Jennifer Neidinger, patient care manager, Immunology, Allergy & Retrovirology and Rheumatology, died February 9 at the age of 43.
Jennifer joined Texas Children’s Hospital in 2002 as an ER nurse, a position she held for 10 years before progressing through the Ambulatory areas of Nursing Education, Multidisciplinary Clinic, Renal Services. In 2019 the Allergy/Immunology, Retrovirology and Rheumatology Services welcomed Jennifer as the patient care manager for the respective clinics. In her time with IAR and Rheumatology, Jennifer’s expertise was demonstrated in the smooth operations of the clinics and her tireless support for our clinical teams during this unprecedented pandemic, all while battling her own illness. Jennifer was truly an exemplary employee, regardless of her private battle, she continued to serve the patients and families with passion and dedication.
In addition to her love of working with children, Jennifer passionately believed in the fair and ethical treatment of animals. She even chose a vegetarian lifestyle and adopted a rescue pup named Rex Norman. She delighted in sharing stories of the goofy dog who entered rooms backwards and believed everything was his to chew; including her beloved Snoopys. Like Rex Norman, we too will miss Jennifer in our daily lives.
Jennifer was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Mary Jane and Joseph Jensen; her paternal grandfather, Jerome Neidinger, and her eldest cousin, Chad Gartzke. She is survived by her loving parents, Mary Jo and Jeff Neidinger of Kingwood; sister Melissa and husband Gus Lemus; nephew Jaxson; paternal grandmother Edith Neidinger; aunts Nancy Gartzke and Gloria Mershon; and uncles Joe Jensen and Richard Neidinger and families.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Houston SPCA in memory of Jennifer’s love of animals.