Jessica grew up in the small northern Michigan town of Kaleva.  A town where everyone knew everyone... Her graduation class from high school consisted of only 47 students.  Now this is what is considered a 'small' town.

   Jessica had the privilege of growing up with another brother and two sisters. Her older sister Marty, a younger sister Roxanne, and her brother Michael.  She was also blessed with a step-father, Dennis Hill, who not only raised her, but also loved her so very much.  Her mother Fran was blessed as a mother could only be by the joys and grief's that a child can bring as she grew from a newborn into her early adulthood.
   It was only four months before her death that she met another sister, Shawn, who lived in Florida with her husband and two sons.  Shawn never knew of Jessie's existence until the time when Jessie reached out to biological father's family . The young women were blessed to be able to meet each other and then to discover just how much they had in common.  It was for these two women a love that became very deep in the short time they had together.
   As Jessie grew up she showed a musical talent that she developed by learning to play the clarinet she was active in her high school band  and then again used her musical talents to learn the use of the bells.  She played in the Bell Choir at her church.  Her music was a delight that she always found great joy in. Jessie also was active in other school activities.  She participated as the Basketball manager and in Future Homemaker's of America.

  Jessie also was a woman of great faith.  Her love of God and her love of her church were central in her short life.  She grew in her faith with the guidance of her parents and the friendship of her pastor and his wife and the others in her church family.

   Our Jessica relied on her deep and unending faith to see her through the many difficulties that she faced.  Not only as a rebellious teenager trying to find her own place in life, but also learning to live with the disease of Epilepsy that was a constant that was always with her.  Through all of this her family stood by her, helping her to to become the woman she was destined to become.  As with all of us as we come into our adulthood, the transition was filled with great accomplishment and great turmoil.
  As Jessica struck out on her own, away from her parent's home she had a number of different jobs to support herself.  In her final position, just before her death, she found a special place where she worked with older adults in a Nursing Home in Traverse City Michigan.  Jessie loved working with the elderly and those with special needs.

  None of us know the day or the hour that Our Lord will call us home to Him.  Jessica was just coming into the knowledge that her life was on the right track when she was called home.  It is with joy and sorrow that she was taken home on December 24, 1998.  Her life here on this earth was to short for all of us that loved her.  But it was the gift of life and the joy of her homecoming that will see all of us through our grief at her loss to us.  One of the many things that will see us through our grief is the knowledge that she will forever be seizure free.

   On December 24, 1998 as she prepared to go out to breakfast with her sister Marty, Jessie had a seizure that ended her earthly life and brought her home to Our Lord.  Though she was alone at the time of her death she was not alone as Our Lord had already prepared a place for her and held her hand into the kingdom of His love.

   We will forever miss her smiles and soft spoken voice.  Her letters of encouragement and willingness to give of herself.

  

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