Jessica was a young, vibrant woman that enjoyed simple things: a good talk with a friend, a nice afternoon at the quarter, a beautiful garden, and a good meal. As a friend Jessica never asked me for anything, on the contrary she always wanted to do whatever I wanted to do, she was always looking to please me. During a couple of weeks that I had a strong craving for Indian food, she would tell me to stop by her house after school, she would prepare a whole Indian meal for me. She was my source of beautiful plants, never asking for anything in return.
Jessica had a degree in Botany from the University of Florida, and was going to come back to school to finish her Master at UNO. She was going to be one of our future experts in Pollination, subject in which she had published most of her scientific papers in. She loved bees and plants, and was an eager reader. Virginia Wolff was her favorite writer; her books were a treasure for her, before I left NOLA to come to Colombia for the summer I gave her back some of her books I had…. now I wish I had kept them.
Some weekends we would spend long nights dancing at her house her favorites: Bob Dylan, Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, or would head to the quarter for salsa dancing. I loved to see her happy, laughing to tears.
I will miss my friend everyday of my life, her emails, her jokes, I will miss her saying “ohhh my God, Ivonne stop!!!” while I shared with her all my drama.
The only thing Jessica asked us was to love her, the only thing she needed to live. We loved her and will love her forever. Whoever did this to my friend has to be sure we will not forget Jessica and he/she will not run away with this murder.
3 comments:
Ivonne -- You're doing a great job with this blog of pictures. I didn't know Jessica as well as I wanted to, but you didn't need to know her well to appreciate her light. She was and is one of the most caring souls I've ever known.
To whoever killed our friend -- Words can never express the anger I have for you. My only comfort at this moment is that the Universe will give back to you three times what you have given us.
yes thank you Ivonne, Jess's funeral for anyone who would need this information is on saturday Aug 23 at first church of God in Mason, Ohio starting at 5pm. I loved her with all my heart. Forever and always Jess.
Heather
In 2006 Jessica marched with the Krewe du Vieux, the first parade of the first Carnival Season after Katrina. Although the KdV is known for being silly and ribald, the parade that year was an act of defiance to a world that was still debating whether New Orleans should or could rebuild. Jessica definitely shared the vision that New Orleans mattered. She is remembered by her fellow krewe members for pitching in to help at a time when many of our members were still scattered and evacuated. To loose her in this manner is a tragedy beyond measure. On behalf of all 900 members of the Krewe du Vieux, please accept our deepest sympathy.
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