New Haven Library Window Dedicated to Jennifer Pugh

NEW HAVEN, CT - A large crowd of the city's movers and shakers - both past and present - came to the New Haven Free Public Library to witness the dedication of a stained glass window on Monday night to Jennifer Pugh, who passed away last December 8th.

Before the unveiling of the window, friends, co-workers, mayors, police chiefs and family read stirring tributes to a woman that all remembered as selfless, loving, caring - mostly for everyone else, her city, her library.

Pugh, 65, was the longest serving Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for the City of New Haven, from 1998 to her retirement in 2017.

John DeStefano, Jr., who served as mayor of the city for two decades, had the huge gather chuckling when he recalled that while City Hall was "full of drama queens and drama kings," that wasn't Jennifer Pugh.

"There was no drama with Jennifer," DeStefano said. "Jen showed up without the drama."

Michael Morand, president of the New Haven Free Public Library Board of Directors, said the stained glass window is a fitting tribute for someone who was "here for the library in good time and bad times.

Morand said what many other said about Pugh, that she never "sought any credit" for the work she did.

"Selfless" was a term heard often during the evening's ceremonies.

Police Chief Anthony Campbell remembered that during a particular trying time during his tenure in the department before he became chief that Pugh recognized it, came over to him, and suggested the two of them simply "pray together."

He said it was a moment he still remembers to this day - though that particular trying moment happened more than a decade ago.

The window was designed by local artist and Pugh's good friend, Robert Mele, and was constructed by Branford stained glass artist Jayne Crowley.

The work reflects the nine squares of New Haven and depicts parts of the city Pugh loved the most.

Mele said about the work: “The inspiration for this memorial window begins with Jennifer’s love of New Haven, our love for Jennifer and city images connected to her work.

“Combined with my love of New Haven and especially the Nine Squares symbolism, I’ve chosen locations and abstractions that most signify this wonderful city and meant so much to Jen...the elegant architecture of City Hall, the beautiful New Haven Free Public Library, the iconic Three Churches on The Green, The New Haven Green itself, our majestic Lighthouse and Shoreline, the historic Carousel, the excellence we proudly demonstrate in the Arts, combining Theater, Music and Fine Arts, and of course, Yale University.

“I am pleased that I was able to show Jen and early draft of the design, and I hope that we have done her proud with this memorial so filled with color and spirit, and one that reflects the love and dedication of those involved in its creation.”

The event and the fundraising effort involved was coordinated by Maggie Targove, deputy chief administrative officer for the city of New Haven.