I found out late yesterday that Denessa Smith had passed into the Summerland. I was heartbroken by this news.
Denessa was the founder of the Tempest Smith Foundation, a foundation in memory of her daughter that combats intolerance towards Pagan young people. I blogged about meeting Denessa here.
I only met Denessa the one time, about a year and a half ago. It would be presumptuous to call her friend. But I was deeply moved by her and will never forget her. She was a true hero. She faced down the death of her young daughter and brought good from it.
I’m crying as I write this. She was a light and a force that I cannot believe is gone from this world. And I cannot bear to imagine being as brave as she was.
May she be born again to those who loved her, and know them, and remember, and love them again. May she and Tempest be born again together and love each other again in the next life.
Blessed be.
Denessa Smith Memorial Celebration
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
7pm to 10 pm
7:30 pm Ritual
Bishop Park, Wyandotte, MI
Please join the Pagan community to honor Denessa’s life and work. Come raise your voices with Michelle Belanger, Dorothy Morrison, Coventry Creations, Cov/42 Productions, FOCAS, MEC, Pagan Path Community Center, Pagan Pride Detroit, Undeniable Entertainment, Witches of Michigan and members of the Tempest Smith Foundation along with tributes from Christopher Penczak and Kerr Cuhulain.
Denessa was able to bring hope out of tragedy, and that will be our goal with this group ritual.
This ceremony is going to be a memorial, but it is also going to be a celebration. Denessa was a woman who drank deeply of wine and pleasure and flesh and joy, and, accordingly, we ask that people bring their best desserts and other favorite sweets and drinks to share (as it’s a public park, no alcohol). Please also bring a chair. If you have not shared comments for the family at http://www.mec-mi.org, feel free to bring a single page with a blessing, comment, or prayer for Denessa that will be passed on to the family.
If you would like to make donations to the family or to continue Denessa’s vision, you may follow the instructions on the above website.
I am a friend of Tempest’s Grand Mother and Denessa Mother, Nancy we all knew each other in Texas when Nancy lived here.I got to know tempest and denessa and my girls played and loved tempest and it was so said to just hear about Denessa i want to let the family we love them always and if anyone out there knows of Ms Nancy Kramer i sure would appreicate if she gets this message or any information about her and her husband Tony.
Thank you,
Mary Ann Dowler
my ph no 832-838-8153
my email dowlmry@aol.com
my name. Mary Ann Dowler
my address :
P.O.Box 115
Highlands, Texas 77562