The Purdue Veterinary Medicine community is saddened to learn of the passing of an alumna and retiree, Jessie Farrington, of Rochester, New York, on February 14, 2026, due to a difficult recovery from a broken hip. She was just one month shy of her 97th birthday.
A native of Mount Vernon, New York, Farrington was raised in the small town of Chesterfield, New Hampshire. She received her BA degree from Salem College in Winston-Salem, North Carolina in 1955; her MA from the University of Connecticut in 1958; and her PhD in English from the University of New Mexico in 1968. During her career, she taught English grammar and literature from secondary through doctoral levels. She also spent time teaching English in Puerto Rico before returning to the states to become the academic dean at New Mexico Highlands University in 1980.
Always an animal lover, she later decided to change careers. She enrolled in the Veterinary Technology program at Purdue University in 1987, became a Licensed Veterinary Technician, and then accepted a position in the Purdue University Veterinary Hospital’s ICU, where she worked for 11 years before retiring in 2001.
A year into retirement, she realized that retirement did not agree with her and she got involved in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) at Purdue. Not surprisingly, she became a favorite among her students because, in addition to teaching them English grammar, she also guided them in how to use their newfound language skills to adapt to American society, by taking them shopping and square dancing, and helping them participate in other American activities. She was loved by her students, many of whom continued to communicate with her long after they graduated.
Another important aspect of her life was physical fitness and she continued going to the gym well into her 90s. She enjoyed extremely good health up until her accident.
After many years of living in West Lafayette, where she had many dear friends, she spent her final four years in Rochester, New York, close to her daughter, granddaughters, and great grandchildren. Her daughter Nancy and granddaughters were by her side when she passed.
A private family service will be held this summer. Memorial donations may be made to the Humane Society of Greater Rochester, Lollypop Farm, 99 Fairport Rd., Victor, NY 14450, or to an animal organization of your choice, since animals, especially dogs, were so dear to her heart.
