A Tribute for Gianna Lynn Duenas Mesa

Thank you for being there for our family during this difficult time. I wanted to share the eulogy for those who were not present at the funeral. We miss our sweet girl so much.

We gather here today to celebrate the life of our beautiful Gianna Lynn Duenas Mesa and it is an honor to be here in front of you to tell you all about my Nana girl, but where do I even start, and do I really have to finish? We weren’t quite ready to say goodbye.

Gianna was truly a remarkable soul. How can I take a lifetime of memories and tell you about such an incredible person in just a few minutes?

There are no words that can truly capture her essence, nor are there words that can fill the void left by her absence.

From the moment she entered this world, she captured our hearts. She had the most enchanting smile, the cutest dimples, and a laughter like no other. I remember watching over her and her brother Georgie with such awe. They had such a unique bond. As they got older, they remained so close. They took care of each other. Georgie always looked out for his baby sister no matter what, and she looked up to him. Right now, G., she and your dad are watching over you so proudly. You were her rock; unbendable and unbreakable. She knew she could always turn to you and you never let her down, and Alen you were the best mom! She always told me just how lucky she was to have you…she’d want you both to know that.

Growing up, Gianna was quite the mischievous one. There are so many memories I have of her and all my little cousins, Kay, Christopher, Kan, , Jadine… all of them. Gianna of course, would always be the one rounding everyone up. She was such a great leader.

Whenever they’d get into any trouble, most of the kids cried in fear as they anxiously awaited their turn for punishment, but not Gianna; she would just giggle the whole time. As long as they had a good time, that was all that ever really mattered to her. She always saw the silver lining.

She was good-natured, had such a huge heart, and an undeniable capacity for forgiveness. Very much like her mom, she only saw the good in others despite what others showed her. She was so very kind and affectionate. When she was little, she used to hate it when anyone killed bugs. She’d even cry sometimes so that we wouldn’t. To Gianna, everyone and everything had a purpose and meaning, and her immeasurable compassion for all living things was evident in the way she treated others.

There was no stranger to Gianna. She was very much like her dad, Uncle George, and brother Georgie. She welcomed everyone with her genuine smile and warm embrace. She was always able to strike up a conversation with just about anyone, and after just one chat, you’d walk away with this happy feeling like you’ve known her your entire life.

Gianna was such an extraordinary person. The toughest shorty I’ve ever known….she had incredible strength and a unique personality. There was never a dull moment with her; flamboyant, but in the best way, funny, and exciting! She will always be remembered as the life of the party sharing good vibes where ever she went; always positive. She could be sad, and you’d never know it because she didn’t want you to feel her sadness. She wanted the world to be a happy place, and she painted it that way for as long as she could. So when you think of her, remember those good times.

Despite the many challenges that life threw her way, Gianna never gave up. It was in her moments of vulnerability that her spirit shone most brightly. She refused to be defined by adversity. She had so much courage. I was always so proud of her ability to prevail even after the most troubling times and to carry on with grace and resilience. In the face of hardship, she remained resolute in her belief that better days were ahead, steadfast in her desire to make the best of life, no matter the circumstances, and she always managed to find her way back home.

She lived her days like each day was her last - “YOLO, Jer,” she’d say- You only live once, and she certainly knew how to make the best of each day, as though it was her last. She loved to sing at the top of her lungs, dance in the rain, eat Hot Cheetos, and just have fun. She absolutely loved life!

She saw the beauty in the most ordinary things. During her visit to Texas, she would sit in my back patio, looking out into the horizon, so hopeful. She taught me that hope could be found in the simple pleasures of life, a cup of coffee, steak, corn, mashed potatoes, wine and in sunsets, rainbows, the moon and the stars. She constantly reminded me that happiness could be as close as a moment of shared laughter with loved ones. She was always bringing people together, just as she did here.

When we lose our loved ones, we tend to take a step back in the midst of our busy lives and reflect. Today, Gianna reminds us to make lots of precious memories; to smile, laugh, and embrace our loved ones as much as we can. She embodied everything that we wish that the world could be.

Gianna Lynn, Nana Girl, Nan, Nana Potaki, G , G-Baby, I will carry on your legacy of hope, not as a mere memory but as an enduring commitment to leading a life of kindness for a brighter and more hopeful world to honor you. Thank you for a lifetime of precious moments - We will miss you so very much our beautiful baby girl, but we’re happy you’re free - dancing in the sky and singing with the angels. We love you so much.

On October 21st, our precious Gianna Lynn was called home. We appreciate the outpouring of love and support from all over, and many of you from off-island have asked how you can contribute monetarily to assist the family during this trying time. If you can make a contribution, please do so here. All collections will be given to her brother, Georgie, and will be used toward our beloved Gianna’s memorial services. We thank you so much for the tremendous support! We know she’s watching over all of us with her beautiful smile!