Not everyone gets their own holiday when they pass away — but not everyone is Jendala Utsch.
The legions of locals who adored this Healdsburg artist, entrepreneur and love warrior are organizing a celebration of life for her at the Villa Chanticleer on Fitch Mountain this coming Sunday from noon to 3:30pm, called “Jendala Day.” And the festivities will continue into the evening at 444 Moore Lane, near City Hall, where Jendala created a magical headquarters for her healing arts nonprofit, Heartizens. (Which, BTW, will endure under brand-new executive director Tess Aston, who just left her post as “engagement manager” for the True West Film Center to take over for Jendala, as one of the artist’s dying requests. Learn more about Heartizens and how you can get involved on the org’s website.)
Here are more details about the big event planned this Sunday, from the invite: “There will be a ceremony at 1:00 p.m. in the garden, special performances by the Todd Bugbee’s Dead Roses and Tony Glaser, kids’ activities, food for purchase from Dim Sum And Then Sum, non-alcohol drinks and local treats, and cash bar. We hope this day will be an opportunity to heal, to celebrate, to remember, to empower, to be resilient, and most importantly, to love… just as Jen would have wanted.”
And here’s some info from Healdsburg Community Services Director Mark Themig, a close friend of Jendala’s, on how we all can help make Jendala Day as magical as possible:
Flowers: If you are fortunate to have early season flowers in your garden, or if you are picking some up at the market this weekend, please bring a small bouquet to help share Jen’s love and make the Villa vibrant! We’ll have mason jars available for vases, or bring your own. You can drop them off at the Villa between 10:00am-11:00am, or bring them with you when you come for the day and we’ll help you find a place. Look for a table outside the entrance with mason jars for arranging.
Photos: Jen’s vibrancy lives on in all of us. Help share the impact she made on you by sharing your favorite photos of Jen with us. We’ll compile the photos for a slide show that will run during Jendala Day! Have a Google account? Use this link to upload photos directly to a shared album. (No Google account? Upload photos to a folder without signing in by using this link.)
Chimes and Blankets: At 1:00PM we will be coming together in the Villa Garden to remember Jen and share the love that she brought into our world. You are welcome to bring your favorite chime to hang in the garden, and blankets for the lawn during the day.
Note from Simone: This piece originally appeared in the weekly email newsletter I write for the Healdsburg Tribune, called Healdsburg Today. Subscribe here!
