The Erving community is mourning the loss of Jenna Catherine Putala, a beloved daughter, sister, granddaughter, coach and friend who died peacefully at home on Sunday, August 9, 2026, surrounded by the warmth and love of her family. She was 28.
Jenna’s death followed a courageous and hard-fought battle with PEComa, an extremely rare form of sarcoma. Her passing has left family members, friends, former teammates and the many young athletes she coached grieving the loss of a woman remembered for her kindness, determination and ability to bring out the best in others.
Born May 10, 1998, in Greenfield, Massachusetts, Jenna grew up in Erving and attended Erving Elementary School before graduating from Turners Falls High School in 2016.
A talented student-athlete, Jenna excelled both academically and on the athletic fields. She played softball, basketball and soccer, developing the competitive spirit and determination that would remain important throughout her life.
Softball, however, became more than a sport for Jenna. It became a lifelong passion and ultimately a way for her to mentor and encourage younger athletes.
Jenna continued her education at Wesleyan University in Connecticut, where she earned her bachelor’s degree while playing softball for the university. After college, she spent two years at Nichols College as a graduate assistant in the Athletic Communications Department. During that time, she earned her master’s degree and volunteered with the school’s softball program.
Her career eventually brought her to Babson College, where she served as an assistant softball coach. It was a role she cherished, particularly because it gave her an opportunity to help young athletes develop not only their skills but also their confidence.
With the support of Brian McGann, founder of the Western Mass Warriors and one of Jenna’s former coaches, she helped restart the Warriors program and built an 18U team. Jenna served as both president and coach, pouring her energy and heart into the organization and the athletes who looked to her for guidance.
Those who knew Jenna remembered that her influence extended well beyond the softball field. She was described as kind, caring and supportive, with a gift for making people around her feel encouraged and valued.
For many young athletes, Jenna was not simply a coach. She was someone who believed in them and wanted to see them grow, gain confidence and succeed.
Away from softball, Jenna enjoyed the quieter moments of life with family and friends. She loved trips to Treasure Island and getaways to Newport and Maine. She was an avid reader and devoted Red Sox fan, and she had a particular appreciation for good food and delicious baked treats.
She also enjoyed watching college softball, as well as spending time with favorite television programs including Law & Order and HGTV.
Those simple pleasures reflected the warmth and personality that family and friends say made Jenna so special. Her life was characterized by love, joy and a genuine desire to make a positive difference in the lives of others.
Jenna is survived by her beloved parents, John and Jill Putala of Erving; her brother, Jack Putala, and his wife, Mackenzie, of Conway; and her grandparents, John and Marie Putala of Turners Falls, David and Christine Ewell of Wendell, and Barbara Thayer of Erving.
Her death leaves behind a family and community carrying both profound grief and countless memories of a young woman whose life touched people far beyond her hometown.
For the athletes she coached, the teammates who knew her, the friends who shared her adventures and the family who stood beside her throughout her illness, Jenna Putala will be remembered for her determination, compassion and unwavering love for the people and game she cared about most.
At only 28, her life ended far too soon, but the lessons she gave her players and the kindness she showed to others will remain part of the legacy she leaves behind.
