Jennifer Wilson Obituary

Jennifer Carroll Wilson
November 13, 1968 - June 27, 2020
Our beautiful Jennifer left us way too soon. She was a vibrant, radiant being with an unparalleled zest for life. Her dazzling smile lit up a room.

Jennifer grew up in Los Angeles. She attended The Westlake School for Girls and Colorado College, where she majored in English. Colorado opened her eyes to nature, which became her passion. In her young adventures she climbed Mt. Kenya, hiked the Masai Mara, and spent a summer releasing endangered peregrine falcons into the wild. She began her professional career in the environmental field in San Francisco, working at Esprit and the Resource Renewal Institute. These experiences led her to the Taos Pueblo in New Mexico, where she taught children about sustainable agriculture. The next step was the Harvard University Graduate School of Design, and there she earned a Masters Degree in Landscape Architecture.

She met her future husband, Marcel, at Harvard. After Cambridge they moved to San Francisco, where their daughters Lena and Zoe were born. Jennifer was still most at home in nature which inspired her many artistic endeavors, including the sculptural jewelry she created and sold. She loved the mountains where she skied, hiked, bicycled and camped, and passed those passions along to her children. Every year she looked forward to spending time with her family at Lake Almanor, California.

In recent years, her focus returned to designing gardens and she opened her own residential landscape design practice. She had recently completed a new studio office in her garden, giving her the opportunity to do what she loved - create, design, draw and cultivate. It was her happy place.

Jennifer passed away suddenly from natural causes. Her large family is devastated. She leaves husband Marcel, daughters Lena and Zoe, mother Judy Carroll, sisters Carey and Abbe, brothers Tom and John and countless nieces, nephews, in-laws and close friends who will cherish the precious memories she left us. Jennifer was predeceased by her father, Dick Carroll.

She was our perennial ray of sunshine.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Jennifer to the San Francisco Parks Alliance and San Francisco Museum of Craft and Design.

Published by San Francisco Chronicle from Jul. 3 to Jul. 5, 2020.
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Memories and Condolences
for Jennifer Wilson

Not sure what to say?





It is a couple years now since Jenn left this world but I find myself thinking of her today. We were friends at Colorado College - one year apart and had many friends in common. I remember organizing a Passover Seder with her in 1988 or 89. She was a beauty - inside and out. My deepest condolences to her husband and daughters.

Julie Slotnik Sturm

Friend

January 4, 2023

Unfortunately, I did not know Jenn, but am a grad of CC '71 and a former board member of Vista Del Mar. An orchard has been dedicated in her honor on our campus in West LA which pleases me greatly. She seems to have been a very special lady and a great influence on children. My sympathies to her extended family. She must have made all of you quite special.
Warmly,
Pam

Pam Pacht

Other

September 23, 2021

Jessica Rich

December 12, 2020

She was truly one of the best people I've ever met, and I feel so incredibly lucky to have known her. She was kind and compassionate and so smart and strong. I admired her so much. I hadn't seen her since high school, but I absolutely adored her. My deepest condolences to her family and her husband and daughters. Truly a wonderful, beautiful person.

Margaret Breard

Friend

December 5, 2020

I'm heartbroken at the loss of Jennifer. I'm a cousin of her mother and I've just learned of her passing. Heartbreaking.

Barbara Rich

Family

September 25, 2020

Robert Zaas

August 12, 2020

Marissa Bruce

August 4, 2020

Dionnie Smith

July 27, 2020

Mia Hirsh

July 14, 2020

Sending love & hugs to you all!
To Lena & Zoe, may the bright shinny memory of yoyr Mom be remembered with Joy & Love & Beauty!!

linda gruber

July 14, 2020

Peter Frankel

July 12, 2020

Fran Lubin

July 10, 2020

Walter Moos

July 10, 2020

Susan OKeeffe

July 10, 2020

Nancy Zeches

July 9, 2020

Sharon Layne Presley

July 8, 2020

Eden Romick

July 6, 2020

Jenn and I met at Colorado College and became fast friends and lived together our senior year. We were both from LA but loved Colorado. We would ride our bikes to Garden if the Gods and do Jane Fonda in the living room. We would camp and then get pedicures. We remained friends after college. Visiting each other in San Fran, Taos and LA celebrating lifes highs and lows. Laughing and crying together. We both got married and we both had two girls and I was able to meet them and Marcel on a book trip to San Fran but more often wed text and call and catch up as if no time had passed . And I would always feel satiated after one of our talks because she was always real and genuine and present and a true friend. I will miss you so much my friend.

Ricki Booker

Friend

July 6, 2020

I didnt know Jennifer, but was moved by her obituary in the LAT. May her memory always be for a blessing.

Salvador Litvak

July 5, 2020

It is with a heavy heart that I send love to Marcel, Lena and Zoe. Jenn was a special person who brought joy and smiles to everyone she crossed paths with. Her love for her daughters was palpable. She was the kind of mother that everyone who was lucky enough to be around would envy. She brought warmth and caring into the Live Oak community and we were all better because of it. It is hard to express how much she will be missed.

Holly Dunn

Friend

July 4, 2020

Julie Kellner

July 4, 2020

Sincere condolences to the Wilson Family, May the God of Comfort bind up and mend your broken hearts with His tender care and loving kindness as you cope and miss the precious loss in your lives. May God give you strength each and every day.

BRY

July 4, 2020

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