Jessica Maree Cabral's legacy to her family
Jess was born on 11th September, 1990, very much loved & wanted daughter of Yvette
and Gordon Cabral.
Jess delighted all her family with her chubby cheeks, her angelic nature and her
air of assurance, whilst even at a tender age of 5, on her return from her first
day at school she told her mother, "I am going to be a teacher" and she has been
a teacher ever since. Jess taught us how to apply ourselves diligently, to carry
ourselves with dignity, to lend a helping hand and enjoy the simple things in
life -- Jess loved reading, playing the piano, saxophone, dancing, bike riding,
walks, staying up late, sleeping in, tv, more tv, computer and just being Jess!
As she grew into the elegant, brilliant girl we all came to know and love, she
displayed an aura of gentleness, kindness and love; she was never boastful though
she had ample to boast about! In year 9 she achieved the eight Academic Excellence
Awards, which included Italian, her favourite. Jess was chosen to recite an
Italian poem at Melbourne University. The staff and students could not believe
that she was not even part Italian as both her pronunciation and accent were
perfect. She won best speaker at an inter-school debating competition and won over
300 medals in callisthenics, which she loved with a passion.
Jess chose Purple as her favourite colour.
Purple is the colour of "Wisdom", "Truth" and "Divinity".
Jess more than displayed these virtues - she lived by them.
"Wisdom" - Jess was born brilliant and wise beyond her years.
"Truth" - this was evident in her every word and deed.
"Divinity" - Jess displayed this quality by her angelic nature, her kindness to
everyone, her willingness to 'go the extra mile' to help, and the love she gave and
received. Nothing was too hard or was too much trouble for Jess.
At her work experience which was for a week at a primary school, one of the little
pupils could not write the number '2' but by the end of the week with Jess' help
he was able to do so and for Jess - the smile on his face said it all!
Above all this Jess loved her whole family with all her heart and was so proud to
be a part of us.
Jess had a special place in her heart for all her friends as they do for her. Jess
and her friends shared many special memories that will be cherished forever. A real
friend is hard to find, difficult to leave and impossible to forget.
All in all Jess gave and received Love in abundance and her Love leaves a warm glow
in all the hearts she touched.
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Eulogy of Jessica Maree Cabral
11 September 1990 – 2 July 2006
This is Jess' Eulogy which was written & read by her cousin Jason at
her Farewell Service:
This will be the hardest thing many of us will ever have to do, say
farewell to a loved one whom we treasured dearly and who left us all
too soon.
Jessica Maree Cabral was born on the 11th September 1990, & entered
Heaven on 2nd July 2006. Jess is the loving daughter of Yvette and
Gordon & precious sister to Dan Cabral whom he always called Desie.
Jess is a beautiful, intelligent, friendly, helpful person. She is
perfect in so many ways, an angel among us. Her email address is
'purpleangel', purple being her favourite colour and angel describing
her in probably the only word than can. She came down and lived among
us, showing us every minute of every day how to live our lives and how
to treat one another.
Jess is the smartest girl I knew and the smartest in her year level.
She received eight awards last year across nine subjects. She achieved
up to level 5 piano in her AMEB exams. She wanted to be a teacher when
she finished school and only a couple of weeks ago completed her work
experience at St Elizabeth’s Primary school. She had such a fantastic
time teaching children as she had the patience and care to do so, and
everyone there, teachers and children, absolutely adored her.
Jess loved to sleep. She would sleep right past lunch time…She wouldn’t
get out of bed if she didn’t have to. When Yvette or Gordon would try
and wake her up, she’d reply with “just 15 minutes more”. Every minute
was beauty sleep, because when she’d finally get out of bed she was a
little more beautiful than the day before even though that seems impossible.
Jess was always polite and well mannered. She didn’t like it when people
would burp loudly, even though Dan and I would find it quite funny. Always
thanked everyone for every little thing they did. Even when she was sick
she still remembered her manners. Lying in the hospital bed, Jess was
exhausted and half a sleep, the nurse went to wipe her face; Jess opened
her eyes, looked at the nurse, smiled and said “thank you”. Words most of
us use very rarely but she was able to use even if it meant using all of
her strength.
One thing I love about Jess was her ability to make you feel special no
matter what you were feeling inside. As soon as she would see you at a
party, at home or at school she would greet you with her astonishing
smile and a great big hug that just made you feel incredible.
Jess made the most of all of her opportunities in life, something many
of us take for granted. She loved her callisthenics. She won so many
awards and made heaps of wonderful friends. She played basketball for
a team which I coached, and although she never thought that she did much
for the team, she still turned up to games and training and would try her
best to do everything I told her. And even if I would yell out to her whilst
she was on the court that she was doing something wrong, she would still
turn to look at me and smile. Something I thought was just incredible.
It’s hard to think that Jess has moved on. Though it seems as though
she has left us so soon, we need to remember all the wonderful moments
we shared and the unforgettable memories that can never be taken. Jess
is a loving daughter, sister, granddaughter, niece, cousin and friend.
In her short time here with us, she touched the hearts of so many people
with her beautiful laugh and her gorgeous smile.
Jess wherever you are watching and listening from, I want you to know
that you have two parents that always loved and cared for you from even
before you were born and will continue to for a long time to come. You
have a cheeky little brother who loves you dearly, a whole family who
are blessed to have been a part of your life and many friends who will
hold your memory with them forever.
Even though Jess lived for fifteen years, she will continue to live on
through our memories of her. So the next time you or your child says
“Give me five more minutes of sleep”, think of Jess. When you receive
an award saying you’ve done a good job, think of Jess. Someone says
thank you for helping them with something, think of Jess. When you’re
feeling down and someone gives you a hug that just makes everything else
seem so insignificant, think of Jess. When you walk into a room and
someone’s smile catches your eye, think of Jess. By doing all of these
things, Jess will live on inside the hearts of each one of us and her
memory will last forever. That is what Jess would want and it is the least
she deserves.
Love you Jess
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Jess' Legacy By Her Best Friends
Yvonne, Andrea & Jackie
Jessica Maree Cabral. A beautiful girl who left us too soon. She was
the girl that everyone wanted to know, with a smile that is forever
imprinted in our minds. A good hearted person such as Jess is one that
can never be replaced. She is our 'Purple Angel' sent from above, who
inspired all of us to be the best that we could be.
There are so many beautiful things about Jess that the list just goes
on forever. She is the nicest person you ever met with the largest
personality.’ She was sincere, funny, honest, passionate, loyal, lovable
and overall perfect. For all those that knew Jess, she can never be
forgotten.
Jess was and always will be our best friend. She loved, honored and
respected us, so by writing this speech, we hope to do the same for her.
We are very lucky to have met Jess in our lives and she will forever be
apart of us. Even though Jess is among the angels in heaven, part of us
has gone with her, meaning we will always be together.
Friendship is a precious gift that we all treasure deeply. It takes a
long time to find true friendship or even a best friend. But we were all
lucky to have found Jess, and now we have long lasting memories that will
last eternity.
Jess is one of the sweetest girls to ever walk the earth. Every morning
at school, we were definitely greeted by Jess' warm infectious smile.
Memories such as these will always be cherished by us. Memories such as
enjoying a rock concert, going shopping, eating at Pancake Parlor,
watching movies or just simply being in each others company.
Jess is not just a distant memory, but is still truly alive inside our
hearts. Her spirit is forever among us, as well as with her family of whom
she dearly loved and appreciated.
Jessica is the loving daughter, sister, cousin, niece and granddaughter to
her family. She had almost everything that a girl could ever want with a
family that loved and supported her throughout her life, Every time we
entered her house, Jessie's laughter and voice filled the atmosphere with
love, happiness and warmth. She is Gordon & Yvette's bundle of pride and
joy. For Dan and all her cousins she would be described as a person who was
always there for them in happy, sad and funny times. Jessie deeply loved her
family and we know she will cherish all the memories that they made together,
just like we cherish the precious memories we have with her.
We truly believe that Jess is a lovely and cheeky girl, who was friendly to
anyone who passed her through the corridor by unleashing her radiant smile.
She was a super all rounded talented person, who excelled in everything that
she endeavored in. She was academically excellent, socially apt and had a
true passion with her sport, Calisthenics. Along the way, Jessie also met
many wonderful friends through playing basketball.
Jessica Cabral, what else can we say, but that she was one of a kind.
Everyone knew she was one special girl who inspired everyone to be
themselves, to treasure every moment that we have and to not take anything
for granted.
Jessica Maree Cabral will be forever sadly missed but forever loved.
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