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Jennifer MALIN Obituary
Jennifer Jean Malin, age 26, died in a traffic accident in Austin, Texas on October 26, 2013. She was born in Houston, Texas on December 21, 1986. An honors graduate of Harvard University, she was studying for a doctorate in Social and Clinical Psychology at University of Texas, Austin. Scholarly, creative and multi-talented, she was always cheerful, welcoming, fun-loving, generous and deeply caring. She had a beautiful voice, loved her cats and was passionate about community gardening and help for abused women and children. She was beloved by her family and her many, many friends. She is survived by her parents, David H. Malin and Jane T. Malin.
There will be a memorial service at Bay Area Unitarian Universalist Church, 17503 El Camino Real, Houston, Texas 77058 on Saturday, November 9 at 10 A.M. Donations in lieu of flowers may be sent to the Jennifer Malin Endowment at the University of Texas, https://utdirect.utexas.edu/apps/utgiving/online/nlogon/ (be sure to include "Jennifer Malin Endowment" in the notes section of the giving page). You may also donate to The Texas Council on Family Violence www.tcvf.org, the National domestic abuse hotline www.thehotline.org/get-involved/donate/ and Austin Pets Alive http://www.austinpetsalive.org/.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Jennifer MALIN
David Bines-Vega
September 29, 2025
You were missed and remembered at our 20 year class reunion. Rest in peace friend.
Charleen Watson
October 24, 2024
Still, my deepest condolences for Jenny. I have fond memories of this sweet beautiful gifted young lady from Harbor Playhouse where my daughters and I met her. Always blessed by her smile.
Greg and Irma Scott
October 24, 2023
In loving memory and honoring her special parents
Diana Eck
October 24, 2022
I still remember the wonderful energy of Jennifer as a student at Harvard and as a Pluralism Project researcher. Ongoing condolences for all of us who miss her.
Greg and Irma Scott
October 24, 2022
In loving memory and special prayers to her exceptional parents. We have been there too.
Jenn Jones
November 27, 2013
What a beautiful loving daughter you raised. Jenny was truly a gift to the world! Simply being in her presence was enlightening and uplifting. Her actions will continue to touch and inspire countless others. I only wish she were here to see all the outcomes of simply being herself, but maybe she is somewhere where that is a reality. I truly miss having her in this one and am so sorry for your loss, Jane & David.
And that beautiful smile...
Julia Tanner
November 21, 2013
Jane and Dave,
Weeks later it is still hard to believe that dear Jenny is gone, and so suddenly and tragically. But her spirit still burns bright in my heart--- my only niece, who graced my life for almost 27 years. She truly was a fine human being, in every sense, and I will always treasure my memories of her humor, her intelligence, her kindness, her expressiveness, and the way she made the very most of the life that she lived. She touched so many, and made such a difference in her all too short time among us.
Jenny with her parents at her cousin's wedding in Nashville TN
julia Tanner
November 21, 2013
Andrea Negrete
November 21, 2013
Dear Jane and Dr. Malin,
I have known Jenny since I was a little girl. When I was told that she had passed I didn't believe I couldn't believe it. It was not real that someone that amazing could be taken from us without notice. Her spirit will always remain with us. Her kind heart and generous sprit is really a tribute to you as parents. You raised such an amazing and beautiful person so as I say I am so sorry for your lost I also say thank you!! Thank you for having brought such an extraordinary human being into this world. I can truly say I am a better person because of your daughter. Jenny you are missed beyond words. I will miss you on my wedding day but I know you will be there by my side as we had planned. Love you angel.
Marlys Denison
November 21, 2013
There are no words that I can use to express my sorrow and feeling of loss. May your memories comfort you.
Martha Capo
November 21, 2013
I am precariously
held by
earth and sky
by you
the path limned
before me
would hold me too
but I intend
to soar I am meant
for more and in
this moment do
I see nothing
lifts me up as
Wind
Dawn McIntosh
November 21, 2013
Dear Jane, I am thinking of you, your family and your daughter's friends. What a terrible loss.
November 13, 2013
Jane and David,
We're so sorry for your terrible loss. Jenny was outstanding in so very many ways. She was truly a special person.
John, Sally & Rich Coleman
Nikunj Oza
November 12, 2013
Dear Jane:
You and your family and friends have my prayers and sympathy in getting through this most difficult time.
Charise Armstrong (UHCL)
November 11, 2013
I am deeply saddened to hear of your sorrow and can only regret that I never knew the loving, creative, impactful daughter you both raised. I pray your hearts find joy in thoughts of Jenny, and that you and those that loved her are sustained and comforted as you long for her - till you meet again.
November 10, 2013
i read of your terrible loss in the harvard crimson. jennifer sounded like a wonderful member of the harvard family and will be missed.
Helen Bettman Cohen class of l969 houston, tx.
T. Leal
November 8, 2013
Mr. and Mrs. Malin,
You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Sharon Williams
November 7, 2013
Jane, from your ER NASA Family we are praying for you and love you dearly! Sharon Williams
Sherry Land
November 7, 2013
Jane,
It's been years since we've worked together. You were my mentor. You taught me what it means to be passionate about ones work. But you did more than that. The way you loved your daughter shaped me. You taught me that it is possible to love your children with all your heart and still be passionate about your work. It's OK to do both. It's wonderful to do both. The relationship you had with Jenny was so special. My heart breaks for your loss. But the spirit of your love for your precious daughter lives on and continues to touch the hearts of those around you. That love is never ending.
Athena, Brent and Tasia Newton
November 5, 2013
We are very sorry to learn of your loss. May Jenny's memory be eternal. God bless you both.
Jessica Wooden
November 4, 2013
Dave and Jane, I am so incredibly sorry for your loss. I had the pleasure of meeting your daughter at the UHCL lab, and showing her my thesis project regarding USVs at the time. She had a bright curiosity and a very friendly disposition, and seemed like such a wonderful person. I know Jenny's family and friends miss her terribly.
Andrew Williams
November 4, 2013
In addition to her brilliance, Jenny was one of perhaps two people I have ever known who I truly believe never hated another person as long as she lived. I am just sick that she is gone. At the same time, I feel honored and humbled that I had the privilege of knowing her. She was a marvelous friend to me and to my family and was a loving and wise godmother to my 16-year-old daughter, Miranda. I am an Episcopalian, and yesterday was All Saints Day. Most people don't understand that day commemorates not only the saints we all know about -- Luke, Mark, Francis, and so on -- but also those whose exemplary lives were known only to God. I cannot imagine anyone who meets that description better than Jenny.
Luke Herranen
November 4, 2013
I knew Jenny for many years, we first met in high school. Though we could not see each other as often as I would have liked, she never really left my mind - she's one of those people you could never forget. A light to anyone who knew her, she is deeply loved and sorely missed.
JC
November 4, 2013
SO VERY SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS.
Jackie Grigar
November 4, 2013
Praying for Jenny and her family to find peace in such a hard time.
Gail Jenkins
November 3, 2013
I did not know Jenny, but I'm a UU and her story really touched me. Having lost a wonderful young nephew under similar circumstances, my thoughts go to Jenny's parents.
Gail Jenkins
[email protected]
Kent Harber
November 3, 2013
Jenny worked briefly with me and one of my graduate students on a research project that we were planning to start in the spring. The three of us met weekly on Skype, with Jenny organizer and agenda setter. Others in this guestbook have described the light Jenny brought, and that was my experience as well. Radiant smarts, good will, humor, and energy. She spoke and listened with great natural skill. She was a rare good person, and I am deeply saddened at her passing.
Lauren Baker
November 2, 2013
I remember growing up with you in the Orchid Society. You were so cute walking around on your tip toes and smiling all the time. You were six years old the last time I saw you. Gone too soon, but never forgotten. See you again someday.
Felicia Kongable
November 1, 2013
Jenny joined the Austin UU when I did, and she was a gardener in my zone at Sunshine Community Gardens. She was a lovely, sincere, good-hearted person and I am so deeply sorry for her passing.
October 31, 2013
Everyone who knows the Malin Family is truly saddened by this untimely event.
There is just no explaining or understanding when a young loved one is called home.
God's blessing on the Family
Greg and Irma Scott
Conroe, Tx
Peter Toennies
October 31, 2013
My wife and I have fond memories of Jenny when we attended the church. We were very surprised to learn about her death. She always seemed so cheerful and kind to others. I know she will be missed by many.
Diana Eck
October 31, 2013
I am so deeply sad to learn of Jennifer's death. About the time she finished her thesis as a senior at Harvard College, Jennifer worked for me as a research assistant as Director of the Pluralism Project. She came every day to my home, the Masters' Residence of Lowell House, and helped with a thousand different things. She understood the energies of religion, and that summer she taped some interviews in Houston with the founder of the Amazing Faiths Dinner Dialogues project. She was such a vibrant, wonderful, loving person, with high ideals and down-to-earth talents.
I will miss her, and I send my condolences to her parents and family.
October 30, 2013
I am heartsick about the passing of this beautiful gifted and talented young lady, Jenny, and feeling so deeply sad for her parents. I remember Jenny from theatre where she and my daughters performed together and from the Alpha G/T program. What light she emitted. How she touched so many lives. She must be needed more in heaven than here on earth! Blessings to you all. Charleen Watson
Steven Uecker
October 30, 2013
I am so sorry to hear about Jennifer's passing, I got to know her cheerful, bright nature at our community garden. She was a ray of sunshine.
Gregg Welch
October 30, 2013
So sorry for the loss of Jenny to her family and friends. I sat next to her in church on the 20th, and when Rev Meg said introduce yourself to the people next to you, I shook her hand and she introduced herself with a big smile to me and my son.
Meghan
October 30, 2013
I am so sad to hear of Jenny's passing. I knew her as an inspiring classmate, a talented musician and kind presence at church and in the community. She was a truly special person and will be missed.
October 30, 2013
David and Jane, We are so sorry to learn of your incalculable loss. Please accept our deepest sympathy. Jib & Joy Fowles
Brian Miller
October 30, 2013
Jenny was and is a true angel who made our lives richer. We will all miss her. My thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends in this time of sorrow.
Betsy Williams
October 30, 2013
Nothing was ever more monumentally wrong than that we should lose Jenny like this. Dave and Jane, I'm so very sorry, both on your account and my own.
Shelley Fang
October 30, 2013
I only knew Jenny for a short time - less than a year - when I began serving as one of her undergraduate research assistants. And even though I haven't worked for her long, I always felt like she was there for me to help me along with any troubles I had in just about anything. Jenny was the best mentor anyone could ask for. She encouraged us to chart our own paths and come up with our own designs and plans - I only regret not having come up with anything executable before having to write this goodbye.
Jenny, just know that I will never be able to research again without thinking of you and that you have made a huge difference in my life the short time I knew you. Though I will always regret never having a chance to tell you, I just want you to know that you will always be one of the most inspiring, positive, and caring mentors in my life and that without you I would have certainly never become as integrated into research as I have. I really miss you.
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