Amherst Central High School

We are saddened by the loss of our classmate and friend Jennifer (Len) Krebuszewski. On February 2, 2004 she lost her 1 1/2 year battle with cancer. Below you will find a tribute from her good friend Hallie (Torrell) Saxena as well as a photo album.

Tribute to Jen

The first thing I ever noticed about Jennifer Len was how tiny she was. We were in the shellac-reeking gym of Windermere Elementary school, in the early 70’s, and it was the first time of many that we’d stand adjacent to one another, toeing an imaginary line before a hapless photographer who clicked away in vain as he attempted to coax a mass of restless, uncooperative children to smile at the same time. It was then that Jen’s and my friendship began, ignited by our commiseration over being the two shortest kids in our class. Over the years, though Jen’s and my height-predicament changed little, our friendship did as we discovered our many commonalities including our shared love of art, music, and books. Even back in those early years, Jen stood out as a seriously talented artist and regularly won awards and recognition from teachers and students alike for her artistic accomplishments. We also loved language and reading, and I distinctly remember the two of us sitting in a home-economics class in middle school, covertly using our “cooking” and “sewing” time to discuss books that we were reading and to converse in French to the dismay of our teacher (and to our practically-minded delight; hey – even back then we were smart enough to know we’d never actually sew our own clothing or subject our loved ones to that awful snickerdoodle recipe; however, as we surmised, knowing some French has come in handy!).

As well as her academic gifts, Jen had so many more special attributes. I treasured her sheer ebullience; she had a unique vitality and unwavering optimism for life that spilled over and touched everyone she interacted with. Even as a kid, she had a special grace about her that manifested in surprising and arresting ways. For example, in middle school, when the greatest concern for most of us girls was which outfit to wear, Jen was diagnosed with diabetes and had to test her glucose levels every day and self-administer insulin shots to manage the disease. Yet because she had such an unflappable nature, Jen was never bitter or self-pitying; she simply accepted it and moved on with her characteristic grace. Little did she know that in her suffering lied a tremendous gift to those of us who she trusted with the news of her illness: perspective. How petty the throes of adolescence seemed in comparison to the very personal and real suffering of a friend. Apparel choices and adolescent angst were clarified for what they really were: insignificant distractions. And, when walking together on a chilly fall afternoon, Jen nonchalantly confided in me that she could eventually go blind from the disease, she demonstrated to me something that, to this day, I hold in my heart: courage. We cried together that afternoon, but in all the years I knew her, it was the only time I ever saw her upset. (Well, okay – besides the time I gave her an ill-conceived makeover. My bad!)

Which brings me to yet another of Jen’s special qualities – her capacity for forgiveness. Even when wronged, Jen had the ability to easily forgive others’ shortcomings, laugh things off, and move on. And her laugh – filled with such joy… when I close my eyes and think of Jen, I can hear peals of her bubbling, infectious laughter as clear as though we’re still standing next to each other in that dreadful line in the gym, shoulder to shoulder, as we giggle over the absurd, inescapable humiliations of childhood….

As I sit writing this, fat snowflakes dance in the night sky; behind them, the electric city skyline pulses with energy. I see these beautiful, delicate masterpieces right outside the glass and marvel how life is as fragile as they – one moment our precious, treasured, wondrous loved ones are here and the next – they’re gone forever and all we have left are the memories and some pieces of paper with their image. Through my grief, though, I have to believe that they remain with us – their essence – at least. My husband is an electrical engineer and through him I’ve learned about the many types of invisible energy waves that surround us all the time. Spiritual energy – that intangible but so very palpable quality that draws you to someone – it can’t just disappear. I’ve been reading up on this quite a bit lately. The wind sings and an invisible icy ribbon of air comes through the sash and brushes my cheek, and I swear I can hear Jen, my beautiful friend so tiny in stature but enormous in spirit, laughing with approval.

- Hallie Saxena 3/1/08

Class of '88 Memorial to Jen at Roswell Park Cancer Institute

Dear Classmates ~

As most of you know, our dear friend and classmate, Jen Len, passed away tragically from breast cancer at the young age of 33. Her son Cole was just a toddler when she passed and he's now almost seven. A bunch of classmates came up with the great idea of a group gesture to express our sympathy to Cole, Joe (Jen's husband), and Jen's family, and to let them know how much she meant to us.

Many of us are familiar with Roswell Park Cancer Institute, the venerated local cancer center where Buffalonians and folks from all over the country go to receive the best care in cancer treatment. Jen received her treatment at Roswell and her family continues to have strong ties there. Roswell has a memorial program, which would be a great way for our class to commemorate Jen's life while also supporting cancer research, prevention, and treatment: (http://www.roswellpark.org/Site/Giving/Donate_To_Cancer_Research_Care/The_Roswell_Park_Walk_of_Life/Permanent_Naming_Opportunities)

A 4 x 8 stone memorial is $500. A 12 x 12 paver memorial is $1,000. A tree or teak bench is $2,500. Her family gets to pick the location of the memorial in the park. The engraving will say "In honor of Jennifer Len, from Amherst High School Class of 1988". If you would like to contribute to this beautiful group gesture, please make your donation - in any amount – by Friday, June 20^th. This is a Roswell deadline, so it is firm. All amounts are welcome and sincerely appreciated. $10, $25, $50, $100… it's all good. I will pool the contributions and provide individual follow-up/photos of the memorial to all contributors if you give me your email. Please make your checks out to "Hallie Saxena" and mail them by Friday, June 20^th to:

Hallie Saxena

6100 City Avenue, # 1518

Philadelphia PA 19131.

Please feel free to email me at: halliesaxena@gmail.com if you have any questions.

Lastly, thanks so much to everyone for your touching comments about Jen (several below). Please keep them coming and I will compile and share them with her family. On a different note, when I read everyone's profiles on the reunion website, it struck me how extraordinary each of you are and how uniquely gifted each classmate is. Such a broad array of professions and accomplishments. Several months ago, I was musing that if we all pooled our talents and energies together, we could accomplish something really special. In a small way, this is our opportunity to do just that. – h J

"I read (Jen's) memorial. I cried. I can't imagine leaving my little babies behind at such a young age."

"I remember being greeted by (Jen's) perfect smile and amazing eyes every morning… I hope in some small way her son and husband know how much she meant to those of us who are strangers to them."