OBITUARY

Danette Goulet

CORONA DEL MAR -- She was a vivid splash of color in many lives and

taught others how they, too, might express their vibrancy.

So while many mourn the loss of Selly Jenny, 73, a 31-year resident of

Corona del Mar who passed away last month, she left behind a legacy that

will last.

An artist by training and a jack of all trades in practice, Jenny was

best known in Newport Beach for her work with the Orange County chapter

of the Alzheimer’s Assn. and as the inspiration behind the Memories in

the Making program.

“She implemented the program to have Alzheimer’s patients viewed not

as empty shells of people, but as people who just had difficulty

expressing themselves,” said her daughter-in-law, Jill D’Angelo-Jenny.

“She gave them a way to express themselves visually.”

The work she began with Alzheimer’s patients here in Orange County is

now a national program.

Her program gives patients the opportunity to find themselves and

retain what memories remain for them, through painting.

“She sought out individuals with Alzheimer’s disease,” Linda Scheck,

executive director of the Orange County chapter, wrote of Jenny. “She

would give them a means to tell their stories in bold colors and splashes

of line. They could share their own unique memories and emotions trapped

within, with the world outside. And the world would never be the same.”

While this was one of her greatest contributions, friends and family

said it was one of many.

Her daughter-in-law described the once actress, model, race car

driver, stewardess and decorator as “alarmingly creative.”

“She lived so many lives,” D’Angelo-Jenny said. “I have, in the

process of dealing with her estate, gone to many of the shops she

frequented. The sales people discuss how lovely it was to have her come

in the store because she brought such excitement with her.”

But along with that excitement came a sense of humor and compassion.

“She had a great wealth of friends from all walks of life,”

D’Angelo-Jenny said. “Many say, ‘I’m going to miss Selly because I always

felt I could call her any time and she always had incredible insights to

offer me.”’

A memorial service will be held 1:30 p.m. today at St. Michael and All

Angels Church, 3323 Pacific View Drive, Corona del Mar.