Wednesday, August 13, 2008

A place in honor of our beloved friend Jessica Hawk who was murdered at her house in New Orleans. With this place we want to remember her so she can rest in peace knowing that many people loved her.

For Jessica's family all our love and support, we will do all we can so her life will not be forgotten and her death will not go unpunished.

Please if you have any information concerning Jessica's murder please call 5046585308 or 504 6585300. If you saw something or heard something Please do not hesitate to contact with us at these numbers.

19 comments:

Jessie's Aunt and Uncle said...

Jessie is our niece. We want to thank you so much for this beautiful memorial to her and her life. When I saw the pictures of Jessie you posted we were touched more than we can say. We are all still in shock over this and probably will be for a very long time. She meant so much to so many. Please keep the family in your prayers especially her Mom, Dad, Brother and Grandmother. Their suffering is beyond words.
Again...thank you and God Bless..
Ron and Patti Hawk

BillT said...

Let me, too, thank you for putting together this site. I met Jessie in Cincinnati, as she was seeing my best friend in an on-again/off-again relationship. I shared so many good times with her. She had a wonderful sense of humor and an infectuous laugh. What I remember the most, though, was a tendency she had. Like a lot of people when I've been drinking, I'll sometimes zone out, daydreaming about something or another. Whenever Jess would catch me doing that, she would say, "Where are you, right now?" And she really wanted to know, I think. She found it amusing but also a way to know more about a person. I guess I didn't mind sharing then and later, even after she'd broken up with my friend for good. When we heard of this tragedy, we put a picture up on our refrigerator of her from several years ago when she was doing face-painting with my daughter. It so showed her spirit--her silliness, her willingness to play, the type of freedom she exuded. I just wish I had kept in better touch with her these past few years. My wife and I will not forget her. Thank you again for this site. To Jessie's family, I am so, so sorry for your loss. She was a special woman.
Bill Thelin

Ivonne Garzon said...

You are more than welcome, I will do all I can to find out who did this to Jessica and to keep Jessica's legacy in people's mind. I am out of the country and can't say how powerless and responsable I feel. If I had been there when she needed me..maybe I could have done something...I am deeply sorry for her family, to her mom and brother all my love and support, I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

Jodi said...

Jessica was my dearest friend. I can not begin to explain all the things she has been to me in our life time and I have no idea how it will be to live without her. I wanted to share with everyone her favorite poem below. Jess embraced his thoughts and would want us to all do the same.
I love you Jess!
jodi
Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.


Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.


Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.


Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.


You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.


Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.


With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.


Max Ehrmann, Desiderata, Copyright 1952.

Jessie's Aunt and Uncle said...

Thank you for the picture of Jessie's home. It looks so pretty. If you have more pictures of Jessie please post them. All of her family will cherish each one. Who are the people in the pictures? We are all so glad that Jessie had such dear friends. Friends are precious, and she was blessed it seems to have had many friends.
Ron and Patti Hawk

Ohiotears said...

What is the email address I can send pictures to. Brandon, is my Brother in law. (Jessie's Brother)and I'd like to post some pictures of her family in Ohio. Thanks

Ivonne Garzon said...

Sure, this is it ivonne.garzon@gmail.com

Lora Barnes said...

My heart is so broken. I have not seen Jess in a long time. She and I worked together at Miami University in Ohio. She filled my boring days with humor and thought provoking conversation. I will never forget the day she tried to convince me to grow out my armpit hair in a "protest against our masochistic society." She lost that argument but won many others.

Her love for plants was evident. The first time I stepped into her apartment, I thought I had entered a greenhouse. She offered me some as I left and I wish I had taken more. If anyone has starts of what Jess has given, I would love one in honor of her.

She was peaceful and enjoyed the simple things and I had always hoped we would cross paths again. It hurts me to think she would be so brutally attacked this way. As a parent it grieves my heart that she is someone's child, as a friend I will be forever changed in the way I live my life. No one has a promise of tomorrow.

I love you Jess. I'm so sorry.

Anonymous said...

I worked with Jessica at Audubon and was horrified when I heard what happened. She had many friends at the Insectarium. Thank you so much for posting these pictures - it reminds me of the last time I saw her when she came in to turn in her badge. She was bright and happy ... I will always remember her as that person.

Your pictures reminded me of her two cats. Does anyone know what happened to them? She and I talked back when she first hired on about how much we loved our pets and I even promised to watch out for hers if she was out of town and a hurricane came (which is what happened during Katrina) ... so there is part of me that feels somewhat responsible to make sure they have been taken care of.

brandon hawk said...

Hello everyone, I'm Brandon Jessie's lil brother. I just wanted to say that I am very impressed with Jessie's friends and all the fine things that you guys and gals are saying. All this stuff makes dealing with her death a little bit easier. I would have never thought that some one could do a thing like this to my sis. She loved N.O. and all she has to offer. We got to see how she fell in love with the place after my 2 vacations down there with my wife and 2 babies. All the people that Jessie introduced me to were all super people. Jessie and I were not that close growing up. But these past 4-5 years we grew super close. Talking in one form or another once, twice, or how ever many times it took to get what we need to know about each others crazy days. Few things I knew about Jess are, her favoirite smell was the smell of a skunk, she loved good quality shoes (something that we both share), she loved to drink good wine and chocholate martinis, she loved to hike and travel, she loved her family, she wasn't good with kids but she loved my daughter and son, she would send us all these boxes for our birthdays and special occasions. They were full of mardi gras beads, feathers, magazines, fishing lures, the kids espically loved their boxes with weird candy like suckers with bugs, alligator egg bubble gum and chocolate flavored straws. She loved shopping for antiques, just recently she took her rent money and spent it on a book that she wanted. She loved everyone and didnt judge anyone. She was a free spirited person. She helped me with all my hurtles in life so far. It was great to just sit with her and talk about all of our memories which were endless. One of my recent memories of her is when we came down in September of 07 she took me and my family on a croc/swamp tour. We had a great time seeing the swamp life and the boat captian even put on some bayou music that we all danced to. Jess wasn't just my sister she was my best friend. Someone that I could to when I needed some senior advice:) This is killing me! Luckliy I have one of the best familys that a man could want or need. To all of Jessie's friends out there, STAY STRONG Jess would have wanted you to.
Love U Marmaduke
Your brother Bran

JDG said...

I went to high school with Jessie and was deeply saddened to hear of her death. I have many fond memories of a vibrant young woman... what a tragedy.
Anyway, just wanted to extend condolences to family and friends. You are in my prayers.

Anonymous said...

I just found out about Jess today.

Jess and I were fellow Botany students at Miami University. We became really close, she was even the maid of honor in my wedding. She was such a wonderful free spirit and feel blessed to have known her. I am so upset to hear this. My condolences to her family and friends. She will be missed dearly.

Anonymous said...

I knew Jess a few years ago when she was a student at Miami University in Ohio. There were more than one occasion when we would be hanging out with other friends together and I always loved when Jess was around. She had a great sense of humor and she knew how to use it. I just found out about the news of her death today and my heart is broken. She will be missed.

Darrell R.

Unknown said...

For those that can attend, Jess's Memorial service will be Sat.23 at 400 williams st. mason. oh starting at 5, and also if anyone knows anything about the placement of her cats please let me know. I know this would be her biggest concern. my e-mail is levi45068@yahoo.com thanx heather

Cassie said...

Thank you so much Ivonne for creating this. You have helped me and so many others more than you know.

I had the fortunate opportunity of working with Jessica at Harolds and having her as a friend. She was an amazingly intelligent, vibrant, wise, funny and all around beautiful person. She believed in and loved nature. I feel blessed to have shared a garden with her. She taught me so much.

We are in the process of planning a second line and wake/memorial event here in NO. I could use any info. y'all have on putting a second line together...permit, cost, who to contact, etc...

Also I am trying to get some sort of poster put together with Jessica's picture, the few details of her murder and encouraging anyone with information to call detectives. I am most frustrated by the lack of press this has gotten. We need to get her face out there to better our chances of catching the evil monster. I've contacted crime stoppers to see if they would do one but have not heard back yet. I am open to anyone with the ability to put one together. I will gladly get them printed up and distribute them all over the city.

My heart goes out to her family. We are still accepting donations for them at Harolds.

Thank you again!

brandon hawk said...

For all that dont know jess's cats are being taken care of by lee. both these cats lenord and ludwig were both there cats when they lived together. after the murder they found ludwig but lenord was no where around. 3 days later there was a nice couple that came around when my family and i were in NO at jessie's. they were carrying a pet taxi and wondered if they could help to find the lost cat. we said yes, not thinking that they would have any luck because there were people that all ready had been looking for him this whole time. is was about 30 mintues later that that couple came around with the fine feline. they said that they found him at abandoned house under the porch. the cat was preaty shook up and lee took him right home to see his brother.

rmeinking said...

Jess Hawk and I shared the same best friend, Tasha. Our friend Tasha passed away this past April. I was the one that called to let Jess know the news. That was the most diffcult thing, as you all can relate. I remember her screaming at me telling me this was a terrible joke. Why would our friend do this to herself? She knew how much everyone loved her and so on. From April on we stayed in contact at least once-twice a month, playing phone tag a lot. However she always called to check on me. Asking about our friends son. How things were going and if I ever needed to talk to call her. And now I need to talk but I cannot call her. I know two best friends are now together forever. It really sickens me that someone could do this to such a beautiful spirit and caring person. We played on Miami Middletown's tennis team together. Jess was such a great tennis player, always giving me pointers and advice. We drank many bottles of wine together. I enjoyed being around her. She made everyone feel welcomed. I really miss my friend Tasha and I know Jess did too. Now I really miss both of them but I know they are together, talking about plants, bugs, drinking great wine and watching over the rest of us. Rest in peace Jess Hawk. You will be forever missed.

Jessie's Aunt and Uncle said...

Since Jessie's death I know alot of people have been trying to understand why this had to happen to her like it did. I have no answer and pray someday I will, but until we do know we have to do the best we can to go day by day and love our families and friends while they are still with us, because if nothing else, we found out how fast one of our loved ones can be snatched away from us. I have received this poem more than once but until recently I had not thought much about it. Please read it...
Love to all, Patti and Ron Hawk..Jessie's Aunt and Uncle
IF I KNEW

If I knew it would be the last time
That I'd see you fall asleep,
I would tuck you in more tightly
and pray the Lord, your soul to keep.

If I knew it would be the last time
that I see you walk out the door,
I would give you a hug and kiss
and call you back for one more

If I knew it would be the last time
I'd hear your voice lifted up in praise,
I would video tape each action and word,
so I could play them back day after day.

If I knew it would be the last time,!
I could spare an extra minute
to stop and say "I love you,"
instead of assuming you would KNOW I do.

If I knew it would be the last time
I would be there to share your day,
Well I'm sure you'll have so many more,
so I can let just this one slip away.

For surely there's always tomorrow
to make up for an oversight,
and we always get a second chance
to make everything just right.

There will l always be another day
to say "I love you,"
And certainly there's another chance
to say our "Anything I can do?"

But just in case I might be wrong,
and today is all I get,
I'd like to say how much I love you
and I hope we never forget.

Tomorrow is not promised to anyone,
young or old alike,
And today may be the last chance
you get to hold your loved one tight.

So if you're waiting for tomorrow,
why not do it today?
For if tomorrow never comes,
you'll surely regret the day,

That you didn! 't take that extra time
for a smile, a hug, or a kiss
and you were too busy to grant someone,
what turned out to be their one last wish.

So hold your loved ones close today,
and whisper in their ear,
Tell them how much you love them
and that you'll always hold them dear

Take time to say "I'm sorry,"
"Please forgive me," "Thank you," or "It's okay."
And if tomorrow never comes,
you'll have no regrets about today.

Jessie's Aunt and Uncle said...

We just talked to Jessie's grandmother and she mentioned that a memorial service is scheduled, she thought for Oct. 5. She didn't remember the name of the church tho. I hope that if there is a memorial service that it is covered by the media in NO. Please have someone call the media and tell them about this and maybe get the fire lit under someone again to find Jessie's murderer.
God Bless all of You,
Patti and Ron