Emory Report
September 2, 2008
Volume 61, Number 2

 

   

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September
2, 2008
Longtime employee Jenkins remembered

By Leslie King

“A tireless worker, devoted licensed dietician, and mentor to students and young University staff and faculty,” is how Associate Vice President for Campus Life Ron Taylor describes Helen Jenkins, who will be remembered by many staff, faculty and alumni for those attributes as well.

The 60-year Emory employee died Aug. 7 in Franklin, Tenn., where she had been living in her last years of retirement.

Jenkins came to Emory in 1945 as assistant director of food services, one of Emory’s first professional women administrators. She became director in 1955. When food services was contracted to an outside vendor, she became food service liaison in 1984, a position she held until she retired.

Senior Vice President and Dean of Campus Life John Ford said the “hard-working, very professional” Jenkins was “responsible for many accomplishments and improvements over that long period of time” that she worked at Emory.

Taylor, Jenkins’ supervisor of many years, said in a eulogy: “She was a teacher, a businesswoman, and a dedicated, ethical and devoted professional staff member of Emory University.

“Mrs. Jenkins leaves a legacy to Emory that very likely will never be achieved in the future, much less surpassed.”

Services were held Aug. 11 at First Baptist Church in Decatur where she had been a longtime and active member.