There are no words to describe the emotion inside the Church of St. Gregory the Great at the funeral mass for Isabelle Tezsla on Friday afternoon. Amidst the hugs and tears, there was an overwhelming presence of strength and love that was felt by everyone in attendance. The whole community leaned upon one another for support to get through the heart-wrenching service. Many of the attendees, mostly Isabelle’s friends and classmates, dyed a lock of their hair green for the ceremony. It was explained during the service that green was Isabelle’s favorite color. When it was time to go back to school each Fall, Isabelle’s mother would ask her if she wanted to get her hair dyed back to its normal color of white blond because her hair would take on a green hue from swimming in the pool so much during the Summer. Isabelle always refused. She was that self-confident.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Isabelle. They are with her sisters, Sophie and Natalie. They are with her parents, Anthony and Susan. May God bless all of the Tezsla family and their friends during this trying time.
Stay GREEN, Izzy. We love you.
Do not stand by my grave and weep.
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on the snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you wake in the morning hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
of quiet bird encircled flight.
I am the soft star that shines at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there. I did not die!
Poem by Mary Elizabeth Frye