By Kerry Saltonstall, a secret admirer (and Director of Communications)
Just as the memories and stories were just starting to form around a great Tabor Day that celebrated all that is great and whole and fun about our bond across the years, someone left us. She quietly made her departure in the night after enjoying life to the fullest. On October 22, we lost Jen Forker, a powerful and fierce advocate, our colleague, a Tabor parent, and a friend to so many.
Jen Forker was a nurse in our Health Center, caring for all of us in so many ways. Whether it was cheering us up after a tough test, or some difficulty at home, tending a scratch or a deep wound, Jen was there with a smile and the right advice. She was a straight shooter, not afraid to administer some tough love as it was warranted, but always with a pat and a smile to let you know she was there to help if you needed her further support. Jen touched many of us faculty and students in her quiet and strong way.
Eighteen months ago, Jen became suddenly ill and had to take leave of her position. She needed to focus on her health and save her energy to fight a new diagnosis that had snuck up on her, trying to force her attention away from all she knew of the future, all that she loved and counted on.
Jen was brave and strong in the face of this adversity. She put herself and her family first, and I am not kidding you when I say that she fought like a lioness. Her will over her disease was incredible, and none of who knew her private struggle with it will ever be the same after being her witness.
After trying every possible miracle, her family, our family, lost her to the disease. We are grateful for every time she prioritized some time with us, even as it would have been easier for her to stay home and rest. Tabor Day was one of the days she gave over to us: Sitting along the sidelines with her family and friends in the sunshine, watching her son Ben’s soccer game, it would be her last community day with us, and it is one we will treasure.
We lost a fierce advocate for health, for loving kindness, for friendship, and family. She was a role model for so many of her friends, her family, and colleagues. I hope my small tribute to Jen Forker will allow us to remember how much we admired and loved her, how we appreciated her friendship, and the many contributions she made to our Tabor community.
To enjoy a final lesson from Jen on a life well lived, please see her obituary here, which outlines services for her on November 3 at 1:00PM in Rochester, MA.
Godspeed and love, Jen.
Jen Forker (bottom left - second in) at Tabor Day, enjoying her family and friends along the sidelines of her son’s soccer game on a beautiful fall day: a great day to be a Seawolf. #alwaysaseawolf
