Dear Jenny,
What lovely lady you were...
Xo always,
Teresa

Professor Rich quickly became my best friend at Hofstra. Her office door was always wide open for debate, discussion, therapy sessions and infinite cups of coffee. She made me feel welcomed, wanted and safe. Her sense of humor and thunderous laugh will be missed. 

Thank you for all that you contributed and instilled in me, Professor Rich. I will never forget you. 

I first encountered Jenny, even if it were only by snail mail, around 1995, a decade before she came to Hofstra.  She had responded to a call for papers I'd sent out for a volume that eventually became the book The Queer Sixties.  She'd sent a proposal for an essay on the film The Children's Hour, and I was impressed by the intelligence and quality of her work.  I was overjoyed when she joined us at Hofstra.

Through all the years I have known Jenny, she has been one of the most caring, generous, thoughtful, and dedicated people in my life.  I shall miss her terribly.  My heart goes out to Faith and all her family.  Rest in peace, dear friend.

I feel so fortunate to have been able to teach with Jenny.  It was a sheer delight!  What a sharp mind and probing curiosity she had, what a gift for clarity of explanation, what empathy with students.  I am heartbroken, picturing her warm smile.

Stunned and heartbroken at this loss for Jenny's family, colleagues, and students.  On campus, Jenny was the soul of strong leadership:  she listened, she sought to understand, she always acted for the greater good.  Jenny made a difference.  Will miss her easy smile and her faith in the every day. 

I'm so sorry to hear of Jenny's passing. I only knew her a short time, sadly. My sincere condolences to the family.

Jenny invited me and the LGBTQ Studies Program to welcome John "Longjones" Abdallah Wambere to Hofstra to share his story and film Call me Kuchu. It was the beginning of a wonderful and fulfilling friendship. I admire so many things about Jenny, including her Shakespeare insights, her organizational skills, her dedicatiion to students and faculty, but especially her devotion to her wife Faith, her children, her father; her generosity, her spirit - she was a mensch in all senses. She will be missed so very much. <3 

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Jennifer Rich

September 5, 1966 – June 29, 2019

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