Listed: FRAT

Today marks the day when one of the most inspiring, hardworking, and overall FUN peers of mine is buried.  I first met my friend Jessica Fertitta when I pledged Pi Beta Phi at UT.  She quickly became a familiar face as she was ALWAYS advocating some group, program, or organization during weekly meetings... well actually anytime you would enter into a conversation with her.  She was more than "involved" in scholastic endeavors, this girl lead them all, scored amazing grades, and at the end of the day could hang with the best of em!  I never understood how someone could be so capable.  President of this, founder of that, I bet her childhood trophy room was teeming!  Blackberry always in hand... nothing abnormal for today's young adult but Jessica put her to use for way more than just texts and calls.  I will never forget my junior year during work week and the shock she sent me into as she read a poem she drafted on her blackberry while riding home from a day we at Pi Phi like to call Senior Skip Day.  During rush each year the senior class gets to take a day off because lets face it, they have it down after three years!  On this skip day its tradition for the senior class to bus out to the lake and board a large "party" barge.  The barge cruises around the lake for a few hours while its passengers bask in the sun, float in the water and enjoy an adult beverage or ten.  Its one of the highlights of my college experience for sure!  Post barge, they girls are bussed back (about 20 minute ride) just in time to help the freshmen class practice lines.  They usually only go through once and its beyond hilarious.  Jessica walked, danced, chanted, and kindly corrected the freshmen who were NOT doing lines correctly and the blackberry was still in hand.  Once all the seniors were taken through, several of them continued to dance and chant until Jessica summoned a hush and had everyone take a seat.  She then started to read a poem from her blackberry to the sorority.  This wasn't a famous poem, it was better.  While on the ride back to the house, Jessica came up with a poem about each and every girl in her pledge class.  The whole thing was brilliant!  Every line was hilarious and dead on.  I just so happen to love making up such poems so at this point, in addition to having a badass name, this girl just became even more amazing to me.  How could someone be so observant as to come up with a couple stanzas that were each unique and equally hilarious for 40 or so girls in about 30 minutes?  That's Jessica Fertitta for ya! 

Please keep her family in your prayers as they begin to face their lives without their rockstar of a daughter.  Below is her obituary. 



Jessica Michelle Fertitta
May 10, 1985 - February 20, 2011

Jessica Michelle Fertitta, the light in so many lives, was in a tragic accident in Beaumont, February 20, 2011.  Jessica was born May 10, 1985, and immediately filled those around her with joy and happiness.  She was a proud 2007 graduate of the University of Texas in Austin.  Jessica was pursuing her career goal of becoming a lawyer and was a second year student at the University of Texas Law School.  She was excited to be interning in the Texas State Senate as one of many positions she held throughout her life in the field of public service.  She was a leader in student government from grade school through college and spent four years working for Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott.



Jessica’s remarkable life was marked by many accomplishments and successes.  She earned full academic scholarships for both her undergraduate degree and law school.  Jessica served her sorority, Pi Beta Phi, as vice president of her pledge class and as president of Panhellenic.  She was president of her senior class at Monsignor Kelly High School and held too many leadership positions to list.  Jessica was a gifted writer, public speaker and entrepreneur-starting her first of many businesses while she was still in grade school.  Jessica, simply put, lived a life full of exception and vigor.



Although Jessica excelled in academics, civics and philanthropy her family and friends are most proud of who she was as a person.  She had a presence of warmth and grace with a beautiful smile that lit up a room. Jessica was very kind, generous with her heart and a friend to so many.  She took time and energy to make those around her feel loved, supported and special.  A true leader, she inspired those around her with her courage, resilience, energy and optimism.  She was known for always turning negative situations into positive ones by “flipping it.”  Jessica began each day with the motto, “You can do it.”  She was a dedicated Christian with strong faith and sincere desire to help others.



Jessica is survived by her parents, Paige and Terry Meighen; her brothers, Taylor and Parker Meighen; her grandparents, Dona and Vincent Fertitta; aunt, Stacy Fertitta; uncle, Vincent Fertitta, Jr.; and cousins, Joseph Fertitta, William Fertitta and Jack Fertitta; as well as many extended family members and countless friends.