Jennifer Ann Bosveld

Bosveld Jennifer Ann Bosveld, renowned poet, publisher, innkeeper, activist and mentor, died August 30 in Columbus after extended illness. Born January 24, 1945, to Robert and Maryanna (Sharkey) Miller. Preceded in death by her mother, husband Rev. James Bosveld, and son Chris Groce. Survived by her father; son, David (Tina) DeRhodes; uncle, Stephen Daniel (Sandy) Sharkey; aunt, Marilyn Bates; and grandchildren, Krista, Nicholas, Thomas, Mitch, Hunter and Christina. A native of Bexley, Ohio Jennifer was a giant in American poetry beginning in the 1970s. She founded the poetry journal Pudding Magazine: The Journal of Applied Poetry and Pudding House Publications, which over 30 years became the nation's largest independent literary press, with over 2,000 titles in print. She authored three books of poetry, several chapbooks and multiple poetry broadsides in addition to compiling 12 poetry anthologies. She helped to found the National Association for Poetry Therapy (NAPT) and to bring poetry readings to the Columbus Arts Festival. Her honors included NAPT's Pioneer Award, an Ohio Arts Council fellowship in poetry, and a Governor's Award for her contributions to Ohio arts. Mentor to dozens of poets both locally and nationally, she founded the poetry troupe Redkitchen, The Rattlebox poetry reading series and the Salon workshop for poets. Her enthusiasm, guidance and generosity remain legendary in national poetry circles. In 1975, she formed the Justice For Jack Committee to free Jack Carmen, a mentally challenged man tricked into pleading guilty to murder and who was later tried and acquitted. Before her publishing career, she worked for the OSU Agricultural Extension Service and The Disaster Research Center at OSU. She was later executive director of Friends of the Homeless. She also operated Pudding House Bed & Breakfast in Johnstown, Ohio, conducting writers' retreats and residencies. A determined proponent of social justice and an unyielding opponent of the death penalty, Jennifer was a doting grandmother, avid traveler and positive spirit whose approach to life was "Yes!" A memorial service will be held September 27 at 11 a.m. at First Unitarian Universalist Church, 93 W. Weisheimer Rd. Donations in her memory may be made to Friends of the Homeless.