In Memory of Jessica – Our Kolcraft Co-Worker Who Battled Cancer

When you work 40+ hours a week with someone you get to know them well especially when they worked at your company for 23 years! The flip side of the joy of getting to know a co-worker that well, is you miss them all the more when they are gone. This past week one of our co-workers, Jessica Garcia, died after a courageous fight with cancer.

Jessica loved to celebrate EVERYTHING. It didn’t matter what holiday or occasion it was, Jessica felt it should be celebrated. Her excitement for celebrating life was contagious as any Kolcraft employee can testify to. Today’s post is dedicated to Jessica as we remember her and celebrate her life.

Jessica always wanted to make sure people had eaten and thus ordered lunch for anyone interested every day. She constantly left little chocolates on my desk because she knew I liked them. It was little stuff like that – she just gave and gave even though she had very little. – Eileen L.

We all loved Jessica’s ability to coordinate or assist in planning special events such as holiday parties, etc.  She was able to get everyone involved and excited about upcoming events.  She also loved to decorate our offices even for the smallest of events and holidays. – Ron B.

Jessica loved our veterans.  One of her concerns about dying that she expressed to me last week was who was going to take care of her veterans?  She was very patriotic and always had a small flag hanging in her area. – Sharon D.

She LOVED to shop.  I went on vacation one year with her and in a week we drove from Chicago to WI to In to MI!  The trip was in her white van.  We went with her dog Pipsie.  He got to sit in the front seat with her the entire trip and I sat in the back.  The van was so loaded by the end of the week we just had enough room for us to sit.  It was a week that I will never forget. – Doreen P.

She LOVED kids! And always expressed how much she loved my children. She would ask, “How are my princesses?” whenever she saw me. She would print out pictures of them and put them on her walls. It was very sweet. I will miss her energy and honesty and genuine enthusiasm about helping out others in need. – Hyon T.

Jessica was a great friend, she was like family to me she was always there to listen to me and always had great advice. She loved to create garlands for her friends for every holiday. Alice in Wonderland was one of her favorite characters so I always knew what to get her for her Birthday or for Christmas. She was really funny too and loved to have nicknames for everyone, I will miss her calling me Lily.  She was also known as the lunch lady, everyone knew who to go to when they were hungry, because she would always order out. I’m so glad I was by her side her last minutes, she will always be remembered in my heart. -  Juanita A.

If you walk around the second floor, you can still see many of Jessica’s holiday decorations.  I still don’t know where she got those Easter pictures that she strung up on ribbons and hung around the office.  I still have a Valentine’s Day decoration on my bulletin board.  She even decorated my door for Christmas.  Jessica loved Holidays! – Ruth F.

Jessica had a big heart for giving to other people. If you needed a favor Jessica came to the rescue. She did not know my sister-in-law in Texas but she sent her a gift after she found out she had surgery. They talked on Sunday and that made Jessica happy, she was all smiles. We will miss our Party Planner. – Cipriana F.

A few months ago I had the opportunity to help organize a Kolcraft donation to two local charities that Jessica was familiar with.  Her enthusiasm for helping these charities was contagious and I feel fortunate to have been a part of something that she was so passionate about. – Chris H.

Jessica was totally dedicated to Team and morale building here on Monroe Street. She always created those little events to get us all together to get better acquainted with one another. Events like: ordering lunches, Making Start of Day and MidDay Break treats like Root beer floats, ice cream, Waffles, bakery, and always made sure we observed and got into the full spirit of ALL holidays. – Gary K.

Jessica loved angels and anything from the Victorian Era.  She used to say she was born in the wrong era! – Cathy S.

Jessica was my holiday reminder.  She always got me excited to celebrate the holidays.  I was also touched by her love for dogs. – Barry T.

Jessica was passionate about God and country.   She supported our troops with enthusiasm and organized donations for veterans.  She loved her dogs and would have adopted every dog in the shelter if it were possible. Jessica loved her holiday decorations, good coffee and her bling, but she had a heart for those in need. – Carol B.

Jessica was so good to me when I was pregnant. She always made sure I was getting enough rest and eating well. When my baby was born she bought her all sorts of gifts. This past Sunday Baby K was fussing at church. I pulled out a toy that Jess had given her. She immediately calmed down. I knew Jess was smiling at us & watching over us. – Michelle H.

Thank you Jessica for the difference you made for Kolcraft and all our customers. You will be missed!