Independent animator/educator/writer Wendy Jackson Hall passed away Nov. 14, 2005, at Harrison Hospital in Bremerton, Washington. She was hospitalized over the past weekend for blood clots in her lungs and was trying to get stabilized enough undergo biopsies for cancer when she died at age 32 of complications from the clots.
An alumnus of the Rhode Island School of Design (1995), she was part of the early core of AWN & ANIMATION WORLD MAGAZINE, which she joined in 1996 as a sales rep and advanced to associate editor of the magazine. She departed the online publication at the end of 1999 and went on to write about animation for many publications such as the ANIMATION JOURNAL, ANIMATION MAGAZINE, ASIFA NEWS, AWN, THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER, VARIETY and WIRED MAGAZINE.
Prior to AWN, she was general manager of the International Animated Film Society's Los Angeles chapter (ASIFA-Hollywood), where she coordinated events such as the 1995 Annie Awards and the 1996 Animation Opportunities Expo.
While a busy freelance journalist specializing in animation, she taught animation production courses at Santa Monica College as well as schools in California and Massachusetts before getting married to Porter Hall and moved up to Bainbridge Island, Washington in 2001 where she continued to teach, write, animate and consult to animation clients that included AtomFilms and Nicktoons. Jackson Hall served the Ottawa 00 International Jury.
Her husband writes, Wendy shared her love of animation with the children of Bainbridge Island and other communities through her business, Animated Adventures. She taught workshops and served as artist in residence in schools throughout the Seattle area, enabling children to create their own animated films. On Bainbridge Island, Wendy also became known as the puppet lady, responsible for creating the Puppets on Parade workshops, at which she inspired community residents of all ages to create art for the 2004 and 2005 Fourth of July parades.
In addition to her work as a teacher and artist, Wendy was the current president of the Pacific NW Chapter of ASIFA, board member of ASIFA International and a member of the Bainbridge Island Chamber of Commerce.
More than anything else, Wendy loved children and sharing her love of animation with them. She also enjoyed spending time with her family, friends, and her dog Cinder. She will be sorely missed by those who knew her, he expressed.
The founding and current members of AWN were shocked and saddened to learn of her early death and honor her deep commitment to the art of animation. More about her activities can be found at her site, www.jacksonhall.com or (www.animatedadventures.com).
She is survived by her husband; her parents, William and Jane Jackson of Cataumet, Massachusetts; and her brother, Andrew Jackson of Santa Barbara, California, as well as by many nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Nov. 19 at 3:00 pm at the Seabold United Methodist Church, 6894 NE Seabold Road off of the 305 on Bainbridge Island. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations to either the Bainbridge Island Arts & Humanities Council or the Boys & Girls Club of Bainbridge Island. Arrangements are entrusted to Kass & Cook Family Funeral Home on Bainbridge Island, (206) 842-2642 or (360) 779-7872 or by email: info@Kasscook.com
An east coast memorial service will be held near her hometown in Medfield, Massachusetts, at the Medfield Church on Dec. 3.
Anyone who wishes to post memories, stories, images, tributes for Wendy can send them to porter@jacksonhall.com. Cards may be mailed to Porter Hall, 15338 Harvey Rd. Bainbridge Island, Washington, 98110. Details for an AWN tribute will be announced shortly.
Marcy and Amy Kravitz are working on organizing a special RISD tribute, possibly in the form of a scholarship in Wendy's name, to be given to someone who shares her passion and enthusiasm for animation, as well as a special screening of films that inspired her, were inspired by her, and/or were made by Wendy herself, reports Missy Chimovitz. She will pass on any ideas or suggestions, and may be contacted by email at missy@fiftyfootgirl.com.
