September 9, 2004 – December 5, 2019.
It is with immense sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Jessica Emily Black, 15, of Burnaby, BC at BC Children’s Hospital on December 5, 2019.
Jessica is predeceased by her grandfather Jean-Paul Gendron of Quebec. Jessica is survived by her mom and dad, Sonia and Jason, her brother Ethan, her grand maman Gemma Tremblay, grandparents Glen and Elizabeth Black, as well as Aunts and Uncles Sylvie Gendron, Richard
Gendron, François Gendron & Chantal Tellier, Nathalie Gendron & Olivier Michaud, Jean-Paul Jr. Gendron & Sonia Boucher, Bernard Gendron & Lynne Gosselin, Patrick Gendron & Karine Boisvert, John & Cherie Black, Michael Black, cousins Joel & Kevin Gendron, Kristinn & Ryan Black.
Jessica was a Grade 10 student at Burnaby Mountain Secondary School, and had attended Ecole
Seaforth Elementary for her K-7 years. She was a multi-talented artist – she loved to sing, draw, and
express herself through dance. She was a dancer for many years with Dance Collective, starting at two
and half years old. Jessica was also a model and did amazing makeup on herself, her mom and her
friends.
Jess loved animals, especially her beloved dog Bubbles, a toy Australian Shepherd who was with her at the hospital, and her cats Salt and Pepper. She loved to shop, and could quite often be found on the
search for brand name items at the VV Boutique. Jess was a world traveler, having visited multiple
countries including Thailand, China, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Cuba and various states in the US and different provinces across Canada, especially Quebec where her mom’s family resides. She loved to explore and try new things, immersing herself in the cultures she travelled to.
Everyone always said Jess had a twinkle in her eye and a magical smile. When she walked into a room
she brought a special light with her.
Jessica Black is a beloved daughter, granddaughter, niece, cousin, and friend. She will forever be loved and missed by those around her.
The family would like to thank the staff at BC Children’s Hospital, especially the social worker, therapists, nurses and doctors, and the staff of the BC Transplant Society for their compassion during the donation process. Jessica lives on through her donation to 5 others.
A Celebration of Life will be held for Jessica on Saturday December 21 at 1 pm at the Canadian Memorial United Church (Corner of Burrard and West 15 th Ave, Vancouver), with a small reception to follow at the Centre for Peace (1825 W 16th – across from the church).
0 Comments
Jennifer monteith
Jessica was so special to us. she was so beautiful, smart and talented. I would always hear her chatting on the phone with Sonia, just like she was chatting with a girlfriend. I would say, are you on the phone with your mom again! She loved her family. Her family would welcome us into their home on holidays which meant a lot to us and Hailey. I am so sorry you all have to go through this. xoxo
Caitlyn Finley
I was introduced to Jessica from my friend who I had known from living in Burnaby. Meeting Jessica was like I was meeting a friend I had known my whole life. She was so lively and had such a beautiful smile and personality. Just talking to her made things so much better. She was adventurous, smart, beautiful, strong and the amazing qualities keep going on and on. She was the kind of person you could lose contact with for a bit and just continue on talking like you guys never stopped. She genuinely did leave such an impact on my life. We were so close last summer and we lost contact for a bit throughout the following school year but I saw her this summer and it was like things had never changed. I love Jessica and so many people did. So many people cherished her as a person and were so distraught to find out she was gone. Jessica is somebody i will never forget. My prayers go out to her family and closest friends. I love you Jessica and I really do hope you are in a safe place right now.
Alex
She was always polite even when talking to ppl she hadnt met before or didnt know prior. She was ever so kind and will be dearly missed
Darcy Davis
I have no words that will help your family navigate this tragedy. I hope you can find some peace knowing that, although too short, Jess enjoyed and experienced a full life.
Maryam
Sonia, I am deeply sorry for your loss , there is no pain deeper than losing a child. My heart and prayers go out to you and your family at this most difficult time.🖤🖤🖤
Maria Suzin
Jessica brought so much joy to people’s lives without even realizing it. I know she brought joy to mine. She was truly beautiful inside and out. Sending my condolences to the family and friends ❤️
Elizaberh M. Simpson
I am so sorry Sonia and family, a true tragedy. I very much admire your strength in deciding on organ donation, that was a wonderful thing to do. I hope that strength will carry you through this very difficult time.
Sincerely,
Beth
Nancy Lim
Dear Sonia & Jason,
I wish i had words to lighten your agony but sometimes words are not enough. Please accept my deepest condolences on your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Rachel
I hadn’t known Jessica very long but I did know she was a courageous girl filled with talent and love. Rest In Peace 🙏💛
eva kehler
i’m so sorry for your loss. jessica and i were not very close but i did know her, she had the most contagious smile that lit up every room. she could always make the people around her laugh. she was precious, and i feel lucky to have known her. she will be missed so much.
Elise Wust
Jessica was an amazing young lady, I remember meeting her at my first ever photoshoot and couldn’t take my eyes off her because of the positive energy and beauty she had. Jess will always be in our hearts no matter what!
Jennie Boulanger
Thinking of Jessica’s exuberance and positive energy in my classroom and beyond at Seaforth School. Very sorry and sad for your loss.
– Jennie Boulanger
Skylar
Jess was one of my closest friends for 3 years. Every time I was sad, she could make me smile. We sang together, and had dance parties when we were sad. I will forever miss her and I send prayers to her family and other friends.
Alessandra Olynyk
I am so sorry for your loss. Me and Jess spent 8 years together at daycare and she was a really great friend to all. Though we lost contact with each other after elementary school I never forgot her fun bubbly personality and her great companionship. I hope she is at peace now and I know that her kindness to me will never be forgotten ❤️
Katie Macdonald
I was only in the hospital for 5 days with Jess but, I felt like she was my soul sister. She helped me when I was going through some tough times and was always a good friend. She was an amazing human being and although I met her last April, I had a connection with her and I will miss her every minute of every hour. I will think of Jess when I’m dealing with hard times and I will think about her every second of my day, I will never forget this beautiful, amazing awesome girl that helped me through so much.
😭🥀 rest easy angel❤️
Brenley
Dear Jason and Sonja, I am so sorry to hear about your dear Jessica😥 Please know we love you all and you are in our thoughts and prayers. Jessica is a beautiful girl and you can see that her lovely smile lit up the room. ❤❤❤❤
Betnard
Our deep condolences for an unbelievable tragedy. Our thoughts are with you and your family. We wish you lots of strength to survive the next long while.
Teresa Bisceglia
My deepest sympathy and heartfelt condolences to the Black family at this difficult time. I had the privilege of teaching Jessica in grade 6 at Seaforth Elementary. She will be fondly remembered for her bubbly personality, positivity, and passion for the fine arts. A truly creative, talented, and beautiful person gone much too soon.
TRACY sullivan
I had the pleasure of teaching a Jessica last year. I send I deepest condolences at this impossible time.
Deanna Worobets
I have such fond memories of Jessica as a student in my dance 8 and 9 classes at Burnaby Mountain. Her smile truly lit up the room every time she entered it, and I know she touched the lives of so many of her friends. My thoughts are with her family and friends during this devastating time, and I pray she is in a better place– free, and full of light.
Taryn
My deepest condolences to the whole family for the loss of a beautiful young woman inside and out. We felt so privileged to have met her and been a small part of her journey through this world. She will forever be remembered for her wonderful soul and fantastic personality. Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone dealing with this tragic loss.
Jessica Chen
I truly thought this day would never come. The girl that I bribed with chocolate to be my friend was now no longer with us. She was here one moment and gone the next. She was an enigma of sorts. Always there, impossible to forget. She was a light that people were drawn into, for better or for worse. She was the embodiment of a star. I remember back in grade school, with a group of friends, we had planned to go on a trip to Paris once we were 18 years old. There were so many things to have been done of this Earth, so many more memories to be made, but the world decided to cut her life short. Everything feels emptier now. The plans to reconcile are friendship are no more, the regrets I’ve had and the things I’ve always wanted to share with her can’t be done, and I am unable to believe the Jessica Black is dead. The world is a cruel place and a person, once so full of life, has gone to the other-side. Sonia and Jason, I am so sorry. Jessica Black was, and still is, one of the greatest people I’ll ever have the pleasure of befriending.
Anna Lainer
Dear Sonia Jason and Ethan.
My deepest condolence to you All.
I wish I could help you carry your pain! Words cannot express how sad I am to learn you are going through this tragedy of loosing your daughter and sister. I have not met Jess in person but I remember how Sonia always talked about her passion for dance and her outgoing personality. She left this world way toooo early. Rest In Peace beautiful young Woman!🌹🌈🌹
Lisa McHale
No words can express how heartbroken I am to know that a girl as sweet as Jessica has gone to heaven. I will always cherish the memories I have of her from Daycare days. Her sweet smile, her giggle and the spark in her eyes when she got excited about something….that is how I will remember her. My love and prayers go out to the family and hope that Jessica is finally at peace. ❤❤❤❤
Tyler Faulds
I didn’t know Jessica at all, but through her uncle I heard stories about what a fun, funny, strong young woman she was. I know that the hole left with her passing will never be filled, but for 15 years she was loved, and cherished, and held. My condolences and my sincerest wishing of peace and calm for the family.
A burnaby mountain student
i never got to kno jessica personally but what i can say is that she’s a beautiful soul who had so much talent and love for her family,friends and teachers. she will be missed dearly, rest in peace we will forever love and miss you.
Kennedy
I only meet Jessica in person once but I will never forget her amazing hugs, beauty, kindness, and everything else about her. She is so perfect and she deserved to be treated a lot better. Jess, I miss u and you will forever be missed and will always be in my heart ❤️🥺😭 I will never forget you. Rest easy baby girl
Cam Dickson
I used to talk to Jessica a good amount and can say that she was a very nice, supportive and pretty girl who was always there for me to talk too. Although I never met Jessica because I am from London Ontario, we became pretty close at one point over text messages and calls and we would have conversations about everything from how our day was to why life wasn’t treating either of us well on certain days. Jessica will never be forgotten and will always be missed and prayers go out to her family from one side of the country to the other. Forever in our hearts, fly high❤️