing giddy while unraveling the mysterious cloak of
secret signs and rhyming rituals that now conceal from us our
childhood.
Minutes? Ninety?
Not even
eighty-seven, maybe.
You stand to leave for home.
Would you stay? a moment longer--
On the chance of a break in the storm?
No, the way is quiet enough, but--
Then did you ask for a local direction
to wend your way through the one-way grid?
What did I answer? I don't remember--
and that lapse tugs on me as a lost child grasps the nearest skirt that
seems familiar but somehow incorrect and strange.
I turn. You are gone,
Driving into night, unknowing that
Your night floats on a shimmering river of
driven rain and city lights
Loud shadows of automobile careen,
encysting a shell so fine in crumpling steel
Boulders of cloud collide on dark earth,
discharging life in lightening clawed veils.
In counting the seconds until thunder,
there still is to apprehension or measure of our little time.
We know each other,
But so briefly.
Yet you make it clear to me that
Nothing of the greatness of god is kept from us.
Brian Davidson
June 12, 2005
After several months' absence, the pictures are back online. There now are two albums at: http://gallery.briankd.com/jenny or http://tinyurl.com/927sm .
--Brian
William Ratcliff
October 21, 2004
Ive known Jenny since i was was four. I met her in my first year at the seven hills school. i am now in 7th grade. what i remeber most about jenny, was that she was always smiling. i used to love her storys about anasi the spider and the 4th pig. she was the best summer camp counseler ever sometimes her "evil twin Lenny" would show up and we always used to yell "your not lenny thats Jenny" me and my family were very sad to hear about Jenny's passing we will always remeber her with love.
Gretchen Lieb
August 3, 2004
The terribly sad news of Jenny's passing knocked the wind out of me this morning. One of my warmest memories of Mills is returning to Orchard Meadow each evening and hearing the thrum of Jenny and Serena and gathered friends sharing the day's news with amusement, analysis and occasional outrage.
I'll hold Serena and the rest of Jenny's family in my thoughts with love and the hope that Max will hold onto the joy in life that the pictures assembled here so clearly show that she shared with him.
Imogen Fua
July 27, 2004
I am an old college friend. I just read about Jen's death through the Mills College Weekly. I had to take out my college pictures where she is in many of them. When I think about those years -- when I had really grown into my own -- I think about Jen among the few women who I respected and looked up to. What a loss her death is to this world -- to the good, to the strong, to the sweet, simple and beautiful things.
Jen - thank you for making an impact in my life in so little time.
Sara Yergovich
July 25, 2004
Jenny was my 6th grade advisor at Seven Hills school, and I can say that she touched my life with almost every advisory meeting we had. The thing I remember most about Jenny is that she always wore something black. I hassled her about this all the time, and bet her she couldn't go one day without wearing black. every time she tried not to wear black, i found some small thing on her that was indeed black. The thing i loved about this was that she never stopped trying to complete my task. To me, that describes Jenny's personality. I miss her deeply, and will always remember her.
Sander Lewis
July 9, 2004
Dear Jenny:
Last time I saw you was about 8 years ago, when I was only about 11 or 12, but you made such a lasting impression on me. Out of all the people at Seven Hills who helped me along the way, I never forgot the conversations we had, nor the way you made me feel with your optimism and creativity. I wanted to get in contact with you last year, but I couldn't find your email. I will miss you so much, and I thank you so much for sharing part of your life with me. Love, Sander
Bunny Johnson
May 30, 2004
Yesterday, May 29, 2004, Jenny's family members and her closest friends gathered at Goat Rock to scatter her ashes and say good-bye.
Serena read a beautiful poem and I read a letter I had written earlier during the week on May 27th, on what would have been Jenny's 35th birthday. I would like to share it with you here:
Dear Jenny,
I will remember you as forever young and beautiful. You wore many hats in your short sweet life...all of which you wore with distinction.
I see you in my mind's eye...your long, straight brown hair blowing in the wind with an intensely deep thought upon your face. I hear your voice, full of laughter and love for those you held dear.
I will always remember the many Thanksgivings, Christmases, birthdays, and other celebrations we shared as you were growing up. You will have a permanent place in my heart and in my life memories. I will always love you and remember....
Your Aunt Bunny
Serena Makofsky
May 30, 2004
Yesterday, we spread Jenny's ashes at Goat Rock. I read the e.e. cummings poem, "maggie and molly and milly and may" there:
maggie and milly and molly and may
went down to the beach (to play one day)
and maggie discovered a shell that sang
so sweetly she couldn't remember her troubles, and
milly befriended a stranded star
whose rays five languid fingers were;
and molly was chased by a horrible thing
which raced sideways while blowing bubbles: and
may came home with a smooth round stone
as small as a world and as large as alone
For whatever we lose (like a you or a me)
it's always ourselves we find in the sea.
Angela Henderson
April 12, 2004
I just received Davida's zine and read the news about Jenny this afternoon. I am still absolutely stunned. I am so sorry to hear about your loss. She was, as everybody has said, an amazing woman...my sincerest condolences.
Androo Robinson
April 4, 2004
Jenny and Serena were two of my first zine friends, and they made me feel instantly welcome in this odd little community. We've been joyful correspondents for nearly ten years, and I've been blessed with the additional honor of being both host and guest to the Makofsky sisters at various times. Jenny's hugeheartedness and invincible sense of humor made her a joy to know. Truly one of the most beautiful souls I have ever encountered. My heart feels flat and dull with the knowledge that I'll never again receive another of her loopy and insightful letters, but I'll never forget her glowing example of how to live.
Bill Miller
March 8, 2004
Dear Family and Friends of Jenny...All of us at Seven Hills are so touched by this huge loss to our school community. I thought you might like to know that we will dedicate our yearbook to Jenny and include some wonderful pictures of her on the page.
The 2004 Seven Hills School yearbook is dedicated to Jenny Makofsky, a beloved teacher, an admired colleague, and a dear friend who brought so much joy and good fun to our school community. Jenny was our Extended Day and Summer Day Camp Director for nine years. But really she was the “keeper of the spirit” of our school. Who could invent more creative (and competitive!) games and play them with more enthusiasm? Few could think up a more good-hearted prank than Jenny. And we all know that her story-telling was legendary. Students and adults of all ages would sit and listen to her stories, and ask for them, over and over. She loved books; she loved libraries; she loved ice cream; and we all know that she could yell, “LINE UP” longer and better than anyone else! Jenny was one of those people who got stuck in you heart because of her genuine care and interest for those who were around her. For all of those great qualities, for the memories we have of Jenny, and to honor her for all that she gave to each one of us; with mixed emotion, we are dedicating this yearbook in her memory. And it is through your memory that she lives on.
Art Rogers
March 3, 2004
A Storyteller Steps Out of Time
for Jenny
Storyteller
Shape shifter of the tongue
Moving our minds into other worlds
Adding dimension, new colors, new sounds
Spirit traveler teach us
Magician
Pulling rhinoceroi out of top hats
Pulling rugs out from under the pompous
Out of your sleeve comes candies and comets
Conjurer confound us
Healer
Filling holes in our hearts
Bridging gaps between broken worlds
Revealing the secret of our mislaid Oneness
Soul surgeon open us
Oh, Traveler
You’ve ventured ahead
What sacred mysteries you will solve
What tales of wonder you will have to declare
Friend, wait upon us
Beloved
Stepping out of our time
You search out a quiet place, a sunny knoll
We will come for your fables, your laugh, your smile
Blessed One, sing to us
Steve Lafler
March 2, 2004
Today it's two weeks since Jenny's death. I feel the low level shock and sadness I might expect, but holding Jenny in mind helps me get past just being numb. Right now it's 11:00 am, I'm at work in the office I've shared with Jen for the past year and a half since she went freelance. I hold in my heart and mind the sight of Jen at work, relaxed sideways into her chair fretting over whatever is on the computer screen at the moment.
Some days we barely said ten words to each other, pre-occupied with the tasks at hand; just as often we'd share a laugh or a moment of outrage over something heard on the radio as we worked. We actually stopped and had a cup of tea that day two weeks ago.
It's painful to embrace this day-to-day life with Jen, but facing this pain connects me with her. It ends up a catharsis.
Okay, back to work, wishing very much Jenny was sitting here too.
Steve
Judy French
February 26, 2004
As Auntie Mame said: "Life is a banquet and most poor suckers are starving to death!" Well, Jenny was both the banquet and the person right in the middle of it all, digging in. We miss her so.
David Makofsky
February 25, 2004
I am Jenny's father, and I want to thank you all for sharing your thoughts about her. These are very meaningful, becuse that is all we have left of my daughter.
I want to thank Keri for setting up this book, and all the wonderful people for coming to the memorial. Ours was a terrible loss, but it has been eased by your kind show of support
David Makofsky
Anna Wojtalewicz
February 24, 2004
“There are some things about Summer Camp you never forget. It maybe a song you sang, a game you played, a special campout in the woods. Most of all, you remember the friendships you form with children and other teachers. It’s as if the everyday world is suspended and you find yourself in a place where the rules of real life are turned upside-down. The main point of the activity is to have fun.” This was Jenny’s camp philosophy, and she lived up to it everyday. I feel privileged that over the past nine years I got to know Jenny while working at Summer Day Camp. Jenny’s energy and positive spirit gave life to everyone at camp. She had an incredible way of turning the most ordinary thing into the most fun event in the whole world. I looked forward to Tuesday and Thursday mornings when Jenny would enter the bus and shout “My side of the bus versus your side of the bus! Category is songs with the word love in it!” I also looked forward to our overnight camping trips to Sunol. Hiking to Little Yosemite and then jumping into the freezing cold water with Jenny was always a highlight of my summer. Jenny was the main reason why I returned to camp for so many years. She had such an impact on my life. Her desire to learn more and teach about other cultures inspired me to learn more myself and to study abroad. Her strong independent attitude towards life gave me the courage I needed to take that first step to traveling and living abroad by myself. I will miss Jenny as a friend, a co-worker, but most of all, as a mentor. She helped turn me into the person and the teacher who I am today. I am devastated I will not get to learn more from her. But her spirit will live on and my students will benefit enormously from everything that I learned from Jenny.
-Mmm-I want to linger-mmm-a little longer-mmm-a little longer here with you...
-Ahhh-And as the years go by-mmm-I'll think of you and sigh-mmm-this is goodnight and not goodbye.
Melissa Stevenson Dile
February 23, 2004
I have many wonderful memories of times with Jenny at Mills. She was a delight - a wonderful subversive sense of humor, tremendously organized, always ready to do whatever needed to be done, or willing to chuck it all for a game of pool. In college, her dorm room was papered with Rene Magritte reproductions and postcards - usually images of the man with a top hat and no face. To this day I always think of Jenny whenever I see a Magritte painting.
My sincere condolences to Serena, Jenny's parents, and your entire family. I know that you will feel her loss deeply. I will miss her too.
Susie Berry
February 23, 2004
Jenny was the reason I came to work at Seven Hills School. Her energy, her charisma, her love for children, I knew I wanted to work for her. I had the honor of working with Jenny for 3 years and I remember the day she sat me down and told me that she was going to leave. I felt like someone had snagged all the wind out of me. What? A school with no Jenny? She wanted me to take the position she had for so many years here at Seven Hills. I am now the Director of Extended Day and the Summer Camp and try as I may, I will never fill her boots because her boots had more life and love than anyone elses. She was my mentor and the reason I am where I am today. Thank you Jenny for giving me such a wonderful push, I think about you everyday in this office and I will never forget you.
Nancy Lafler
February 23, 2004
Dear Serena, Steve, Max and family,
May your memories of Jenny bring your strength each day. Fond memories linger everyday and remembrance keeps them near; nothing can ever take away the love a heart holds dear. My thoughts are with all of you at this very sad time.
love, Nancy
Serena Makofsky
February 22, 2004
I'd like to share what I said at Jenny's memorial service yesterday.
I hope Jenny would indulge me in this last opportunity to be an older sister. I need to boss all of you around for a moment, and ask you to fill the gaps Jenny has left behind. The world needs people who-
1. Spend all day in the library doing research for a two-page paper.
2. Can do a perfect impersonation of Carol Channing singing "Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend".
3. Argue all night over a book they haven't read.
4. Will read "Little Bear" to Max seven times in a row.
5. Spend spare time reading Spanish dictionaries and memorizing poetry.
6. Fight the good fight.
7. Cook the perfect corn cake.
And, finally, after you have gone and done all the great things, and all the trivial things, I need you to come back, kick your boots off, sit on the couch, and tell me every detail.
Thank you, Jenny, for your stories.
Love always,
Serena
Brian Davidson
February 22, 2004
A small photo album, and some links to other information can be found by clicking here .
Amanda Casabianca
February 21, 2004
How lucky I was to have known Jenny Makofsky. So many years ago ,at the Santa Rosa High School Bandhall where I met all my friends , the one with all the great pop-culture responses to life was Jen. So ahead of her time in many important ways...politically and socially always a humanitarian. Never afraid to speak her mind on issues that others flinched at-even when we were teenagers. I'll always remember her as part of an amazing group of Santa Rosa free thinkers, musicians and friends who found each other in those dark Reagan/Bush years . "Did you dye you hair Kamanda?" she asked me one day at Coddingtown. Or are you using Burgundy Mousse?" Truly fascinated by my numerous makeover attempts. And the summer of 1987, when our great, mutual friend, Andrew had a month long party at his parents house, complete with hundreds of broken record albums strewn across the living room floor. Jenny and I managed to find "The Greatest American Hero" Tv theme soundtrack and start a debate on its merits. She loved to joke about Jewish culture and made you feel like you were in on the laughter. She proudly told me how she took self defense classes to challenge some of the idiots she encountered in her daily quest to be a female without fear.I had not seen Jenny since the mid-nineties but I knew that she never stopped being unique and warm. What I think of today, is how when I arrived in Santa Rosa in 1986, Jenny Makofsky welcomed me with the strength of her spirit. Now I reside only minutes from where I grew up and where Jenny had been living for nearly a decade, working on her zine with her beloved sister Serena and telling stories to children in local libraries. I dedicate this day to her. As I walk down College Ave. past all the shops, when I walk into Fentons and order the yummiest ice cream creation ever, (remembering being at 31 Flavors on Fourth Street in Santa Rosa and Jenny asking me why I was getting Sorbet ("It's frozen water") and when I tell a story to the children I watch tonight. I'll tell a magical one about Jenny Makofsky and how lucky I am to have memories of this resplendent kindred spirit, whom I'll never forget.
My deepest sympathies to Jenny's loved ones.
With Love, Amanda Casabianca
Judy Converse
February 21, 2004
Dear Serena, Steve, Max, and all of Jenny's family,
We are all there with you today in our thoughts, thinking of you all every moment. We are so sad with you. We send you each and Jenny too, peace, peace, and our remembering of Jenny's sparkle. Know that at 4PM we will be present with you all in spirit and will pause in peace and quiet.
Love,
Jude, Chris, Ben, Don, and Shirley
Mary James
February 21, 2004
Jenny---creative, warm, loving, funny, exuberant, passionate, caring, statuesque, full of dignity.
Our whole family is filled with grief at the tragedy of her loss. May we all honor Jenny's life and memory by embracing and expressing in our own lives all that was beautiful and wonderful about her.
Christmas 1998 - submitted by Keri Mondragon
February 21, 2004
Keri Mondragon
February 21, 2004
Jenny coined my nickname "The Cuz" years ago, but I've always felt more like an older sister than a maternal cousin. In my mind's eye, I had images of her someday gracing my eulogy with her talented prosaic ability. I never imagined having to find words rare enough to encapsulate the enormity of her life - definitely not before we were all venerable, creaky, purple-wearing senior citizens. Strong willed with a gentle heart, Jenny was a free spirit with a subtle rapier wit. I would give almost anything right now if she could hear me say how proud I am of her life. I have always held her up on the highest pedestal . . . . from which she has now taken flight. A world traveler, now on a journey of many worlds, she has graduated once again and ascended to a higher grace. The realm of Spirit is suddenly in receipt of a Pure and Potent Communicator. Now anything is possible! For the rest of my life I will miss her more than any mere words can express. I hope those who knew her never forget her contributions to this world. I look forward to someday discovering what she's been up to in the next one.
Brandie Proctor
February 20, 2004
Jenny's intense wit, intelligent humor, beauty, great politics, and ability to light up any room will be so sorely missed. I feel privileged to have gotten an opportunity to have Jenny touch my life, if much too briefly. My thoughts and emotions are with the closest of those to Jenny, especially her family, as they walk through their journey of healing from such an incredible loss.
Linden Van Wert-Weisberg
February 20, 2004
Jenny:
rare talent, clear thinker, beloved teacher,
peerless storyteller, caring colleague,
fearless menehune, willing activist,
gifted writer, fellow librarian,
dear friend.
Bunny Johnson
February 20, 2004
I am Jenny's maternal aunt and loved her her whole life. She was special to everyone who knew her. It will be hard not to be able to see her and hear her wonderful stories anymore.
Doug, Hildy, Robby, & Jamey Van Wyck
February 20, 2004
We are so very sad to hear of Jenny's passing. It's hard for the rest of us when good people leave the earth too early. Jenny was the best summer camp director and was a positive influence in Robby and Jamey's lives. We fondly remember her "twin" sister "Lenny" who would come to certain camp events and be a bit of a troublemaker. :)
It's funny how you never saw Jenny & "Lenny" in the same place at the same time. They will be missed.
Stephanie Miller
February 20, 2004
I feel honored to have known Jenny, to have seen her perform, and to know that she touched the lives of so many people. I cannot express how much she will be missed.
Nancy Proctor
February 20, 2004
Jenny was such a wonderful joyful spirit in this world. Our family will always remember her ready smile, her story-telling abilities and the genuine love that she showered on all of her friends.
I am so sad knowing that I won't see her again in this lifetime.
Blessings on all of her dearest loved ones as you walk this path of loss and healing.
Sue, John and Josh VanLandingham
February 20, 2004
I cannot find words to express my sorrow in the tragic loss of this wonderful woman, Jenny. She was a treasure to know. We will miss her dearly.
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If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
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Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
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The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
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Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
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Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
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How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
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