UPDATED: Dedicated Teacher Jenny Brown Loses Battle to Cancer

After a long and hard-fought battle with cancer, first-grade teacher Jenny Brown passed away peacefully on Monday afternoon at Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo.  She was surrounded by her family and friends.

"I know you join the George White staff in mourning her loss, but also celebrate her life and the dedicated teacher that she was," Principal Michael Spelber wrote in a note to parents sent via listserve. "This year Jenny was the George White Teacher of the Year, an honor she very much deserved.  At this time, we have no information on services.  We will pass along information as it becomes available to us."

Natalie Wade will finish the school year as the substitute teacher, he added.

Grief counselors will be on campus Thursday morning to help anyone who might need to their assistance. 

More about Jenny Brown, from her profile page on the school's website:

"I have been teaching at George White since 2001 and truly love working with children in the primary grades. Prior to that, I taught at Palisades in Capistrano Beach for three years and also was employed by L.A. Unified School District for eight years as a kindergarten teacher.

With regard to my educational background, I graduated from Loyola Marymount University where I received my Bachelor's Degree in French and my Elementary Teaching Credential. In addition, I also went through the masters program in French at U.C.L.A. and received my Bilingual Certificate of Competence in Spanish at U.S.C.

I am married and have three wonderful children and husband. My family and I enjoy traveling and camping in all the national parks. In my spare time, I like to read mysteries and go to the movies."

Rosary/Vigil

O'Connor Mortuary

25301 Alicia Parkway, Laguna Hills

581-4300

Thursday, May 10, at 7:00 p.m.

(Small room and may be crowded)

Funeral Service

Friday, May 11, at 11 a.m.

Corpus Christi Church in Aliso Viejo

27231 Aliso Viejo Parkway, Aliso Viejo

389-9008

Website for directions:  www.avcatholics.org

Burial

Ascension Cemetery

24754 Trabuco Road, Lake Forest

837-1331

www.occem.org

The school has established a scholarship in memory of Brown and wants to present the scholarship to a deserving senior at the Dana Hills High School Awards Ceremony on May 30.  If you wish to contribute to this scholarship fund, the deadline is May 18.

Please follow the guidelines below regarding your contribution:

*Make check payable to “CARE Foundation.”

*Indicate Jeanette Brown on the check.

*Give check to Marcia or Linda in the office.

*Deadline for contributing is Friday, May 18.