IN MEMORIAM
JENNIFER MORGAN
Jennifer Morgan, who along with her husband John Nugent operated Colorado Wine Co., died on July 11, 2014 after battling leukemia. Jennifer was just 44 years of age. She leaves behind her husband and two school-age children. She and her husband were also among the owners of Sunset Beer in Echo Park.
Per a July 17, 2014 article from the EastsiderLA:
Morgan and her husband were among a new generation of business owners who set up shop along Colorado Boulevard, Eagle Rock’s main commercial street. In 2012, the couple relocated their business a few blocks east. "It is only because of the support [of the community] that we felt secure doing this," Morgan said in an interview with The Eastsider. "We just want to continue being worthy of their support."
The Women’s Twentieth Century Club hosted a "standing room only" memorial service for Jennifer. This is the invite:
Celebration of life for Jennifer Morgan
Wednesday, July 16, 2014 at
The Women's Twentieth Century Club
5105 Hermosa Avenue
LA 90041
Viewing 9 am - 10 am
Service 10 am - 11 am
Street parking
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the
Evie and Walter Nugent Education Fund
A 2012 article on the Eagle Rock Patch talks about the Colorado Wine Company:
Go here to view it.
From the August 5, 2014 Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council newsletter:
"Tonight the ERNC meets at the Women's Twentieth Century Club, and we'll adjourn in memory of Jennifer Morgan Nugent, who passed away on July 11. With her husband John, Jen was co-owner of the Colorado Wine Co., and the most solid of Eagle Rock citizens. More important, she was a wife and mother who leaves behind a family that our village of Eagle Rock owes much to.
If you enjoy what Eagle Rock is, and believe it can only get better, then you have Jen to thank. The success of what's been called the "new" Eagle Rock -- which is really just the same old Eagle Rock, living up to its potential -- is because of young entrepreneurs like Jen, who took a chance on us. Jen was part of a long tradition of keen-eyed businesswomen who saw opportunity here, by encouraging us to stay in Eagle Rock to eat, drink, shop, socialize, and settle down. Eagle Rock has always had issues with reconciling its small-town self-image with its big-city reality; Jen and John instinctively found ways to join the two, and thrived.
There were several prominent politicians at Jen's memorial service at the Women's Twentieth Century Club on July 16; but she was the savviest of them all. Her job, daily, was to be part Sam from "Cheers," part Dr. Melfi from "The Sopranos" -- not to mention a boss, accountant, civic booster and mom. She witnessed Eagle Rockers of all stations at their most convivial, and at their least sober. Like the wisest public figures, she traversed the line between friend and friendly with aplomb; her loyal customers were happy to be anywhere on the spectrum. (Every cool parent in Eagle Rock has a story about that one time Jen allowed their toddler into the bar area.) But she was not so politic that she didn't speak out about the things that incensed her, which were the things that mattered: Garbage on the streets; small-mindedness that stifles progress; sloth and greed in government -- and in general.
Jen was also one of us: She was an ERNC board member in 2009-10. She and I had many conversations over the years about kids, schools, politics, and rarely, wine. She will be missed.
A trust has been set up for Jennifer and John's children. You can donate online by clicking this link, and after you do, go to CoWineCo, and drink a toast or three to Jen.
- David Greene, ERNC President"