Life Tributes for the week of 12/24/19

Jennifer Rebecca Bennett

Jennifer Rebecca Bennett was born on Feb. 21, 1966, and passed from this life on Dec. 10, 2019, in her home surrounded by her dearest loved ones.

Jenny spent most of her life in Quincy. She worked for the school district, ran the Recreation Department’s preschool, then owned and operated One World Creative Learning and Child Care. Jenny was a quiet but constant force in the community, having worked with hundreds of kids from all backgrounds. You probably know a kid she influenced. A cherished and respected early childhood educator, her personal commitment and positive impact lives on through generations of students.

Jenny is survived by her parents, Court and Susie Bennett; her sister, Amy Bennett and nephew, Jakob Carver; her sister and brother-in-law, Julia Leverenz and Nathan B. Leverenz; her partner and best friend, Will Lombardi and their son, Hawk Lombardi. She is precious to us all.

Emotional and philosophical depth defined Jenny’s being. She lived her life thoughtfully, lovingly and with the utmost compassion for all things. Losing her is absolutely heartbreaking but those who knew her well will think of her always with gladness and thanks. Our lives are richer, more peaceful and more hopeful for having experienced her friendship, her imagination and the everyday magic she shared with us. She was contemplative: she loved the sights and sounds of her yard and the woods around it and the creatures that would come and go. She felt and perceived the natural world deeply and approached living with great care. Jenny was patient with all learners and was a friend to the underdog and outsider. As one of her preschoolers once said, “Ms. Jenny teaches peace.” Jenny was a natural storyteller, a gardener and a teacher whose creativity and spiritual nature were boundless. She was a nurturing, devoted mother, a true friend and a truly gifted educator.

Jenny asked that no service be held in her memory. The family asks that you remember her by donating to Plumas Pride (the countywide Gay-Straight Alliance), Eagle Pride (the GSA at Feather River College) or an LGBTQIA+ organization of your choice.