Today I found out a dear friend and colleague, Jean Tabaka, passed. Jean was someone very special and had a unique ability to influence and make the world a better place. When asked about what made Rally special, I’d always say collaboration and credit Jean.
There are a few times in life you meet someone like Jean and I had the great privilege to work with her for 13 years. The first time I met Jean, she picked up the phone, called to ask what Ryan and I were doing at F4 Technologies (original name, then Rally, now CA) and said she had to come to Boulder to check it out. We had a lovely chat for an hour or so about the challenges of scaling Agility in a large corporation and at the end of the meeting, while Ryan and I were standing in the reception area, I told him I want to work with her.
She was just wrapping up her Collaboration Explained book. She joined us soon after and her impact on me and those around us was profound.
She was a lovely person, a great thought leader in the world of Agile and collaboration, and one of the most gifted colleague I’ve ever worked with.
Jean you will be sorely missed by the untold numbers of people that you touched with your many gifts.
I’ve included a photo of Jean at a Halloween party in our home in 2004. Brilliant.
I am so sad to hear the news of her death. The short time I had known Jean I admire her enthusiasm for Agile transformation and Rally Software. Please pass on my condolences to her family-God bless.
Jean was an amazing person. She was my mentor at the time I was working to become a Certified Scrum Trainer. She taught me skills just through her behavior and feedback that helped me shine. And those skills were just barely the tip of the iceberg of her broad capabilities across teaching, facilitation and providing feedback.
I am sad that she has passed. I will always cherish the friendship I had with her and the mentorship she provided to me over the years.
Jean was an awesome and insightful person. I learned so much from her and value the memories of our collaborations. We have all lost a cherished colleague today.
I miss you Jean. You are such a beautiful person. This is not fair.
Jean was an amazing person and so many of us learned so much from her. She will be so missed in the Boulder and Agile community.
I find it hard to believe it can be true. The world needed Jean and her work for much longer – not to mention her love and care and big heart..
I am proud to have had her as my friend and she will be in my heart forever
I am so sorry to see this news. What a blessing to have walked a bit of life with this one. Her light shone brightly on us all.
Tim, thank you for writing this about Jean, and for creating a company where Jean could teach us all how to bring our whole selves to work. <3
I can’t believe Jean’s passed on.
I owe my last decade’s work and inspiration to Jean. She recognized, supported, and encouraged me at my first Scrum Gathering and first Open Space; if it weren’t for her, I’m certain, my life would be unthinkably different today. Jean had the gift of inspiring everyone around her…and who else would have thought of having workshop participants write love letters to Agile!
Thank you, Jean, for shining so brightly. Much love.
I gasped when I read it on Twitter. It’s almost impossible to believe.
At conferences, a lot of presenters work (harder than many people know) to make difficult ideas seem simple. Jean always took it a step further, making them seem fun. And she was so fun and funny and easy going.
I’m just crushed at this news. She was one of the greats.
Hard to find words. Many of us owe Jean so much. As I mentioned on Twitter, there is a Tabaka-shaped hole in my heart today.
I don’t know what to write.
Jean on her own had a tremendous impact on the agile community.
For her idea’s but even more for her being.
I don’t like mondays will never be the same. Today I don’t like tuesdays…
y
Devastated. There are too few unique souls in this world, and Jean was one them. I will miss her sense of fun, incredible insights, and wit. She genuinely cared for people and helped us all think differently. I am very glad I had the opportunity to know her, in work, and as a friend in life. She will be deeply missed.
Thanks for sharing Tim. Jean had an amazing ability to make people feel appreciated and cared for. I remember one moment, early in my time at Rally, where I had to give a brief talk at an all hands meeting. I was nervous and it likely showed. After the talk, Jean, who I had not met yet, stopped by my office, introduced herself and told me how much she appreciated my talk. She expressed a real interest in the topic and we continued to talk for 15 mins or so. Her simple gesture made me feel appreciated, important and at ease. It meant a lot to me.
Jean has gone on. Her words, thoughts, smile and that sigh of hers will live in us for as long as we trudge forward on this journey.
Paul Simon singing “Sail on silver bird, sail on high, . . .” is playing in my head.
Sad, sad news. R.I.P Jean, and I will always remember your smile, and your kind, gentle way.
No words, hardly thoughts and lots of emotions when I got the news. Jean changed many lives, certainly mine. Thank you Jean.
Jean was my ‘Sin Twister’ as we often called each other in passing. Her impact on me during my time at Rally was life changing. She showed me how to collaborate in all parts of life. Her philosophies are brilliant. I laughed when a saw this picture, that’s me in the yellow dress. That was a fun party! You will be dearly missed Jean.
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Jean was an inspiration to me. I was fortunate enough to attend her two day facilitation course in DC, after RallyON 2014. She was an amazing and talented person. She’s had a great influence on my career since and will truly be missed!
Jean was a friend and an inspiration. My heart hurts tonight. Jean…you will be sorely missed. ?
The word that comes to mind when I think of Jean, whom I’d known for about 10 years, is “kind”. We can never have enough kindness in the world, and now we have less of it.
The comments on this post and elsewhere are a testament to Jean’s effect on people’s lives.
I had the privilege to attend two of Jean’s talks in London and share a brief chat and a drink with her after the second one in the summer of 2012. I was blown away by the power and simplicity of her words and the warmth she was radiating. For the last four years, I was hoping that our paths would cross again. Now I know that if they do, it will be in a different, better place.
Jean, thank you for teaching us how to collaborate and how to be better people.
Tim, thanks for sharing.
Just dreadful. One of the sweetest, brightest people I’ve ever known, let alone worked with. She was always the brightest spot and dreary conventions and a remarkable sense of fun. I’ll miss Jean.
Jean was one of my early influencers and I’m grateful to have known her.
I admired a lot what Jean did, a true though leader and so much energy to give. She will be remembered with love and respect. Rest in Peace
The world has lost a beautiful soul. Love you, Jean.
Just can’t believe it and don’t know what to write. Rest in Peace.
I didn’t know Jean personally but there is no mistaking her impact on the Agile community. My condolences to her close friends, colleagues and family.
I love you and miss you Jean. Always seemed like we were just continuing a long conversation whenever I saw you. Will always treasure our interactions. Until we meet again, I lift this glass to you!
I’m in shock. It’s hard to know what to write. Jean was her own energy source, a ray of light in any room with any group. Talented, generous, bright, kind, amazing. She graciously agreed to serve as keynote speaker for our first Mile High Agile conference in 2011, and did the talk onstage barefoot, if memory serves me correctly, because it happened to be a special date to bring attention to all those who cannot afford good shoes, and also because she was able to better engage the audience and somehow fold it seamlessly and genuinely into her Agile keynote talk. Brilliant.
I’m so sad to hear this news. I crossed paths only a few times with Jean and could tell what a great mentor and friend she would have been to me had she appeared in my life sooner. Glad for the wonderful role model and friend she was to so many. The agile community will miss you Jean! Sad day indeed.
I only interacted with her a few times, but I will remember her as someone who added to the situation, and never took away. She added joy, kindness, fun, empathy, collaboration, delight, etc.
Her book had a significant effect on my career and I remember devouring it with delight over the course of a weekend.
She will be missed. My condolences to all who knew her.
Jean left a huge impact on this world – she will be deeply missed and frequently remembered. The empathy, compassion and intelligence she brought into every room and every conversation will forever be with us and forever retold. Rest In Peace – Jean. Thanks Tim for sharing this story.
So many lives touched. Thank you Tim for your piece in bringing Jean to the rest of us. She will be so sorely missed.
Very sorry to hear. Best wishes to her family.
I was also one of the benefactors of Jean’s incredible ability to impact people and I am grateful for having the opportunity to spend time with her. Her experience and ideas always made people stop, think and challenge their perceptions. Not many people have that ability and to do it within such a gentle soul is rare. She was always welcoming, supportive and gracious in her presence. The world has lost a great person. Hopefully, we can embrace the spirit and essence of who Jean was and ensure that it continues forward as ambassadors in her absence.
Jean was a mentor, a friend, and a true gem. Our community lost a wonderful spirit.
Jean was a giant in our world as an Agilist, but even more as a wonderful person.
Very sad. I had the privilege of meeting and spending a bit of time with her when she visited China to keynote at one of our Gatherings. Everybody loved her. Warm, sincere, bright, and sharing. The world is a lesser place without her. On behalf of everyone in the China Agile community, our sincere condolences to Jean’s friends and family.
Tim, I appreciate you for finding words when so many of us are at a loss. You must know what an honor she felt it was to work with you and Ryan. I recall her self-deprecating description of being a “previously undetected hiring error.” 😉 Thank you for recognizing her brilliance even when she doubted. Her humility was unfathomable. Her light will shine indefinitely.
This is such a sad news. I refused to believe when i read emails today.
I have interacted wiith her during conferences and and following what she says on twitter as she always had the right perpective on things She leaves a large gap in the agile community. My condolences to her family.
We only met once, but I will always remember Jean as kind, curious and gracious. What she wrote, spoke and shared influenced who I am and who I will become. Peace.
Just found out. Gutted. Jean was influential, gentle, kind and funny. I loved spending time with her when I visited Denver and Boulder. She taught me lots; about people, about potential and teams. She helped create the post on the Community of Thinkers: smaller by one, now, and one of its best. The world is a richer and better place for having had her in it.
Sympathies to the family and hugs to all my friends at CA.
I did not know Jean personally. Our paths crossed several times at events over the years. She had a warm spirit and huge impact on me with our limited interactions, helping me think differently and be a better servant leader. I’m so sad to hear this news. My deepest sympathy to her family and friends.
No words. 🙁
Good-bye Jean….you made a difference.
Thank you for enriching our lives.
Jean was such a positive and inspirational person. Gone way too soon. My thoughts are with her family.
She was generous, bright, kind and fun! She gave us all so much of herself and we learned so much. She will be greatly missed.
I true thought leader that never gave up learning and teaching.
Best as I can recall, I met Jean before she joined Rally. Every time I encountered her, she greeted me like an old friend, and was always so fun, engaging, and polite. I would go to her talks without reading the description, because I knew they would be likewise fun and engaging.
The latest that I’ve heard is that she had some form of blood-pressure issue that she was dealing with for about a year, and passed quietly Sunday on her couch at home.
I will miss you, Jean, my friend.
My condolences, thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends. Thank you, Jean, for the many contributions.
Shocked. Saddened. It was my privilege to get to know Jean a little over the last ten years. She was a mentor, counselor, and friend.
Just heard and am deeply saddened. I remember the first time I met her…. So kind and helpful. Then she came and worked with us. Many after hour conversations figuring out the meaning of life. I thank Jean for the great impact on me and this community. RIP Jean.
Sad to hear this shocking news. A woman who helped, guided and inspired so many. Peace.
I’m a strong believer of the statement that every event has something good, whatever it is…. Jean’s passing is one of those that makes me questioning that…. It was definitely good for so many that she was with us and helped us looking at things from a different perspective, take on different views and focus on different things… It is a great loss that you’re not around anymore, Jean!
Thank you very much for mentioning and reminding us, Tim!
Such a loss and yet she touched so many people. The community has thrived because of people like Jean. It’s just such a shock. She will be missed.
Sad to learn such news. I met Jean in 2007, she was a so kind and empathic woman. She will be missed.
What a bright light! Funny, bold, curious, empathetic. My brief interactions with her were memorable. “Thomas, am I Tweeting right? Help me add a photo.” Now Jean’s loose at the RallyOn reception, selfies and hilarity ensues. Thank you Jean.
Oh my… I’m at a loss for words. I consider Jean and mentor to me. I invited her to visit us in Omaha and teach a couple of CSM courses and was blown away when I saw her in action. I learned many of my facilitation skills from her as she was my inspiration. I will greatly miss her warm smile, infectious positive energy and servant leader spirit.
You will be missed Jean. May you rest in peace my dear.
I feel sad. I miss Jean!
Jean mentored me early in my career. I very much enjoyed my time with her out in several Colorado retreats/conferences and 1 on 1 time.
She encouraged me to pursue my Certified Scrum Trainer certificate and gave me much needed wisdom on how to traverse this unique and variable agile community.
Prayers and best wishes for her family!
I only met Jean a few times, but she impressed me every time. Really sad to be hearing this news, what a loss to the community
I met Jean at RallyOn! 2014 and found her to be brilliant and amazing. The lessons she taught me are still evolving. She will be missed.
Incredibly sad to hear this. One of the hardest things about getting old is hearing that some vibrant, young, amazing person, like our incomparable Jean, has passed on, while I am still here. Everything I have wants to protest this un-justice. The entire community will miss her so much and that includes me.
I’m stunned to hear this news. My thoughts are with the so many people that were close to her. She was a person I had always wanted to get to know better. So many people that I admire spoke so highly of her. I can’t remember seeing her when she wasn’t smiling.
What heartbreaking news!
Jean, I will always love you for what you brought to life and the agile world! Met you first in Copenhagen back in ’98. You brought joy in times of turmoil. You still inspire me. So does your professional work. You taught me to enjoy life as it happens. R.I.P.
It seems like the good ones go before their time. Jean was one of those good ones. Her smile would light up the room. Her “let’s just fix this” personality emitted positive ions like no other. She dedicated the last 10+ years of her life to Agile practices and taught thousands upon thousands of people how work better and have more fun doing it. I’ve worked with Jean for the past 11 years and she has had a major impact on me. The thought of not having her around saddens me deeply. Good bye ole girl and I hope you are at peace.
When I signed up for my Scrum Master Certification class, I had no idea I was being taught by one of Agile’s greats. When I showed up to a conference and saw she was a keynote speaker, I was so proud! She was so down to earth, she never even let on what a big deal she really was. She’s always been a mentor and one of the most influential Agile leaders I’ve had the pleasure of knowing. She also donated to an ALS walk I was hosting and has always made me feel like a friend, even though we didn’t know each other well. I’ve been impressed by her generosity as well as her leadership and presentation skills. She had the ability to capture the attention of anyone with her humor, wit and insightful style. It’s hard to believe someone so vibrant could be gone so suddenly. I feel so privileged to have known her and to have had the opportunity to learn from her.
Jean, how can I adequately thank you, now that you have departed? I can not. You are one of the most beautiful people I have ever known. Thank you for touching me, inspiring me, lighting so many souls with your magical laugh and clever mind. I miss you sorely.
To all who are reading this, let’s find a way in Jean’s honor to perpetuate her work and her unique qualities in communication, connection and inspiration. I am too sad to say more now.
Bye Jean.
Jean was a bright light, a forward thinker, and an inspiration. I am very sad to hear this news. Her book Collaboration Explained had a big influence on me when it first came out, and I will remember her as someone a few steps ahead, helping to guide the way for others.
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The black hole in my heart. I was with Qwest when I met Jean. She was presenting to Denver SQuAD and dropped some items on agile. She and I spoke afterwards about what we were doing with XP at Qwest. She, Michael Spayd and I went to lunch and Qwest quickly learned about Jean, thanks to Michael. Those days were precious, due in large part to personalities like the Kahuna and Jean. I was more than hoping to see her again in Atlanta. I’ve seen fire and I’ve seen rain…