Remembering Tessa

I didn't know Tessa very well, but from reading about her and other posts, it's clear that doesn't matter- she impacted everyone she met and was a true shining light in everybody's life. We went to Hopkins together, but I got to know her after we graduated when I joined the board of the 24 Foundatio

Like so many others, I can attest to Tessa’s genuine kindness, graceful tenacity, and vibrant joy. We were roommates a while ago, and I will remember Tessa for her remarkable character. Tessa was hospitable—generous not just with her space but also  with her time. Between her work, running, church,

I knew Tessa after a few friends shared her glamour post with me back in 2017. We both went to Hopkins but only met a year after graduation when we were both working in DC. Even before we've met, I felt an instant connection because of the same age that we were both diagnosed at and how we both want

Tessa and I crossed paths as young professionals at AILA in our early twenties. Our bond was instant—fueled by our mutual love of running, navigating life as recent graduates, and the serendipity of being born just three days apart (yay Virgos!). Together, we worked on the Immigration Justice campai

I was lucky enough to live with Tessa for about a year in DC, a recipient of her kindness and joy and humor and immense love for her family.  Tessa was the person who invited you in and made you feel right at home, fully able to be yourself. I was always impacted by the way she lived for others and

I met Tessa through a running group in DC in Spring 2021. It was either the first or second run when she looked at me and said some version of: I think you and I should be friends. It reminded me of kindergartners, in a way, the bluntness of the friendship offer. I said ok, yes! We started running

I met Tessa two years ago when she spent a few days at my daughter Janet's beach house with Ali and Neal. I only knew her for a short time, but she left an impression on me that I will never forget. When she left, I told Ali and Neal, and the rest of my family that she was such an extraordinary you

Tessa and I worked together at the American Immigration Lawyers Association and the Immigration Justice Campaign. She was a spectacular colleague and dedicated advocate to people in immigraton detention. Tessa emanated warmth and enthusiasm, rose to any challenge, and had a beautiful way of encour

I first met Tessa as she volunteered with the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation (CCF). Despite her own difficulties navigating treatments, she gave so much of herself to this community. As a volunteer, she offered personal support to those who requested help from a mentor. Tessa wanted to make another's

One of my first impressions of Tessa, as well as my most vivid memory, was an evening in freshman year, Tessa greeted me with a smile after a run in the humid summer air of Baltimore. I praised her for her commitment for workout after a long day of class, and she shrugged, "nah just 3 miles". She lo

I can't recall most of the people I sat next to during my classes at Johns Hopkins, but I do vividly remember Tessa. Tessa and I sat next to each other in Professor Steven David's Future of Israel course. For one of our final assignments, we had to debate an assigned topic in front of the entire cla

I knew Tessa from her time working at AILA. I thought at the time that she had an ethereal quality: beautiful both inside and out. When she spoke with someone, she gave them her undivided attention. I was so happy for her when she shared that she was leaving AILA to attend law school. Yet another wa

This was one of the songs that the live band played and sang on the Georgetown waterfront, serenading you and me, during our one-on-one sushi picnic when we celebrated both of our birthdays, together, that was so fitting about God’s steadfast and never-ending love, goodness, kindness, and friendship

I was so lucky to have known Tessa for a few years when I lived in Washington, DC. I admired Tessa's ability to bring people from various parts of her life together - whether you were a new friend like me, a friend from college, Tampa, or family - just to name a few. As a result, I was introduced

My name is Nancy Parker and I am the Director of Attorney Recruitment at the law firm where Tessa was set to begin her summer internship. My interactions with Tessa were always bright; you could hear her smile through the phone. You could read her enthusiasm in her emails. I absolutely loved every

I am truly heartbroken to learn about the devastating news of my beautiful, kind-hearted, lovely, nice, good-natured, and beloved friend, Tessa Wiseman. Tessa is a gift from God. I have always been inspired by Tessa. I believe Tessa is a perfect role model and spreads her love and joy. She was loved

I got a pleasure of being Tessa's nurse when she was hospitalized in Houston. She inspired me with her positivity, smile, and gratitude. She had bad days, but she didn't make it about herself. She would always ask me how I was doing and how's my day going. She's always made me feel important. I just

Tessa was one of my colleagues at the Immigration Justice Campaign, and it was such a joy to work with her. Her kindness, optimism, and grace shone out in everything she did, along with her intelligence, humor, patience and thoughtfulness. I feel lucky to have known her and worked with her. My deep

https://www.dropbox.com/s/t8yb5frknxd42lm/Video.MOV?dl=0

I met Tessa by accident in my early days in DC, to never run into her again. Until one day, three years later, randomly at lunch. After that we started to become friends and the more I got to know her, the better of a person I became. One of my favorite memories of her will be when we went to Lincol

Tessa was the kindest, sweetest, beautiful and caring person I knew. Her presence radiated the room. I had the pleasure of knowing Tessa through our high school years and graduating with her. There wasn't a day I would see that she wasn't smiling. Nothing could bring her down! She was so smart and d

“Now at last they were beginning Chapter One of the Great Story which no one on earth has read: which goes on for ever: in which every chapter is better than the one before.” -C.S. Lewis … Dearest Tessa, Today would have been your 29th birthday on earth—less than three weeks from your very first

I am thankful to have shared the middle and high school chapters with Tessa. Her radiant personality, kind heart, and bright outlook all shined bright in her life. It was also a joy being on the same school trip together traveling the UK. I admired her love for others and how quickly she befriended

I met Tessa when I was staff at Hopkins, shortly after she was diagnosed with cancer. She came, along with family, into my office to discuss her diagnosis and support for finishing school while in treatment. She really did have a way of making every person who she crossed paths with feel valued an

I didn't know Tessa. I am a former colleague of Tessa's brother Trent, here at St. Anne's Belfield in Charlottesville, Virginia. Another colleague emailed their brother Todd's heartfelt obituary to our faculty and I am left completely gutted, and inspired simultaneously. I wanted to let Trent, Todd

Chuck and I grew up with Robin at Hollywood Christian a long time ago. Chuck and I live outside of Houston Texas. We received word that Tessa and the family were in Houston. We had the privilege and honor of meeting Tessa unfortunately only for about six weeks, but she she made such an impression on

Tessa was a dear friend who approached life with grace, kindness, jokes, and passion. I loved her curiosity, empathy, humor, and drive. She really inspired me and helped me through difficult times. She and I met in Spanish class day 1 of Hopkins and i was nervous. Tessa's warmth and friendliness imm

I had the true blessing to meet Tessa through her work at the American Immigration Lawyers Association. Her energy, enthusiasm, and passion shone through every day. Her ability to bring people together was unparalleled. I will think of her often and strive to continue to work on a cause that was so

Tessa was my RA when I was a freshman at Johns Hopkins. Relating to my own personal trials and tribulations, I wound up being hospitalized at Union Memorial Hospital. One of the first things I did when I regained access to my cellphone was text Tessa and her first question to me was if I was alright