Thanksgiving Eve 2008

March 21, 2011

Name: Nicole Schwarz

Location: Kennett Square, Pennsylvania

Relationship to Jessica: Best friend

I met Jess in our 1st grade CCD class.

Kristen, Dana, Chrystie, Nicole, Kourtney, & Jessica at Palm Bar (the night Nicole & Greg met), November 2008

Nicole & Jessica at Nick Rossi's wedding, October 2010

© jessicafashano.com

I have one particular memory to share but before I do, I would like to express how blessed I am that Jessica was part of my life. We had so many amazing times together that I could fill books with all of our stories. We grew up playing town soccer and softball together and then, once we started having all the same classes in school, we just got closer and closer. She always inspired me to do my best because she was always so great at everything she did. She really was like a sister to me. Almost all of my memories from the last 15 years of my life have her in them. She even waited 2 months to celebrate her sweet 16, so we could have a joint party and celebrate our birthdays together. She was my best friend in the truest sense of the word.

My memory is from the night I met my fiance, Greg, which I fully attribute to Jessica. It was the night before Thanksgiving in 2008 and of course we have our “high school reunion” where we all get together to hang out. At the time, I worked at Rutgers University and had to stay that night to work a men’s basketball game. By the time I got home, it was late and I was tired. I wasn’t in the mood to go out. I told my mom I was thinking of staying home. Then my mom said, “Come on you have to go out. Jessica will be there and you haven’t seen her in a while. At least go for a little bit to see her!” She was right, I really wanted to see Jess, so I motivated myself and went out.

Mr. Fashano picked me up and Jessica and I went to meet our friends (who I also did want to see for the record)! A little while later, Jessica and I were talking to our friend Dave when this random guy came behind us, put his arms over both of our shoulders and asked, “Why are you talking to this guy?” I turned and saw Greg standing there, wondering who he was and if he actually knew Dave. We started talking (he explained he was Dave’s roommate) and talked the rest of the night…and now, 2 1/2 years later, we’re planning our wedding.

If it weren’t for Jessica, I would not have gone out that night and would never have met Greg. After Greg proposed, Jessica was the first person I called after my mom, sister and grandma. I know she can’t be at our wedding in person, but I know she will be looking down on us with that huge, unforgettable smile on her face. I will miss you forever Jess, I love you so much <3

Filed Under: Childhood, Hometown Memories Tagged With: , , ,

Yellow Leather Limousine

March 14, 2011

Name: Billy Williams

Location: Richmond, Virginia

Relationship to Jessica: Close friend

I met Jessica in one of the many, many classes we took together during middle school. I’ll go with 6th grade math.

Jessica & Billy with their flour babies in high school

© jessicafashano.com

Jessica & Billy at Senior Prom

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It took me quite a few years to realize that friendship isn’t easy. It requires an investment of time, energy, and heart that many struggle with – especially as physical distance grows and time passes. But with Jess and me it was always so easy.

My fondest memories with Jessica are from senior year at Whippany Park. Suddenly, the reality of college hit our friends. Everything we grew accustomed to was ending: Friendly’s trips, Livingston Mall/Applebee’s dinners, trips to the Parsippany movie theater. Sports, clubs, classes, pool parties. It was scary. So we made the most of our time together. And those last few months were some of the best of my life.

For whatever reason (bribes, rides to school) Jessica “said yes!” to going to senior prom with me. We both poured a lot of time into planning it, trying to make ours the best of all time. The location, the food, the music, the class gift. One of the few things Jess left in my hands was transportation – and wow, did she ever regret it!

We thought it would be cool to get a limo from NYC. They’d know exactly where to take us after prom! We reserved some cool wheels for the big event. Of course, we came home and showed the girls pictures of a cheesy Vegas-style yellow leather limo. They were mortified – especially Jess. Joke was on them!

The day finally arrived. We finished up pictures and waited for our limo. And waited…and waited…and waited. We were sweating. No one was happy. The driver was stuck in traffic (you HAD to go to NYC for this)?? We missed the cocktail hour. Finally it pulled up. Jess – excited to leave – opened the door. And it was the yellow leather limo. She cried. I was batting a thousand.

After these initial bumps, it turned out to be an amazing night. Jess was an effervescent, beautiful date. I was very lucky to have shared that memory with her. We had a blast.

Jess has played many roles in my life – high school prom date, college counselor, career counselor, math tutor, reality-checker. But above all, she was and will continue to be my inspiration.

We were truly blessed with a strong, caring group of friends in high school. As I went through college, it was evident that high school friendships – for the most part – fade away. But not ours; we wouldn’t let it. And Jess was an integral part of our group. There is no us without Jess. And we are fortunate enough to have each other for love and support during the good times…and, during the not so good.

Here’s to the times we shared, to the memories we made, and to an incredible woman that made those memories even better. Complete with cheesy “memory song” (which actually was released at the same time as our high school graduation) and scanned disposable camera pictures. Both of which would have Jessica bursting out in laughter.

Hopefully, somewhere up there, you can still hear Div whisper over a seventh grade three-way phone call “Billy loves Jessica…”


Filed Under: Childhood, Hometown Memories Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Hilarious Fashano Dinners

March 10, 2011

Name: Jeff Roth

Location: Denville, New Jersey

Relationship to Jessica: Brother-in-law

I met Jessica in 2000 when I started dating Danielle. She was 17, and it was the summer before her junior year of high school.

Danielle, Jessica, & Jeff, Summer 2001


© jessicafashano.com


The summer I met Danielle, I was a little nervous about being introduced to Jessica because I was told she had tough standards for who should go out with her sister.  Fortunately, she took it easy on me and treated me with nothing but kindness from the start.  That fall, even though Danielle was studying in Spain, Jessica made sure that we had little party at the Fashano house on my birthday.  Having moved from Ohio after college, it was great to have a place in New Jersey where I felt at home.

My favorite memory is of all the times we sat around the dinner table, usually eating pasta with homemade “Italian gravy.”  Even when Jessica was in high school and studied non-stop, she would always come down to the kitchen to eat with her family.  Everyone who knew Jessica talks a lot about her laugh, but amplify that several times over and you have a typical Fashano dinner.  I can’t quite describe it but someone would say something funny, and Jessica would raise her arms and let her silverware plop to the table.  She would then bust out her classic laugh, but not before pausing for dramatic effect and getting this look on her face that would make everyone immediately start rolling with laughter.

It is in such times of laughter and joy that I miss Jessica most, thinking about what she would say and how she would react, and feeling a deep sense of regret that our happiest moments will be experienced without her.

Filed Under: Childhood, Family, Hometown Memories Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

My Left Side Is My Good Side

March 8, 2011

Name: Theresa Mazza

Location: Hoboken, New Jersey

Relationship to Jessica: Best friend

Jessica and I met in the 6th grade at our school’s wilderness retreat. We were put into groups for lunch and she sat directly across from me. We instantly clicked. Later, when we were all asked to write about our favorite experience from the trip, Jess said hers was meeting me. We were best friends ever since.

Once in a Lifetime

For me, friendships like mine and Jessica’s only come once in lifetime. Sure, we all meet tons of great people who come into our lives, who we click with on various topics, interests and life experiences, but as we all know there is always that one friend that stands above the rest. It’s the friend you can always count on for a meaningful chat; the friend who is the only person to wish you a happy birthday (the day after); the friend you never have to pretend for, the friend who winks at you to acknowledge that they know exactly what you’re thinking and it’s that same friend you roll your eyes back at because they figured it out; it’s the friend that isn’t afraid to tell you you’re “OUT OF YOUR TREE,” and that skinny jeans really may not be most flattering on either of you, or that your eyebrows need waxing- yet again; it’s the friend you love unconditionally and the friend you can’t ever imagine living without. Jess, for me, was that friend. She’s like a once in lifetime cosmic event, never to repeat herself but rather to leave her spectacular, astoundingly beautiful, and monumental mark on the universe and more importantly on my life.

Theresa's first visit to see Jess at Georgetown, 2002

© jessicafashano.com


This picture is from my very first trip down to visit Jess at Georgetown in 2002. We both loved this picture so much, that we spent the next 8 years trying to replicate it, often fighting over who got the be on the left side, since it was both our “good side.”  I often had to remind her that in the original it was me!

My Jessbabes,

I miss you more than I could ever show you or tell you. I cherish every moment we ever spent together. Your smile, your laugh and your spirit are forever in my heart. I love you.

Nuzzles,
Maz

Filed Under: Childhood, Hometown Memories Tagged With: , , , , ,

Dorts

March 2, 2011

Name: Kourtney Hydock

Location: Mendham, New Jersey

Relationship to Jessica: Best friend

I’ve known Jessica for 25 years.  We grew up together on Forest Way.

© jessicafashano.com

My nearest & dearest friend Jessica:

Where to begin…I always envied the person you were but more so the person you were becoming. I knew we were not always together but we were never too far apart either. We had the type of friendship where we could pick up right where we left off and that to me is the type of friendship I knew could last forever. There was no doubt in my mind that one day you were going to be a bridesmaid in my wedding – if I ever find the right guy. I know now instead you will be looking down at me and probably laughing at me thinking to yourself, “Kourt you are being ridiculous spending way too much money on your makeup and hair.” I can see it now.

Jessica, you have blessed my life for the past 27 years. I will always remember Pepperoni House and the various memories we created at both our houses on Forest Way. I still cannot believe my parents decided to move out of Trailwood. I always went shopping with my Mom instead of hanging out with you, Kristen & Danielle as children. Sorry about that, shopping got the best of me as always. You were the first one to call me Dorts because you couldn’t pronounce Kourt too well back then.

I will always cherish our Miami trip with Nicole and Theresa and more than anything, the family cruises we went on together, especially when we got off the dock in Bermuda without Danielle because she didn’t want to go clubbing but Jeff however did. We had one of the best nights. You called the guy Steve I met on the cruise “waiter boy” because he always wore a tux and left it on during formal nights. HAHA. I actually told him that recently when I saw him again. The many overnight trips I came to visit you in the big apple especially for you bringing me to Tenjune on your birthday you knew how badly I wanted to check out that spot. What a classic night that was.

The memory that will play back in my mind forever is doing baseball stats with you junior & senior year of high school. I know you were ambivalent about it at first and I know you did it to spend time with me as you put in my yearbook and that truly meant the most to me. It was a great way to spend time together and get an appreciation for the sport. There were countless laughs and probably many mistakes mainly on my part but all in great fun.

How can we forget prom 2001 we had to get a flashy limousine from the city and of course what color interior did it have but yellow. You started crying when you saw it. Who wouldn’t they were one and a half hours late to pick us up.

You wrote in my yearbook that we would grow to be old ladies together and that unfortunately doesn’t hold true anymore Jess…oh how I wish that was the case. I remember your laugh and smile like it was yesterday. The way you carried yourself with such dignity and class. You were my once in a lifetime friend. I will look back on these memories and so many more and hold them near and dear in my heart forever. You showed me what friendship is all about.

We would have celebrated twenty five years of our friendship this year. Not too many people could say that. “It is by chance that we met, by choice that we became friends.”

I loved you when I was 2 ½ and I love you more than ever at 27. You will forever be a part of me, Jessbabes.

Your one & only Dorts. xOx

Filed Under: Around Town, Childhood, Hometown Memories Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

A Childhood Friend

February 24, 2011

Name: Craig Vagell

Location: Jersey City, New Jersey

Relationship to Jessica: Childhood friend

I’ve known Jessica since grade school.

Jessica, Craig, and Theresa on Halloween, 2008

© jessicafashano.com

Take 2

© jessicafashano.com

Jessica and I had a great time growing up together. I can remember the many times I would go over to the Fashano’s to play and hang out with her. She was always a great childhood friend of mine who accepted everyone.

I remember when she broke her arm way back when and I told my mom that I wanted to give her a get well gift. So I ordered her a bear with a broken arm with a hard cast on it and signed it and then brought it over to the house for her.

I will never forget the smile and laugh she gave when I did this. We had so many great memories together and I am thankful for being a part of her life.

Filed Under: Childhood Tagged With: , ,

A Sweet Memory

February 23, 2011

Name: Jen Bryson Palys

Location: Scottsdale, Arizona

Relationship to Jessica: Friend of Danielle

I’ve been friends with Danielle growing up and have known the Fashano family since they moved to town.

Jessica en route to Danielle & Jeff's wedding, 10/17/04

© jessicafashano.com

As a childhood friend of Danielle’s, I knew Jessica from when she was very small. My last memory is a vivid one of Jessica at Danielle’s wedding. She was as beautiful and vivacious as ever. I remember thinking how sweet it was that she was so interested in my current life and wanted to know details. She truly cared about people and was truly cared for and that is one of the reasons she is missed so much!

Filed Under: Childhood Tagged With: ,

Montauk Wedding Memories

February 22, 2011

Name: Lauren Rossi

Location: Morris Plains, NJ

Relationship to Jessica: Friend to my son and me

I met Jessica when she became friends with my son Nick in middle school in 1994.

Jessica & her lobster, October 2010

Jessica, Lauren, & Kristin at the Rossi Wedding, October 2010


© jessicafashano.com

I wanted to share with you my thoughts and memories of the last time I saw Jessica. The night before Nick and Kristen’s wedding, as we celebrated at the rehearsal dinner, Jessica sat with me, Matt, Maggie, my brother Doug, sister in law Renate and Billy Williams. It had been years since Jessica had seen my brother Doug but remembered his crazy sense of humor from times at our house for BBQs. All through dinner Doug referred to Billy as “Billy Billy” and each time he did we heard Jessica’s signature laugh! When the waiter brought Jessica her lobster she picked up the cracker and laughed as she told us she had no idea how to use it. As you can see in the photo she proudly wore her lobster bib.

We spent the night talking and laughing as my brother tried to get her to try some crazy drinks. It had been years since I had the opportunity to spend so much time with Jessica and catch up with her and hear all about her job. I felt so bad for her when she told me that she had a car service picking her up Sunday morning at 4 am because she had a business trip and an early morning flight, she told me she was just going to pull an all-nighter because she didn’t want to miss any of the celebration. We talked about her job and how she enjoyed what she was doing.

The next day at the wedding Jessica looked absolutely beautiful as she greeted guests coming into the church. When we were all back at the reception Jessica grabbed me and said she wanted a picture of us to remember the day, it’s one of my favorite pictures. All night long at the reception I watched Nick, Kristen, and their amazing friends dance the night way without a care in the world, right in the middle of it all was Jessica. Her laugh was contagious and her smile was genuine and sincere.

I am so proud to have known Jessica and I will treasure the memories of Montauk forever. She will be missed. At such a young age Jessica made a huge impact on everyone who knew her.

Filed Under: Around Town, Hometown Memories Tagged With: ,

The Avid Reader

February 17, 2011

Name: Ryan Dunleavy

Location: Whippany, New Jersey

Relationship to Jessica:  Friend

Jess and I met in elementary school and remained friends.

Jessica & Ryan in High School

© jessicafashano.com

My first memory of Jess isn’t the kind of funny/embarrassing story that high school friends will tell over and over again as the years go by. I have plenty of those, but I prefer this one:

At Salem Drive Elementary School, classes broke into reading groups once a day. I hated reading groups until one day when Jess — who already was known as the smartest kid in class — convinced me otherwise. I don’t remember exactly what she said, but I know I’ve always secretly credited her for generating my interest in reading in a way that my teachers could not. I guess I listened to her because her intelligence, maturity and ambition was something to be envious of even back then.

Filed Under: Childhood, Hometown Memories Tagged With: ,

A Special Gift

February 15, 2011

Name: Nicole Schwarz

Location: Kennett Square, Pennsylvania

Relationship to Jessica: Best friend from school

The very first time I met Jess was in 1st grade CCD class.

Jess & Nicole in High School


© jessicafashano.com

I called Jess one day when we first started to become close friends (so maybe 7th or 8th grade). Of course there was no cell phone yet so I called the house number. I remember being so nervous because I was a dork and was excited to call her on the phone.

Mrs. Fashano answered so I held on as she went to get Jess. I could hear a piano playing in the background and I remember thinking, I wonder what Jess is watching! It was around Christmas time so it was one of the Christmas songs.

The music stopped and Jess got on the phone. I was like, were YOU playing that? And she said, yes that was me. I couldn’t believe it because it was so beautiful and at the time I didn’t know she played the piano so well. I told her how great she sounded and probably went on and on about it.

Once Christmas arrived, Jess gave me her gift: it was a cassette tape of her playing a bunch of Christmas songs. I loved it and played it every Christmas (until I no longer had a cassette tape player)! This was one of my first memories of Jess….and there were many more after this one. I will miss her every day of my life.

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