Jennifer Polt

Jennifer Oken Polt, of Baltimore, MD, passed away on Saturday, August 29, 2026 at the age of 54. She is survived by her husband, Rich Polt; sons, Samuel Polt and Ethan Polt; mother, Nancy Oken; brother Gregory Oken; in-laws, Audrey and Leslie Polt; and many close aunts, uncles and cousins. She was predeceased by her father, Jack Oken.

Jennifer was a devoted mother to her boys Samuel and Ethan. From their first breaths to her last, she approached motherhood with selfless intention and an abounding heart. It was a love that could be found in both the grand and mundane. Lunchboxes at Halloween filled with meticulously crafted home-cooked food made to look like miniature mummies and ghouls; turning the garage into a "boy cave" during COVID (complete with foos ball, arcade basketball, and a spray-painting wall); and spur-of-the-moment adventures to destinations near and far. Nothing gave Jennifer a greater sense of reward than exposing Sam and Ethan to the richness, diversity, inequities, and beauty the world has to offer - lessons she drew from her own life experiences.

Born in Queens, NY on April 8, 1972, Jennifer grew up in Norwalk, CT and later in Fairfield, CT. Jennifer attended Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, NY, graduating a semester early to explore her interest in baking. Though she never pursued baking professionally, Jennifer was known for her skill and creativity in the kitchen. Her challahs, oatmeal cookies, apple crisps, and plum tortes were family favorites. During a brief stint in later life as a raw vegan, Jennifer launched a company called Sound Bites, which produced outrageously tasty, dehydrated crackers and granola.

In 1996, Jennifer spent a year living in Harare, Zimbabwe working as an HIV/AIDS educator with school-aged girls. This transformative experience opened Jennifer's eyes to the field of public health and sparked a lifelong passion for international travel and a deep, lasting connection to the African continent. Later in her career, Jennifer worked for Thomson Safaris in Watertown, MA, which led exclusive safari adventures in Tanzania. In this capacity, she was able to introduce her entire family - including her husband and boys - to the continent that captured her spirit. Travel remained an important throughline in Jennifer's life.

In 2001, Jennifer obtained a master's in public health at Boston University's School of Public Health. She went on to work at Brigham and Women's Hospital in the division of infectious disease and at the ALS Therapy Development Foundation in Cambridge, MA. For her many professional roles, Jennifer felt most connected to her work at The Park School of Baltimore, where she served as an administrative assistant to the middle school principal. Not only did the school align with her personal values, and provide a wonderful sense of community, but it placed her near her boys who both attended the institution.

In 2015, Jennifer was diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer, which metastasized to her bones in 2018. At the time of her metastatic diagnosis, her boys were 11 and 8. Jennifer managed her cancer with the same meticulousness and dedication she brought to her many other roles. She consulted professionals far and wide, she conducted independent research, she advocated for herself, and she found purpose in her family. She rarely spoke about her cancer, unwilling to let it define her. Indeed, Jennifer adopted the mantra "don't postpone joy."

In the end, Jennifer didn't just survive cancer; she lived fully with stage 4 disease for eight years. Together with her husband, Rich, she saw both of her sons become Bar Mitzvahs, learn to drive, and watched her older son graduate from Park and leave for college. She lived to see her boys grow into young men, grounded in the same love of food, travel, and family that shaped her life. Jennifer did not postpone joy; she experienced it and created it. She will be profoundly missed by all who knew her.

Services at Sol Levinson's Chapel, 8900 Reisterstown Road, Pikesville, MD 21209 on Tuesday, September 1, 2026 at 10:30 AM. Interment will be held at Serenity Ridge Natural Cemetery. Please omit flowers. Contributions in her memory may be sent to The Park School Tuition Assistance Fund. The family will be in mourning at 210 Club Road, Baltimore (Roland Park), immediately following interment until 4:00 pm. Again from 6:00 - 9:00 pm, with evening services taking place at 7:00 pm. Continuing Wednesday from 1:00 - 4:00 pm and 6:00 - 9:00 pm, with services taking place at 7:00 pm.