Jessica Tyler O’Connor, age 36, died suddenly 1/7/23 due to a drug overdose. She was our headstrong wild child; fun, loving, compassionate, intelligent, willful, independent, upbeat, frightened, and so free spirited. She struggled so valiantly on her journey to recovery. We are heartbroken and mourn the loss of sobriety that took her life. Below are her own words, written as she battled this awful disease.
“1 year, 365 days, 8,771 hours sober. September 24, 2018 I surrendered and started this journey. I was filled with fear of the unknown. All I knew was I couldn’t stay in the life I had, not wanting to go to sleep because I was going to wake up the same person. Having my daughter literally ripped from my arms because my disease came before her. Today my family doesn’t have to mourn me. My daughter cannot be ripped from my arms and she doesn’t wonder if she’ll ever see me again when she says, “bye Mommy”. I have strong women who I look up to and even stronger women that look up to me. I am a Mother, Daughter, Sister, Aunt, Cousin, and a loyal friend. I am the face of addiction. I was born into addiction and today I refuse to die in addiction. September 24th, 2018 wasn’t the only day I surrendered…EVERYDAY I surrender and that tiny tiny bit of faith that brought me to my knees, 1 year ago, has turned into a beacon of hope. I thank my higher power for giving me an army of people that are fighting this disease with me and I hope all of you know I got your back! 1 year ago I put down the shovel and stopped digging my own grave. I am the face of addiction and also a face of hope. If your struggling you are not alone. Please put down the shovel and reach for my hand. ”
Jessica is predeceased by her mother and most ardent supporter, Bonnie, who waits with open arms and an open heart. She is predeceased by her brother Daniel. She is survived by her devoted father Jack, stepmother Janet, and daughter Harper. She is also survived by her sisters Jennifer (Bob), Deb (Jeremy), Kyle (Al), her brothers Dan (Julia), Jonathan, and Billy, her nieces and nephews Madi, Anselie, Bailey, Lucy, Wesley and Brielle, a multitude of loving aunts, uncles, and cousins, and her family and friends in and out of AA and NA.
A ceremony in her memory will be held at Highland Park on February 18, 2023 at 12:00 PM. Please meet at the reservoir parking lot and follow the sign and neon green ribbons.