Dear members of the UMW community:
With deep sadness, I write to let you know that we have learned about the death of one of our students, Jessica Gentry, who passed away recently from medical complications after an illness. Jessica was a nurse, dedicated to the profession that worked to save her and one in which she showed great promise.
Jessica was in her final semester of the Nursing (BSN) Program at Mary Washington. She took most of her classes online, and in addition to pursuing her passion, she was mom to a six-year-old son. We know she will be dearly missed by friends and family, and we are sharing these details with you by permission of the family.
A service for Jessica will take place this Saturday, Nov. 19, at 11 a.m. at Preddy Funeral Home, 301 S Main St, Gordonsville, VA 22942, with more information available on their website soon.
This news of the untimely death of a member of the campus community comes just after the tragic news and loss of life at our peer institution, the University of Virginia. Our hearts are already heavy, and even so, the Mary Washington community has extended care and concern, supporting classmates across the state and reaching out to colleagues any way we can. Please reach out if you need support too.
The staff members at the Talley Center for Counseling Services are here for any student who may need immediate support this week. Please call (540) 654-1053 to schedule an appointment or connect with after-hours services. Visit the Talley Center website for additional resources. For faculty and staff, information about the Employee Assistance Program, which is available at no cost, may be accessed through the Human Resources website.
We extend our sympathies and support to the University of Virginia and all who have been impacted by the tragedy this week. We also mourn the passing of a member of our campus community. These students have been taken from the world too soon, and we will miss them.
Sincerely,
Troy D. Paino, J.D., Ph.D. President
