Compassionate therapist, volunteer, world traveler

Jennifer Jane Fog, known affectionately as Jenny, died on April 26 in Chongqing, China, while on a long-awaited journey through a country she had always hoped to visit. She was 76 years old.

Born May 14, 1949, Jenny lived a life defined by compassion, service, faith, and curiosity about the world. She dedicated herself to those whom society too often overlooks, believing deeply in the dignity and worth of every person. Whether through her professional work, volunteer service, or personal relationships, she consistently stood alongside people facing hardship, injustice, and suffering.

Her commitment to helping others was rooted in both her Christian faith and her conviction that every person deserved respect, care, and opportunity. These values guided her throughout her life and career.

After earning her undergraduate degree from Ashland College in Ohio, she pursued graduate studies in psychology at the University of Mississippi, where she earned her Ph.D. While in Mississippi, she worked as a social worker serving some of the poorest communities in the United States. There she witnessed firsthand the challenges faced by people and families living in poverty and developed an even deeper commitment to advocacy, justice, and compassionate care.

After completing her doctorate she moved to California, which remained her home for the rest of her life. Over the course of a distinguished career spanning more than 40 years, she worked for a variety of organizations while also maintaining a private practice specializing in cognitive behavioral therapy. Through her practice, she helped countless people navigate life’s difficulties and discover pathways toward healing, resilience, and hope.

In the final chapter of her professional career she served with the Department of Veterans Affairs, helping veterans struggling with PTSD and other serious mental health challenges. She considered it an honor to support those who had served their country and remained deeply committed to their care and well-being.

Her compassion extended far beyond her profession. She volunteered with the Red Cross, providing disaster relief to communities in crisis. She traveled several times to the U.S.-Mexico border to assist immigrants seeking safety and opportunity. She visited a local prison, offering companionship, encouragement, and hope to incarcerated people. Wherever she encountered people who were struggling, isolated, or forgotten, she sought to be present and to help.

A woman of strong Christian faith, she was an active member of Claremont United Church of Christ. There she found a spiritual home and a community committed to justice, inclusion, and service. Her faith was not merely something she believed; it was something she lived each day through acts of kindness, advocacy, and love for her neighbor.

Jenny was also an avid traveler whose curiosity about people, cultures, and places enriched her life. In retirement, she looked forward to exploring more of the world and fulfilling dreams that had been postponed by years of service. Her final journey to China was a treasured bucket list adventure. Seeing the Great Wall, visiting the giant pandas, and experiencing the history and culture of China were deeply important to her. It is fitting that she spent her final days on earth engaged in one of the pursuits she loved most — discovering the wider world with wonder and enthusiasm.

Beyond her professional accomplishments and volunteer service, she found joy in books, music, and lifelong learning. She was an avid reader whose intellectual curiosity never faded. Music was a constant companion throughout her life. She especially loved the blues, a passion rooted in her years living in the American South, as well as classical music.

“Jenny is survived by her sister, Karen; her brother-in-law, David; her beloved nephew, Andrew; and her friend for over 55 years (more a sister than friend), Hyun Ja, all of whom will cherish her memory and miss her deeply,” her family shared.

“Those who knew Jenny remember a woman of intelligence, conviction, warmth, and unwavering compassion,” her family said. “She listened deeply, cared generously, and never stopped believing in the possibility of healing and hope. She challenged others to see the humanity in every person and modeled a life devoted to justice, mercy, and service. Though she will be profoundly missed by her family, friends, colleagues, church community, and the many people whose lives she touched, her legacy endures in the countless acts of care she offered, and in the lives transformed by her compassion.

“In the words of Scripture that so beautifully reflect her life: ‘What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?’

“May her memory be a blessing and an inspiration to all who knew and loved her.”