Saturday, June 16, 2007

You are Welcome to Say Goodbye to Brianna on June 21 at 11 am


Brianna Lauren Grant
Jan. 12, 1990 - June 15, 2007

Beloved Daughter of
Iva and John Wilcox
and James Grant and
Mary O'Callaghan

We said our goodbyes to Brianna yesterday. Her spirit was already gone, so she was taken off the ventilator. Her heart quietly stopped. I held her hand to my cheek, stroked her brow and kissed her forehead. John and Trevor told her they loved her. Her family surrounded her, held her and wept softly. I love you forever my darling, and I will see you again.

Funeral Services will be held:
Thursday, June 21, 2007
11 a.m. and a Wake will immediately follow

St. Timothy's Episcopal Church
1550 Diablo Road, Danville, CA
(925) 837-4993

Donations may be sent in Brianna's memory to the National Art Honor Society at Monte Vista High School, 825 Hartz Way, Danville, CA 94526.

40 comments:

. said...

oh sweetie...words cannot convey the heaviness of my heart. This wasn't supposed to happen. You are the most amazing mother, woman, daughter, wife and friend. You have been a rock and Brianna has been so lucky to have you. You two have been 2 peas in a pod and I know the future will be a struggle. You have lost your sweet daughter, your partner in crime, your art buddy...but she lives on in you. You will forge forward and carry her spirit with you for all your days. We will never forget.

Sylvia Anderson said...

I cannot express how sorry I am Iva....Brianna will be missed by so many, and I know there will always be a hole in your heart. Colleen said it all....my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family every day as you struggle thru this time.
Sylvia

PEA said...

Iva,
I am a fellow pfatt gal and have watched your story and Brianna's story for some time now.
I am so sorry for your loss and this wonderful, sad and touching story of her life wasn't supposed to end this way.
You never get over the loss of a child you get through the steps day by day. May you someday find peace till you can see her again.
Prayers to you and yours that this time of peace will come swiftly.
Pea

Dixie Redmond said...

Oh, Iva. I'm so sorry. You all will be in my prayers still.

Julia said...

No words could make the pain go through...just taking a look at Brianna´s eyes and smile, I am sure they with you for the rest of your lifes !!!

God Bless you !!

Julia

Enchanted Productions by Joyce Stahl said...

I am continuing to hold you in my thoughts and prayers. My deepest sympathies to you and your family at this difficult time.

Wishing you peace.

Joyce

Kitty Forseth said...

Iva.. Heaven has received a true angel this week.. My heart is truly breaking for you and your family.. We will be here for you, to offer support and love throughout this impossibly difficult time.

Brianna's beautiful spirit surely will live on forever..

~Kitty

Dana said...

Dear Iva and Family,

My heart is so heavy for you all ... I was in disbelief when I read that God had called your dear sweet daughter home so very soon. You have my sincerest condolences ... I wish there were something more I could say or do to ease the pain in your untimely loss. God bless and keep you ...

With Love & Tears,
Dana

Unknown said...

Dear Iva,
My deepest sympathies to you and your family....you are all in my thoughts and prayers.......

Jane's Designs said...

God bless you all. My heart goes out to you.

Mitchell Gutierrez said...

Dear Mrs. Grant,

I'm a friend of Brianna's from school. And I am so sorry for your loss. We will all miss Brianna so much. I want you to know that my heart goes out to you and your family in this rough time. Brianna was the kindest person I have ever known and still is and I know she is with all of you and all of us in our hearts. May God keep her soul in his love and I look forward to the day when I will see Brianna again. Once again I'm very sorry for your loss.

Susan said...

I'm a total stranger, but I'm a mom, so when I read Briana's story, I was so touched by her sweet nature, and all of your hopes. I'm so, so sorry that it didn't work out in this world. My sympathy to all of you on your loss.

ThePowerofPrayer said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
ThePowerofPrayer said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
ThePowerofPrayer said...

We are heartbroken about the loss of our stepsister, Brianna. We are so sorry to lose her and we will miss her terribly. Here are some additional services for Brianna:

Viewing
Tuesday, June 19th, 2-7pm
Wilson and Kratzer Mortuary
825 Hartz Way, Danville

Funeral Mass
Wednesday, June 20th, 10am
St. Isidore Church
440 La Gonda Way, Danville

-Erin & Tara

Sharon Bonner said...

Iva,

I'm so sorry for your loss. My heart goes out to you and your family. You are such a wonderful sweet person and I am so sad to think of the pain you are going though. Please know my thoughts are with you.

Sharon

Gregg said...

There isn't a word strong enough to describe how sorry I am for your loss. Brianna was a great friend and a very lovable and outgoing person. If there is anything you need do not hesitate to come knock on my door, my family would love to help in any way. Brianna will be missed more then i can explain.
Your Neighbor, Gregg

vince said...

Iva,
im sorry for your's and your familys loss of brianna.. im a friend of briannas from school and everytime i was around her shed always have a bright smile on her face to please everyone.. although i cannot express how sorry i am. brianna was a very loving and carring person. i'll never forget about brianna and how much of a great person she was

presley said...

Iva and Family-

My thoughts and prayers are with you always. Let your deepest sorrows be lifted through Bri's incredible strength..her warmth, her creativity, her strength of character, and her spirit live on within you. Her life is celebrated everyday by those who were blessed to know her. Her unique presence will forever be truly missed.

Infinitely Hopeful,

Presley

A - Zinnia Productions said...

Dear Sweet Iva. I am so overwhelmed with sadness for your loss. How can one grasp what it must be like to lose a child. You and your family have been in the loving thoughts and prayers of the pfatt community, and countless others, who have heard your circumstances, who have heard of your strength, Brianna's beauty, and your devotion to her humanity and her dignity. Your daughter has given us gifts beyond your imagination, and she has touched us all with her spirit. She has united us, and joined us as a strong outer circle for you. We love you, and we are here for you, and hope you will always reach out to us whenever you need to. Any time. Love...Cristina (Zinnie)

Unknown said...

Dearest Iva, and Family

My heart is crying for you and your loss...I hope that your faith in God will help you to see that she has been taken in the arms of her Father...this sweet soul will live on eternally..and you my dear will one day reunite in new bodies together forever. She may be gone from this earth...but really she is not gone. You have surely given her a wonderful life, she looked so happy, may you forever cherish those images. I wrote a poem to a child I lost and wanted to share it with you.

You came into my heart...and all too soon you left
I think of you and know that we had been blessed
yet I am so sad, there comes a smile of glee
in my heart I know...that God is holding thee.
I think Of you...a face I cannot touch
But know that in my heart
I love you oh so much.

Iva. My prayers and thoughts are with you.If ever you need a shoulder.I am here.Please take care and hang on sweety.
with love in Christ, your sister in PFATT and life..

Mica http://garboodles.typepad.com/

soozhan said...

I only met your daughter a few times, but she was one of Trenton's favorite friends. We are so sorry for your loss; please know you are in our prayers.

Stacy French said...

Dearest Iva,
Know that my deepest sympathies are with you and your family.
I am so grateful to you for sharing not only your profound love for Brianna, but the privilage of knowing her through your words. She will always have a place in my heart and thoughts.
Thank you Iva, you are a remarkable mother and friend.
God be with you.
hugs, Stacy

Michelle said...

Dear Iva,
Even though I don't know you and never knew Brianna, you both have touched my life in so many ways.

I cannot fully comprehend what it must be like to lose a child. You are in my prayers hourly, I keep thinking of you and your family and even woke from a sound sleep the other night to pray for you.

My Heart and My Soul knows that Brianna is an Angel now. Your daughter lives in you and so many others that she has touched. She is truly a beautiful Soul. I only wish I could have known her personally, but I know that someday I will. Thank you for sharing this journey. You have blessed my life.

Anonymous said...

I have been watching your and Brianna's story for some time now.
It shouldn't have ended this way. There just isn't anything worse than losing a child. My heart and prayers go out to you and your family. I hope you don't abandon this blog out of grief. Use it to help you through this time. We'll listen to you, we'll cry with you. We'll send hugs and hold you til you have the strength to walk again. Let us be there for you.

kellyo75 said...

I am so so sorry. I only came across your blog today, but I read all the back blogs, and as a mom, my deepest sympathies go out to you and your family. She obviously touched so many lives and will be greatly missed.

Janice Earheart said...

My heart aches for you. I will continue to keep you in my prayers.

softinthehead said...

Dearest Iva...Thank you for sharing Brianna with me....She has touched me spiritually and that will continue to grow in my life. I am a better person for knowing her. Pam

Stillwaters Music said...

Iva, my heart just sank to read of this. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. You have a beautiful treasure stored in Heaven for you. May the Grace of God be poured in abundance on you and your whole family and give you strength during this difficult time.
~Nena

Anonymous said...

I am sad to read this news. Brianna was my student at Monte Vista for a short while. We wished her Bon Voyage at the beginning of the year as she left us for her journey to this destiny. All of us so hoped for another ending. But, I want you to know that I have a picture of Brianna in my heart that will be there forever - her kind nature, a lovely, sometimes impish smile, a sweet regard, and her quiet courage. Susan Threatt

Shirley said...

Iva, John and Trevor,
I have never met your family, but I kept up with the trials of this tragedy - and it a tragedy, through Tela and Jim.
Her loss to your family will leave a lost link in the family chain. But with love, togetherness and time, the chain will be linked together again.
From recent experience, take time with your grief - and there is no timetable for grief either. Don't let anyone tell you you should get 'over it' in 4 months, 6 months....and it is an individual timetable.
In due time, the good memories will play like a memorex tape and then you will know that things are getting better, and the memorex tape of the past 4 months will start to fade.
My prayers and thoughts are with you all, Shirley

SweetAnnee said...

Iva dear, my heart aches for you!! Many prayers sent your way.
May the peace of Christ be with you.
Deena

Unknown said...

stunned silence and sadness at learning the news ... i sit unable to conjure words to express my sorrow at your family's loss. as my student last year and briefly this past year, brianna was a brilliantly shining star who made teaching rewarding. brianna had a wonderful combination of intellectual curiosity, a positive attitude that was always accompanied by a smile and laughter, and she was always respectful and kind to everyone. i am a better person having known her and i am confident that anyone who was blessed to know her feels likewise. i regret being out of town for the services, but i will be thinking of brianna and will continue praying for comfort for your family.

moebob24 said...

Although I only talked with Brianna a few times I was happy to know that there was someone else at Monte Vista that had a passion for street art like I do. You and your family will be in my prayers as well as Brianna. God bless.

nature lover said...

Dear Iva and family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you today.

Sam I Am said...

holding you in my thoughts, prayers and heart today.. all of you..
love you iva..
and miss hearing your laughter..

swooze said...

I am very sorry for your loss.

Rachael Kinnison said...

Iva~ this song by Brad Paisley comes to mind~ I wish you much strength, and peace today~ love Rachael
When I get where I'm going
on the far side of the sky.
The first thing that I'm gonna do
Is spread my wings and fly.

I'm gonna land beside a lion,
and run my fingers through his mane.
Or I might find out what it's like
To ride a drop of rain

(Chorus:)
Yeah when I get where I'm going,
there'll be only happy tears.
I will shed the sins and struggles,
I have carried all these years.
And I'll leave my heart wide open,
I will love and have no fear.
Yeah when I get where I'm going,
Don't cry for me down here.......

Laura said...

First, let me say you don't know me, but yet, you do know me as I've lost a child and fighting for my 15 year old Grandson's life as I write this. Any two women that have lost children know each other in a way, in the heart, that no two other people will ever know. The people that left comments on here are VERY sensitive people knowing that they DON'T KNOW! Although I lost my light in 1987, the pain rises from my heart when I read something like this..it will never leave forever, nor do I want it to..it's a reminder of how much I loved my Bubba. At 3 years old, how could you not? People told me over and over how lucky I was to have other children...they just do NOT understand. Although you love them with everything you have,they are NOT the missing part of your heart. I understand, however.
I could write volumes more, but I will go and leave you with a wish of peace. I know what you'll face in the day to day part of living and I wish you love and forgiveness in that. You'll be in my prayers.

Jean said...

I am so very sorry for your loss. I had a Brianna too.She passed as a baby. My heart goes out to you and your family as I feel your pain. I am a mom of 3.
Your Brianna was beautiful! Everything a parent could want and more. To express her love for her parents as she did along with her smarts (MIT) and creative art making. What more could a parent ask for. She was beautiful inside and out It is evident by her photos. You were truy blessed to have her. I pray for God to comfort you and your family. I am so sorry. Once more I ask God why ?