Jennifer Elaine Deppmeier (Wright)
After a courageous and inspiring fight, Jennifer Elaine Deppmeier (Wright) of Santa Ynez, CA passed away on Friday, May 25th, 2018 surrounded by family at St. John’s Medical Center at the age of 42. Despite the challenges arising from being diagnosed with bladder cancer in 2010, she lived life to the fullest, pursuing what she enjoyed at every opportunity.
Jennifer was born on June 1, 1975 in Canoga Park, California to Paul and Cheryl Wright. When Jennifer was young, the Wrights moved to Novato, CA. She attended schools in Novato including San Jose Jr High and Novato High School. During that time, she cultivated her love of travel by becoming an exchange student to both Denmark and Spain. She was active in the International Order of Rainbow for Girls and represented the State of California in Australia. Jennifer went on to study at U.C. Santa Barbara, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Ecology and Evolution. She met her husband Tom in Santa Barbara and they married in 1999. Tom remembers the first time Jen walked into the room, when he saw her bright smile and realized that his world had been forever changed. Tom and Jen had two sons Augie and Luke, and Jennifer dedicated herself to being a fun, creative mother to them. During their young years, between supporting the boys at school, baseball and football games, Jennifer earned her teaching credential from CSU Channel Islands and began teaching. In 2012, she found her dream job and became the garden teacher at Ballard School, allowing her to pursue her two passions, gardening and teaching. The Butterfly Garden at Ballard School was the result of Jennifer’s vision, hard work and dedication and will be named in her honor early next school year.
A glint in her eyes, a gleaming smile, a continual bustle in her kitchen and laughter were constants for those lucky enough to be in Jennifer’s orbit. Friendships blossomed and family bonds deepened in the world of food and humor that she created. She loved to host dinners that included days of planning and cooking, using organic fruit, vegetables and herbs from her garden. These dinners often turned into several day parties where she encouraged her intrepid friends to camp over in her yard. She made her life a well-tended garden full of friends and laughter. Jen enjoyed adventuring far and wide, from Australia to Italy, and New York to Montana, but her favorite was traveling in the family motor home and finding stunning scenery and lakes full of trout, all while spending quality time with her boys.
Jennifer is survived by her husband Thomas and two sons Augustine and Luke and her dog Charlie of Santa Ynez, CA, her parents Paul and Cheryl Wright of Carpinteria, CA, her two sisters, Lani (Jack) Garfield of Palm Springs, CA and Laurie (Mark) Matthews of Carpinteria, CA as well as her supportive Deppmeier in-laws, nieces and nephews, cousins and many loving and life-long friends.
The family would like to thank the Physicians and Nurses at Cottage Hospital in Santa Barbara, St. John’s Medical Center in Santa Monica, and the Angeles Clinic in Santa Monica for the tremendous care and treatment provided to Jennifer over the years.
A celebration of Jennifer’s life is scheduled for Friday, June 22nd at 5:00PM at the Deppmeier residence. All are welcome to attend to reminisce, dance and celebrate Jennifer’s life.