Jennifer Griffin's Passing: Caring For Her Family

Dear family and friends of Jennifer,

 

Jennifer passed away on the morning of March 30 at her home after a two year battle with cervical cancer that metastasized widely and aggressively.

 

Now, as the family mourns, they must also turn their sights to the future. Cedar moved to Oakland, Arcata is hoping to attend the University of California in the fall. Xanthe will transition from home-schooling for the first time and matriculate as a freshman at Berkeley High School. Oak will continue to homeschool with the goal of preparing for entry into a public school system.

Rob has taken a temporary leave of absence from his position as a beloved 5th-grade teacher at Glenview Elementary School in Oakland so that he can conclude Jen's affairs and be fully present to support Oak, Xanthe, Arcata, and Cedar’s transitions.

 

Speaking plainly: Rob is hella stressed out, burnt out, and wrung out. He and the children desperately need the support of their community. In particular, due to Rob's leave of absence, they're in significant need of help with:

Lingering medical expenses from Jen's palliative care

Memorial expenses

Mental health support for the whole family

Childcare expenses during this transition period

Housecleaning and organizing expenses

Upcoming educational expenses

All the frantic miscellanea that nobody predicts but it sure does stress you out when it pops up

Your support will not only directly reduce the family’s financial burden, but will give Rob some breathing room as he steps fully into his new role as the guiding light, guardian, and launching pad of his and Jen's children.

 

Please give whatever you can. No amount is too small. Rob and Jen long nurtured their community because they have always known that community is what would make the world a good and righteous place for their children to live in. Thank you for being a part of the realization of her wishes.

Jen will be buried naturally at Fernwood Cemetery on April 7th in the afternoon, fulfilling her wish to be buried in a place where the mushroom mycellium of the earth will be nourished by her and become one with.