I'll never forget my friend Jef, or the night our mutual friend Justin Morse called to tell me she'd been killed in a climbing accident. Her life, faith and friendship, and her tragic loss at a young age, touched me deeply.
I still have the clipping from the Wed. Sept. 15, 1982 IJ that said: "She died in the outdoors she loved:" Jenifer "Jef" Olson died Sunday while technical mountain climbing Bear Creek Spire on Sierra Crest between Mammoth and Bishop with her father, brother and a very close family friend. She died instantly when a huge rock crashed down from above, "the granite boulder hit [her] on the head and back." There was nothing anyone could do.
She was 23 but she had already done a lot in her life. She had a vitality and spirit for living that was infectious. She was one who shared and gave of herself lovingly. She was friend to many, was active in TL Peer Counseling. She enjoyed singing in the TL choir and madrigal groups, and playing the guitar as part of folk services at Lucas Valley Community Church. She was a skilled and avid outdoorswoman who enjoyed skiing, backpacking, canoeing and sailing.
Jef had a warm, happy spirit and reached out to those around her whether friends or strangers. She graduated from Whitworth College in 1981, and was working in outreach to youth with her sense of humor, sensitivity, faith and her music. Her parents set up the "Jef Olsen Outreach Scholarship" in memory of the "Significant Life" she led in 23 short years. It still is funding students involved with community outreach in her memory.
Her life overlapped with mine in our youth, but her love, faith and friendship -- her memory -- have stayed with me a lifetime.
Jennifer, 'Jef' was my best friend throughout high school, and her warmth, enthusiasm, and love for the Lord was warm and wonderful. I miss her, but I know I'll see her in heaven. Diane (Dambley) Andre, 1/9/08
Robyn Cornett (Myers)
I'll never forget my friend Jef, or the night our mutual friend Justin Morse called to tell me she'd been killed in a climbing accident. Her life, faith and friendship, and her tragic loss at a young age, touched me deeply.I still have the clipping from the Wed. Sept. 15, 1982 IJ that said: "She died in the outdoors she loved:" Jenifer "Jef" Olson died Sunday while technical mountain climbing Bear Creek Spire on Sierra Crest between Mammoth and Bishop with her father, brother and a very close family friend. She died instantly when a huge rock crashed down from above, "the granite boulder hit [her] on the head and back." There was nothing anyone could do.
She was 23 but she had already done a lot in her life. She had a vitality and spirit for living that was infectious. She was one who shared and gave of herself lovingly. She was friend to many, was active in TL Peer Counseling. She enjoyed singing in the TL choir and madrigal groups, and playing the guitar as part of folk services at Lucas Valley Community Church. She was a skilled and avid outdoorswoman who enjoyed skiing, backpacking, canoeing and sailing.
Jef had a warm, happy spirit and reached out to those around her whether friends or strangers. She graduated from Whitworth College in 1981, and was working in outreach to youth with her sense of humor, sensitivity, faith and her music. Her parents set up the "Jef Olsen Outreach Scholarship" in memory of the "Significant Life" she led in 23 short years. It still is funding students involved with community outreach in her memory.
Her life overlapped with mine in our youth, but her love, faith and friendship -- her memory -- have stayed with me a lifetime.
Diane Dambley (Andre)
Jennifer, 'Jef' was my best friend throughout high school, and her warmth, enthusiasm, and love for the Lord was warm and wonderful. I miss her, but I know I'll see her in heaven. Diane (Dambley) Andre, 1/9/08