Meadow Hill

In loving memory of Gina

By Louise Haight
Posted 5/15/19

The worst nightmare any parent can suffer is the death of a child. There were so many hopes and dreams that were shattered for their precious Gina Garzon, who was 11 years old, when on May 15, 2018, …

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Meadow Hill

In loving memory of Gina

Posted

The worst nightmare any parent can suffer is the death of a child. There were so many hopes and dreams that were shattered for their precious Gina Garzon, who was 11 years old, when on May 15, 2018, Gina tragically died when a tree hit the car she was in, with her mother.

A quick and brutish thunderstorm that blew through the Highlands that afternoon caused extensive damage and power outages. Gina was helping her mother unload an SUV outside a home on Robinson Avenue at about 4 p.m. when a falling tree crushed the vehicle. Newburgh firefighters extracted Gina, but she was pronounced dead at St. Luke’s Hospital. Gina had just received her First Holy Communion the previous Saturday at St. Patrick’s Church.

When tragedy and death sharply touch a family, it is overwhelming for everyone concerned, and it takes you through some deep, dark valleys, but with God’s love and his amazing grace, there will come again rays of sunshine and hope in our lives. This is so true for Gina, whose Meadow Hill School friends, have written her memory in their loving hearts that are warmed by tender recollections. I
We graciously thank Mr. Nick Angelo, beloved and compassionate teacher at MHS, who was Gina’s teacher last year, and to Ashley Martinez, a 7th grader in Mr. Angelo’s class this year for creating a memorial to remember Gina, as a healing process of joy and hope.

These are the answers to Ashley Martinez’s questions.

What would be one word to describe Gina?
Nicholas, Kind; Anthony, Amazing; Yaretsi, Perfect; Justin, Joyful; Yadira, Bright; Ava, Energetic; Alyssa, Kindhearted; Melissa, Optimistic; Wayanna, Intelligent; Airiana, Happy; Taryn, Extraordinary; Juan, Awesome; Brianna, Friendly; Willard, Caring; Denim, Witty; Carina, Sweet; Julia, Generous; Dev, Pure; Victoria, Elated; Esteban, “You can’t explain her in one word, but that word would be wonderful.” Lisset, “I could describe her in so many words, but she was always so caring about everyone and everything.” Jetzibe , Helpful; Angel, “She would help people that needed help. When I needed help most of the time, she would always help me. I really appreciated the fact that she helped me when I needed help.”

What is your favorite memory of Gina?
Stephen: “Once I remembered at lunch-time we were playing a game, and she won and I saw her so happy.” Joanna: “When she came to my 11th birthday party.” Nia: “Laughing at all of my dumb jokes and comments I would make in 7th period social studies.” Chasserine : “Every moment we were hanging out or laughing and smiling. But, my most favorite one is when we made up two dances on her trampoline and performed it for her dad. And when we planned our future together, to live together, to have dogs, and not stop being best friends.” Alaura: “When she would call me her annoying chicken nugget.” Melissa: “My favorite memory of Gina was her beautiful smile and her love for school.” Victoria: “The day that Gina passed away, she said to me as we were leaving school, ‘We haven’t hugged in a while,’ so we hugged and that was the best goodbye I could have asked for.” Zechariah: “The way she would always stay positive.” Anthony: “She would help other people even when she needed help.” Lisset: “She is my cousin. When we had family parties, we would do each other’s hair and play. We would tell one another how we’ve been and talk and talk and talk. She would help me in math class because with math, she was always the smarter one.”

What did you like most about Gina?
Ka’nayharae: “Her beautiful singing.” Neeloy: “How smart and kind she was to everybody.” Lisset: “How kind and thoughtful she was, her long hair, the way she was, and everything about her.” Bobby: “How she was such a positive person.” Ghaniya: “Her smile.” Thania: “Her kindness.” Kelis: “I liked how positive and happy Gina was.” Anthony: “She was cool.” Joselyn: “Her great personality and her kindness. She was always happy.” Nevaeh: “Her joy.” Rosalinda: “Gina was the smartest girl I knew and if I ever needed help with anything she would be here to help. She was very quiet but she was the nicest person ever like I’m not lying. She would always make you smile and laugh. I really didn’t know Gina for long, but I knew her long enough, to know she was special and we all miss her.” Sumayah: “Her generosity.” David: “Her personality.” Cailin: “The thing I like most about Gina was that it was hard to not see her smiling, I felt like every time I looked at her, she was happy and smiling.” Jose: “She was always just a pure soul.” Edna: “She would always have your back and put others before herself and support you and be there if you needed someone to talk to.” Linsey: “How she was always there for me.” Mariana: “She was herself. Everybody should show who they really are.”

The family of Gina Garzon is asking for prayers. To pray for someone is to stand with that person, Gina, in God’s presence, and is, therefore a powerful way of being with another, even with someone who has passed through death’s door.

The Garzon family wishes to inform you that the Nine Day Rosary Prayer Service will begin on Wednesday, May 15, at 6:30 p.m., at St. Patrick’s Church in the city of Newburgh. On the 23rd of May, the Rosary Prayer will conclude with a Mass. The family is very grateful for the support Meadow Hill School has provided. Please share this information with the current 7th graders and any other student who knew Gina.


Thank you to all the loving and compassionate students and teachers involved with this project: Ashley Martinez, the grade 7 student leader who came up with the heartfelt questions. She was assisted by Mrs. Ragusa, grade 7 teacher; Mr. Blakely, Instructional Facilitator; and Mr. Angelo, grade 7 teacher.

May you always have an angel at your side.