Vanessa overcame many hardships in her lifetime, such as anorexia and manic depression. On June 12th, 2004 I lost a very good friend of mine because she took her own life. I miss her so much. I want everyone to remember her life and to learn from how it was ended. When I went to her funeral, so many people had attended that there was hardly a seat left.  So many people loved her, I don't think she ever realized how many people cared.  Remember that even if you think that nobody cares, to someone you mean the world.  Never try to count how many people care because you'll always forget someone. Don't let us forget Vanessa's life. 

(Here is a poem that was read at Vanessa's funeral).

May you always walk in the sunshine

And may God's love around you flow

For the happiness you gave me,

No one will ever know

It broke my heart to lose you, 

But you did not go alone 

A part of me went with you, 

The day God called you home

A million times I've needed you,

A million times I've cried

If only love could have saved you

You never would have died.



(Here is another poem that was in the cards handed out at her funeral).

Don't think of her as gone away

Her journey's just begun,

Life holds so many facets

The earth is only one.

Just think of her as resting

From the sorrows and the tears

In a place of warmth and comfort

Where there are no days and years.

Think of how she must be wishing

That we could know today,

How nothing but our sadness

Can really pass away.

And think of her as living

In the hearts of those she touched

For nothing loved is ever lost

And she was loved so much.



Vanessa will forever go on in the hearts of those who loved her.  She is greatly missed.