Jacier's Memorial Service in Houston

A memorial service for Jacier was held Friday, January 25, 2008 at her place of employment, Harris County Hospital District. Among those from her family were her parents Jose and Luisa, her Aunt Selma, brother Leo, Jaci's beloved fiancee' Edgar (Ale') Cruz, his cousins Luis and Luz and their children and grandchildren, Jaci's cousin Ligh. There were over 60 colleagues from the Hospital district to pay their respects to Jacier and her family.

For those unable to attend, I have been asked to share the the eulogies and comments during the service.

The opening/welcome by Sally Harris: "I would like to welcome all to this gathering. Jacier Prospert, whom we honor today, spent her days transforming lives. She gave hope to the desperate, healing to the sick, friendship to the lonely, understanding to the distracted, and she brought laughter to the overly serious. We are grateful that we can meet this morning so that we can support one another as we remember and pay our tribute to Jacier: daughter...sister...niece...loved one...colleague...and teacher."

There were several eulogies from her friends and coworkers in Houston:

From Paul Guerrero:

"My name is Paul Guerrero, and I am an employee at Ben Taub Mental Health Services.

At this time, all the psych techs would like to pay our respects to the most gracious family of Jacier. We understand they have traveled many miles to be with us today.

The unexpected event of Jacier has affected us all, we feel we were part of her extended family.

Each of us have asked ourselves, “Why? Why did this happen? Why did this beautiful stream of water stop flowing….”

We search for answers. We search for peace.

We turn to our faith and we find comfort, we embrace the serenity of love for Jacier, like an angel embracing his wings over our pain…and we find peace.

Peace over sorrow…

Peace over loss…

And it is through our faith that we find the answers…it is through our faith that we are baptized in water, and to follow the footsteps of the Son of Man. For the path to the Son of Man leads to the Kingdom…And in the Kingdom, the beautiful, wonderful stream of Jacier is flowing again freely.

Flowing in….love.

Flowing in ….peace."


From Sally Harris

"I remember when I heard the news of Jacier’s passing, I simply could not believe it; Jaci was too young and her death was so sudden. It has slowly occurred to me through my own grieving that she indeed lived her life wonderfully and most recently so happily. This brings me comfort. Jacier was well-loved; she was respected professionally by her peers and by her patients. She had done so many things on earth; I’m sure she’ll do much more in Heaven. I will forever be grateful to have known Jaci and be thankful that she was a part of my life.

Those of you who have looked at her memorial on the Internet have seen the pictures of the Christmas tree we put up the weekend after Thanksgiving. Being newly single, I was not at all in the spirit or motivated to trim a tree for Christmas. Jaci knew this but was determined that she was going to spend that Sunday decorating my house. At the time, I agreed, but only because she insisted by saying that I was providing her the opportunity for a holiday ritual she wanted and was missing being away from family. What I realize now is that she was adamant that we do this together not for herself at all. My dear sweet friend was aware that this was beneficial and healing for me. This is but one example of the depth of her kindness, sensitivity, and love.

On that day, we had the front door open to decorate the outside of the house and both our dogs darted out and started running down the street. Jaci marched out to the street, pointed and said, “Mida!” meaning “Look!” Both Eschner and Dizzy froze in their tracks and turned around to race back to Jaci’s feet, sitting obediently. We laughed that my dog would never obey any command I gave him in English, but would readily obey Jaci’s stern command in Spanish.

Jaci had the ability to brighten any room she entered. Every day she came to work, her greeting wasn’t just the ordinary, “Hey” or “Good morning”. She’d greet each of us by name in that beautiful singsong voice, “Sally, Janet, Ricky…” and always accompanied by a warm hug. It set a positive tone for our day.

Jacier is in Heaven now and we are here to remember her. This is the time for us to grieve her death but more importantly it’s our time to celebrate her life. She never wanted to see people cry. She wanted to make everyone happy. Let’s all think back and remember how Jacier touched our lives. Please let’s honor her life by sharing the happy memories with her loved ones who are here, comforted by knowing that each of us carries her in our hearts. And as we give of ourselves to others from our hearts, we are honoring her memory and assuring her presence is forever within us. This is eternal life.

Jacier will be missed, but I believe in the right time, we will all meet her again and she will make us smile and laugh with her radiant light and joy."

Ricardo Leal gave a warm, spontaneous, touching, heartfelt, and often humorous eulogy that opened with, "I know Jacier is with us and laughing right now, because this flower arrangement is taller than I am". Rick's sincerity and emotion could never be captured by me. He has promised to write it down so that I can post and share on this blog.

Jaci and Ale

Jacier showing her ring to her family. Ale said that when he gave her the gift and asked her to marry him, her answer was, "Are you crazy?" Then she laughed and said "YES!!"Jacier and Eschner in front of her apartment in Houston during Ale's visit
The Happy Couple

Christmas Party 2007

Lovely Jacier arrives at the partyAt the White Elephant gift exchange, Jacier selects a Christmas plate Jaci and the host, Rick>
Jaci tries to teach Sally to salsa with little successJacier and AmberJacier and ToryTiffani and Jacier, Top ModelsSavoring a dessert
Jacier's creative contribution to the White Elephant Gift Exchange was an oversized pair of underwear that she had emblazoned with the phrase, "Hug Me" in silver glitter

Tree Decorating

During Christmas 2007, I was not motivated to put up my tree. Jacier insisted that she come over and get me in the mood. She kindly took over the entire process and decorated my tree beautifully
She spent hours getting everything hung exactly the way she wanted it and these were her favorite ornaments.
Eschner(in his fur lined parka) and Dizzy pose in front of the decorated tree

Card Party

A weekend card party and barbecue at Sally's.
Jacier made Venezuelan salad, Sally grilled, Rick brought potato salad, and Tiffani was the Boudin and Mojito Queen.

The Pet Shop Girls

A weekend gathering of the girls and their dogs: Sally & Dizzy, Jacier & Eschner, Tiffani & Creasy

Salsa Night at Scott Gertner's SkyBar

Las Tres Amigas!!
Jacier Lights Up The Houston Skyline
Jaci and Lindsey, Salsa SistersJaci and Tiffani

Texas Medical Center 5 K Run

When I told Sophie Rydin, a professor at TWU, about the passing of Jacier she wrote:
"What a beautiful person and life taken away by a tragic accident. I know she had touched many lives at Ben Taub. I am so sorry for this loss to her family, loved ones, and friends. I will tell my students to dedicate this run for her in class. I have been running this race for many years, but the 1st time taking the students, I will make it a tradition from now on in memory of Jaci."

Then a few days later, I got a follow up email from her:

"I announced it in both MOT II & MOT IV classes today about dedicating this run for Jaci, some MOT IV remembered her from their Psychiatric Fieldwork, they were shocked and were very emotional. Twenty five more students have signed up to run in her memory."

And here is an update from Dear Sophie after the run, including some photos:

Dear Sally:
We met with Jaci's family and took some pictures with them this morning.They expressed very strong interest in returning every Jan to be part of this event for Jaci. We can plan something bigger for this run, I will make it a special event for our students to participate every Jan. Ten students beat me in the race, I promised that I will make $50 donation for every one beat me, I will also match their registration fees, so I will make a total of $2,000 to Ben Taub in memory of Jaci. Take care !! Sophie

Sophie in bright green ready to run with Jacier's parents Sr. Jose and Sra. Luisa. Tia (Aunt) Selma is to the left bundled up in the white hoodie


The TWU runners with Jacier's family and Ale'.








Next year, the OTs from Ben Taub Mental Health Services will "run" (actually we will probably walk) with both Jaci and Ale's family and team TWU.

A Song That Makes Me Think of Jaci

Jacier was loved by so many. This song keeps coming up on my iPod reminding me of her. Dear Jaci, I love you Oh So Well, Sally...



"Oh"

The world is blowing up
The world is caving in
The world has lost her way again
But you are here with me
But you are here with me
Makes it ok

I hear you still talk to me
As if you're sitting in that dusty chair
Makes the hours easier to bear
I know despite the years alone
I'll always listen to you sing your sweet song
And if it's all the same to you

I love you oh so well
Like a kid loves candy and fresh snow
I love you oh so well
Enough to fill up heaven and overflow
Love you oh so well

And it's cold and darkness falls
It's as if you're in the next room so alive
I could swear I hear you singing to me

I love you oh so well
Like a kid loves candy and fresh snow
I love you oh so well
Enough to fill up heaven and overflow

The world is blowing up
The world is caving in
The world has lost her way again
But you are here with me
But you are here with me
Makes it ok

Oh girl you're singing to me still
I love you oh so well
Like a kid loves candy and fresh snow
I love you oh so well
Enough to fill up heaven and overflow
Love you oh so well