Remembering Tessa: Support for the Nelson Family

Josh and Chrissy Nelson are part of our Coast Guard family, and they have experienced a horrible loss with the recent unexpected passing of Tessa, their radiant and kind-hearted 14-year-old daughter. Tessa was heavily involved in EY2S Ministries, a Norfolk-based, inner-city focused charity. The purpose of this fundraiser is to remember Tessa and show our love and support for Josh, Chrissy, Blaine, Jack and Zoey. Donations will be used to support this charity, for which Tessa cared so much, and ensure her large extended family are all able to attend her services and properly say goodbye to the girl they loved so much. 

Below is a lovely and moving description of Tessa written by Chrissy:

“Tessa Nelson is our beautiful daughter that we had the privilege of loving for 14 years and 8 days. She was sunshine. Her smile really did light up a room. She was an excellent student, an athlete, a bookworm, a dog lover, a sister, & friend. All who knew Tessa have remarked that she was one of the kindest people they knew, and she really was. Tessa was gritty, she tackled challenges head on with determination and dreamed big dreams, including being a Supreme Court Justice, an author, or both :-) She was confident in her faith in Jesus Christ, loved her church family and youth group, and left us a journal entry titled “My Will” that has been a beautiful testament of her heart & person.
She passed suddenly last Friday, when an unknown condition she had possibly had since birth, an AVM, ruptured in her brain. Her medical care, surgical team, & nursing staff were amazing. They did everything they could do to save our girl, but her injury was too severe. We’re thankful that she is whole in Heaven with her Savior. Lilly, her faithful 15-year-old golden retriever, suffered a series of strokes on Friday as well, and the following day, went to find our girl and tell her how much we miss her.
Tessa was able to be a donor match with 8 people waiting for a life-saving transplants. Even in this dark time for our family, her light shines on through the gift of life to these people we don’t even know. To God be the Glory!”