Sophomore Jenny Faenza passes away, prayer service at 6
Posted by: Will Sommer in Campus News
Sad news coming off break. According to an e-mail from Vice President for Student Affairs Todd Olson, College sophomore Jenny Faenza (above) died Saturday from chronic pulmonary hypertension.
There will be a prayer service for her at 6 in St. Williams Chapel. Olson’s e-mail is after the jump.
Update: There’s a Facebook group about her and pulmonary hypertension with 170 members. From the group, it looks like she spent the summer of 2007 recovering but was expected to be fine that August. It has four new members.
Dear Students, Faculty and Staff:
I am writing to share some sad news. Over the weekend Georgetown officials were notified that Jenny Faenza (C ‘11) passed away due to complications related to her ongoing battle with chronic pulmonary hypertension. Jenny was hospitalized and died on Saturday while visiting family near her hometown of Nashville, TN. In her time on campus, Jenny was an engaged student leader, active in numerous organizations including the Copley Hall Community Council, the Protestant Student Forum and ESCAPE in addition to working at Midnight Mug.
The Office of Campus Ministry will hold a prayer service in St. Williams Chapel this evening at 6pm as an opportunity for students to gather and share reflections.
Georgetown officials have been in touch with her family to provide support and are working with them to make arrangements for a memorial service on campus in the next week as well. Georgetown representatives will attend services the family has planned in their hometown tomorrow, Dec 2, at 2 p.m. at Austin and Bell funeral home in Springfield, TN. Notes of condolence and sympathy are being coordinated through the Office of Campus Ministry, 113 Healy Hall, for distribution to Jenny’s family.
This is understandably difficult news for the students who knew Jenny. Please know that the Office of Campus Ministry and Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS) can provide support 24/7 for students experiencing difficulties. To reach a campus minister on duty after hours call (202) 668-3195. To page a staff member on duty at CAPS after hours please call (202) 444-PAGE. Students needing to address specific academic matters as a result of this may contact your respective dean’s office for assistance as well.
Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with Jenny’s family and friends during this time.
Sincerely,
Todd A. Olson
Vice President of Student Affairs
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I didn’t know Jenny, but I’m sad to hear of her loss. She seems to have been a courageous woman who had a great attitude and a lot to offer the world. I found this news report on her passing by her hometown TV station:
http://fox17.com/newsroom/top_stories/wztv_vid_4762.shtml
I knew Jenny as she volunteered at the Pulmonary HYpertension Association and I met her during our weekly “Volunteer Nights.”
Her passing comes as a surprise since she seemed to be doing so well recently. I am very sad to hear of this and I will miss her positive attitude and smiling face.
I also knew Jenny from Pulmonary Hypertension Association volunteer nights. She was a wonderful young lady and I am so very sorry that this disease has stolen such a dynamic young life. I will miss her sweet and energetic personality, and will always remember her.
I only met Jenny once, but even then, she left an imprint on my mind that has stayed with me ever since. I was walking through Red Square on the day after Election Day and saw an impromptu celebration for Obama going on. I stood a bit outside of the circle of chanting students, not wanting to bud in. As soon as Jenny saw me, she smiled and invited me into the circle. She made me feel welcome and, even though that fleeting moment was our only interaction, I’ll never forget her because of that kind gesture.
I’m so sad to hear of her passing, but it seems as though she truly lived her life to the fullest. I can’t say that I would have had her courage. She was an inspiration.