Two hundred and fifty of Jennifer Utsch’s closest friends came together on Sunday to share in their memories. It was a diverse group, but it was all one group, and looking into the eyes of one another was like looking into Jen’s eyes.
Jen passed away in hospice care in Tucson a few weeks ago, leaving a hole in the heart of Healdsburg the size of Villa Chanticleer. It was restored to life by Jendala Day on April 13.
A gathering in the garden courtyard started about 1pm, its gazebo festooned with photographs, flowers and tributes, its walkway lined by the ubiquitous chimes. The setting gave many of those who Jen had touched a chance to speak.
Gina Riner read a poem by Mary Oliver, the one that ends, “Tell me, what else should I have done? Doesn’t everything die at last, and too soon? Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”
Brigette Mansell, friend and teacher and former mayor, said, “I love you Jen, and you are never past tense for me.”
A much younger friend, Josie Ramirez, said through her tears, “She showed me love. She didn’t need to be so loving toward me because we’re not blood, but she’s the closest grandma I ever had.”
Tess Aston, who honored Jendala’s wishes by taking over her beloved Heartizens creative space, said, “She truly believed the power of art could heal all wounds.”
Friends Jenny Salomonsky, Rob Davis and Xerxes Whitney also spoke, all affected and inspired by “Jendala.”
Laura Utsch was there, looking so like her older sister that seeing her almost brought Jen into the space. She read from the Farewell Message that Jen left just days before she passed away, on Feb. 18, 2025.
“We are literally citizens of the heart. We truly are people born and living so that we can express from the heart and create,” she read in part. “We are meant to connect from our hearts to grow and amplify the support that is all around us …
“There is so much more I want to say. It is now time for me to live out my biggest dream which is peace.”
The group adjourned to the main hall, where food from Dim Sum and Then Sum was available, along with beverages and various baked treats. The cash bar was open, and Todd Bugbee’s band Dead Roses played for dancers or nostalgic wallflowers.
Musician Tony Glaser took over about 2:30pm for a mid-afternoon singalong of a tune he had written with Jendala—she had supplied the words, he the music. And on Jendala Day, everyone sang her “Heart’s Song.”
“I’m unbreakable,
I’m incredible,
My body’s strong,
My mind is powerful,
I’m powerful, I’m powerful, I’m powerful …”
Mark Themig, a close friend of Jen’s in recent years, was in a position to coordinate both city and community resources for the ceremony. “I think it was exactly what Jen would have wanted and enjoyed herself,” he said.
Like others, he admitted to tears overflowing during the singing of “Heart’s Song.”
“You know, the parts of the lyrics when she talks about being unbreakable—I think at that point it just really hit home that we will all succumb someday to …” he trailed off.
“But in her battle, she was invincible and she was a warrior,” he added, “and she gave it everything that she possibly could.”
