This memorial website was created in the memory of our Beloved Daughter, Adriana Helena Maria Ges who was born in Point Pleasant, New Jersey, USA on April 06, 1985 and passed away on April 19, 2005 at the age of 20 in Denver, Colorado. Adriana passed away tragically in a car crash on her way home from a night out with friends.Adriana touched the hearts of all who knew her and left her footprints wherever she walked. To know Adriana was to love her and to be loved unconditionally. She was truly an amazing person full of life, laughter, love and fun.She certainly stood out in a crowd and made her presence known. Independent, strong, intelligent, loving and caring beyond belief. In Adriana’s eyes everyone was equal, she didn't care what you did for a living. You could be homeless or rich. Adriana didn't care, she treated everyone equally.If you ever had the honor of meeting Adriana you know she wasn't shy, she'd introduce herself immediately, to everyone she met, smiling, eyes full of love. She would hug you and you'd be welcomed with open arms. She was always the life of the party. Adriana graduated from Bear Creek High School in 2003 and attended Colorado State University, University of Compultense in Madrid, Spain and Colorado University at Denver. She was wanting to double major in Communications and Political Science. She lived life to the fullest. She will be missed by so many,many friends and family. Our prayers go out to all of us that loved her.
Memorial sign at Crashsite at Monaco & 6th Avenue, Denver,Colorado. On April 27th, 2006, the City and County of Denver in partnership with Mothers Against Drunk Driving erected a sign in Adriana's honor.
In Memory of Adriana by Celene Doyle In the early morning of April 19th 2005, a beautiful life was taken here at this very corner. Adriana’s precious life was filled with travels to lands of many cultures, languages of different origins, radiant beauty, and a worldwide collection of friends and family. Adriana’s inviting personality arranged so many unique friends from not only here in Colorado, but all over the world. Today, Adriana still touches all her friends and family, for everyday we mourn her passing. Everyday sorrow is deeply suffered that we cannot see her, cannot be around her, and most of all cannot touch her. Adriana will never be forgotten.Of all the fatal car accidents in Colorado, 39% of them are alcohol related. I never thought Adriana would be among these tragic statistics. I never thought that our beautiful angel, our angel with a heart so cordial and a smile that was heaven in its own, could ever be the victim of these tragic, however, regretfully increasingly common incidents. Yet, I suppose this is how these incidents come about. People, every type of people, never think that something of this sort could ever happen to them or their loved ones. Some have even made it home safely before, possibly a couple of times before. Still, it takes one time to end the life of an angel, a mother’s angel, our child’s angel, a friend’s angel. Life is so precious! Making the decision to drink and drive is not only putting one’s own life in danger, but also jeopardizing the lives of others on the road. I pray everyday that others can understand the immense responsibility life is! I pray that those who feel the need to alter their reality, can acquire the power to re-establish and seek out life’s basic truths, but can discover the power within themselves. For death is forever…All of us here today wish that Adriana was here with us right now, and my hopes are that out of respect for Adriana, her family and friends, others who were taken from us untimely, and out or respect for life, this sign will impact the lives of others to not drink and drive for the thread of which our lives are held together is thin. Adriana and her Dziadzio together forever A Tree for Adriana by William Craig Harris
Our Free Spirit who will live in our hearts forever.
Gravesite April 2005
Jim (Dad),Adriana and Roxana (Mom) - Graduation 2003
Watch over these precious girls
Adriana Helena Ava & Angelina Victoria Maria
Adriana's Namesake-Adriana Helena
The Twins-Adriana & Angelina, Brittany visiting with Bertrand & JayAnn in Washington,DC
Christmas 2008- Angelina & Adriana
Tributes and Condolences
I didn't know Adriana.. / Pamela Campbell
I did not know Adriana at all, but I drive by the site of her tragic death every night on my way home from work, and I finally decided to look up her name to see who she was.
I'm happy to have found this site and to see the beautiful girl behind the...
Continue >>
They do not understand / Roxana (Mom)
I am so very sad and hurt.How do I get people to understand how I feel when they have no concept of that feeling of losing a child. Do they not understand that everything that is said or written about you whether good or bad, happy or sad is somethin...
Continue >>
Happy Birthday / Roxana &. Jim (Mom & Dad )
Happy Birthday Sweetheart,
You are always in our hearts. I pray that one day we will all be together.
Remembering Adriana / Roxana (Mother)
Do not stay away because it is hard to talk about Adriana. We talk about her everyday. The stories about her let us know so much more about her. Miracles have happened because of her death-as they say out of every bad thing there is always something ...
Continue >>
Angel Quote / Angelica Grover (Twinless Twin)
Make yourself familiar with the angels and behold them frequently in spirit; for without being seen, they are present with you. St. Francis De Sales
Missing you / Mike Bonnick (Family Friend )Read >>
A Mother Without You Without You Who am I? I am a Mother who longs to hear your voice saying” I love you, Mom” I want to wrap my arms around you And feel those sweet hugs and kisses.
Without you I am a Mother who goes to bed Hoping her dreams are filled with Spending time with you.
Without you I am a Mother who only gets to see your smiling face In photos hanging on the wall Twenty short years Forever young.
Without you I am a mother who wishes she could turn back time And relive those precious moments. All that’s left are the sweet memories. If I only knew.
Without you I am a Mother who will always love you Never to be forgotten. Believing that one day we’ll be reunited.
Without you I am a Mother without her child. I am an Angel Mom.
Memories from Mike I have had the privilege of knowing Roxana’s Polish family for more years than I care to admit, and to me Roxana & Bozena are the sisters that I never had.
I knew Roxana before she was married & it’s been a delight to have been introduced to Jim who I have come to respect & admire, especially in the way that he has looked after Adriana.
It’s not easy to know what to say at a time like this, but I personally want to remember Adriana as the fun loving person that I knew her to be.
Many years ago when Adriana was about 6, she and Roxana came to London for Christmas. As many of you will know the Poles & much of Europe celebrate Christmas on Christmas Eve. If any of you have been fortunate enough to have been invited to Roxana & Jim’s on Christmas Eve, you will know that the food is very special, and Roxana is a fabulous cook.
Adriana loved this part of the Polish culture. She had the best of both worlds, Polish and American food, and like me, loved to try all the different dishes. Even at the tender age of 6 I never once saw her turn her nose up at the food. Bigos and Borsch she was very accustomed to and it was all credit to Roxana that she opened Adriana’s eyes so early, to so many different foods.
It was customary after a Polish Christmas Eve dinner to sing carols. Being an amateur guitarist I was always asked to accompany the carols and I did my best to sing in Polish, much to Bozena’s amusement.
So here is Adriana at the age of 6 wishing to help me out on the guitar, and I have a wonderful photo taken at this time with Adriana holding what looks like an enormous acoustic guitar, for her size, sitting next to me strumming away. What she was playing is anyone’s guess, however she’s looking extremely relaxed in the photo and I’m sure she’d be thoroughly embarrassed to hear me relate this story.
My Mother was extremely disabled for the later part of her life and to get around she needed a wheel chair. Due to this I had a stair lift fitted in my house to enable my Mum to get up the stairs to one of the bedrooms.
So imagine a six year old seeing this lift for the first time, “Can I have a ride Uncle Mike?” was the cry, and it’s funny how well you can remember these things all those years ago. To see her cheerful face grinning, disappearing up the stairs on the stair lift is something I shall never forget.
I would have liked to have been able to spend more time with Adriana but living as I do in England 5000 miles away, that’s not been possible.
However we were very fortunate last Christmas to spend time together as a family, when Roxana, Jim & Adriana came to London.
I will always be thankful that we were able to spend this precious time together.
Adriana was a young, vibrant, intelligent & beautiful young woman who could have achieved anything in her life.
These following words were recently sent to me by a close friend & I think they are appropriate at this time.
when you were born, we rejoiced and the Creator wept for you knowing your struggles ahead.
when you died, the Creator rejoiced receiving you - and WE wept for the loss of you.
Adriana used to call me Uncle Mike though we were not in any way related. We exchanged cards at Christmas, Birthdays and Names Days and when I sent her something I would always receive a note of thanks.
I would like to read you one of these notes that she sent to me in 2003. As you will see by the sentiments, I read this NOT in praise of myself, but to show you how deeply this young lady could think of others.
Dear Uncle Mike,
I don’t even know where to start with you. All throughout my life you have been there for me, despite the thousands of miles that lay between us. You are more than a friend to my family, but a friend to me.
Thank you so much, not only for the graduation gift but for every birthday, Christmas and Namesday that you never once forgot.
As I leave this part of my life behind, I read the card that you sent me and hope to follow your advice “do in life what you want to do. Work hard and play hard”.
I miss you and the family that you have always been part of.
Always Adriana.
Isn't it strange by Stephanie Cardenas
Isn't it strange how we as people, who love one another so dearly, even if our interaction is so faint; we meet someone today, best friends tomorrow? Isn't it strange that we can think of other people as family even though we are not related by blood? How one day or night with someone can change our life, our whole view on the world totally? And what happens if a tragedy can hurt our heart so much you want to die yourself knowing that it would only hurt matters worse. Isn't it strange? And isn't it strange that people we know so well and love are actually still here today yet we can not show them for our life how much we really care and love them.? In this world I am so alone, and how can that be when in this world there is 3 million people, plus? Isn't that strange? They say the purest of heart may rest at peace.... Why does that seem strange to me? I feel like this world I have lived in for 20 years has fooled me into thinking that somewhere beyond the rainbow lies something better, and if my best friend can enjoy it why cant I? Is that strange too? Or when Brittany couldn’t cry was that strange? Or was it strange that I cried too much? Or am I telling the world to much of what I’m feeling in the result that they then might start feeling the same way.... betrayed? NO, not betrayed!!!! But joyous because I was granted to know Adriana better than most, not all but most. My Father makes wonderful Mexican feasts, our judge was Adriana. We had Dad battles because Brittany's dad was an amazing cook too. Is it strange to remember the little things? Sometimes I think I was too hard on "A", She said I was her mom away from mom. Is it so strange that I only wanted what was best for her regardless the situation? Is it strange that this bond between two people could be unbroken no matter what? But what about the other people in this life that feel that same way we do, is there enough of one person to go around??? I think so. And now that it has been a year do we still cry, I do. IS that strange? I was driving around town one day like WE usually did when I received a phone call on my cell phone. It was my mother, Janelle. She said hey, whets up? I have a story to tell you. She said I had to take grandma to the doctor today and it was near Adriana’s grave site. She said I wanted to stop by and pay her a little visit. But when I got there I couldn't remember where her grave was. So I went to the office and they told me. She said there is this song that I can't listen to to this day that reminds me so much of Adriana. “It goes something like "it's 2 a.m. and I can't breathe" I said mom I have no idea what you’re talking about but ok. She goes on to finish her story. "Well anyways I get to her site, get out and pay her a hello. When I get back into the car that song is playing on the station I have the radio on. She couldn't believe it. Is that strange? A week later she was driving on that same road again, she put it back on the station just to see what would happen and that song was playing again... Random??? Or is it strange that I went out on Halloween with an old friend of mine driving around the Denver metro area and both of us, not just me saw 6 Shooting stars in the same night??? Coincidence, probably not; strange, yes!!! It is strange. This whole situation is strange! Strange because of the way it makes me feel... Do you think it’s strange that even though I only knew Adriana for about 5 1/2 years, I would have rather it been me in that car on an early weekday morning? Or is that just strange to think about? My mind is clouded now of to many of our memories trying to escape my brain at one time. What do I do? I'm going to go to bed and put them in order starting with the best and ending with the best in a dream. Or is it a reality of my mind, but only when my eyes are closed. Strange!
Eulogy by Brittany Doyle and Casey Thompson
Eulogy by Brittany Doyle for Adriana, St. Frances Cabrini Church, April, 25, 2005 Adriana, Addy or just “A”. Whatever you call her we knew who you were talking about. The free spirited, outgoing stylish, elegant beautiful brown eyed girl. If Adriana were here with us today she would tell all of you: Live the dream, make a scene. I left with things unsaid and undone, but I lived. No one is to blame; everyone held a special space in my heart. Thank you all for our time together. I was blessed with a wonderful family who gave me independence and the World. Please take care of them for me. I was blessed with friends, each that I loved in my own way. Friends were my chosen family. Do not be upset for I have lived.
A Poem for Adriana Adriana: A friend who we turned to when our spirits needed a lift A friend we treasured for our friendship was a gift A friend, who filled our lives with beauty, joy and grace A friend who made the world a better and happier place.
A Poem from Adriana to her friends. Will you remember all the days when I was there with you, remembering my smile and laughter? Or will you forget and dwell in the lost instead, mourning for me? A portrait of my existence lies deep within your heart, cherishing the memories we once shared. Or will you decide nothing is worth keeping, losing the special dream you, my friends once held? Love will never die, love is deep inside. Friendships are forever, remember my love for you friends. I am always there, watching over you, to give inspiration and strength when you may fail in a world of fears. Will you continue to dream and breathe the wonders of life striving to be who you want to be? Dreams will never die, strength is deep inside, friends are forever. Remember my faith in you I am always there believing in you. For I believe in Angels, the kind that heaven sends. I was surrounded by Angels, but I called them friends.
Eulogy by Casey Thompson for Adriana, St. Frances Cabrini Church, April, 25, 2005 You had a smile that lit up the world. Everything you did brought joy to our lives. When you entered a room you touched everyone with your kindness, devotion, and unconditional love. You have left behind three great brothers Bertrand, Jerrin and Justin, and a sister Isabelle, that love you more than you can imagine. Even though they did not tell you enough,you were and always will be the best sister to them. They adore you. You filled our lives with sunshine and our hearts with love-even with the simplest things you did like watching Harry Potter with Tyler or Winnie the Pooh with Bozena. We will treasure those moments always. Never will your Mom or Dad forget the days, hours, minutes, or seconds they spent with you. Their unconditional love for you is something we all hope to have. You made the world a special place by being in it. You have touched our lives, souls, and hearts. There seems to be nothing we can do to lessen the pain, but we will think of all of the good times we shared with you and not the bad, because this is what you would want. We love you Adriana our sweet Angel and always will.
In memory of Adriana by Celene Doyle
Adriana by Celene Doyle
Heels clicked on the skinny pavement that led to her burial site. Sniffles and sobs still linger in the back of my head as I think back. We stood around the six feet deep hole that would finalize her life, but not give us closure. The skies had sprinkled their grief on us that day. Tears ran down my face just as the rain trickled down the sides of her coffin. Her boyfriend and seven of her closest male friends carried the coffin to the deep dark hole. The coffin was light with her spiritless body. The young men who were accustomed to the “tough guy” approach, wept and hyperventilated as they placed the casket on the metal bars that would descend her body to its final resting place. Three hundred people, that consisted of family, friends and foe, broke down and bawled to themselves as they went back to the last hour that they shared with her. For some, like myself, a guilty and disappointed sting penetrated my heart. I could not recall my most recent moment with her. Tears broke rapidly down my face. My limbs felt weak, I had no more strength to hold back my wail. All my strength was gone. I had tried to give it to her mother. At her house, her mother kissed me and squeezed me like I was her daughter. She tightly held me close to her chest with my forehead pressed against her cheek. She pulled back and starred at me. I had always shared similar features with her daughter. Her eyes were glazed with tears and I could see and almost feel her pain. At that moment, both of us wished that I was her. My blurry eyes watched her past friend, but most recent bitter enemy. The young girl's fingers were weaved and tightly clasped within each other as she vigorously prayed. I cannot say for sure what she was praying for, but I imagine that it was a prayer for forgiveness, or time travel, or maybe even both Once her family had left the cemetery, the time for her body to cascade into the earth was postponed. It started with her pall bearers. These eight young men wrapped their arms as far as they could around her casket, and rested their faces against the top. As they shed tears, they screamed and screeched her name. Everyone else then realized as well, that they were not able to leave their friend, their loved one, their angel, just yet. A crowd surrounded the casket, some squeezed it with their bodies, others placed a hand on it imagining it was her touch that they were feeling, and refused to let it go. The crowd of teenagers bellowed out her name. Shrieks of “WHY! WHY HER,” still echo in my heart. As if God was bewailing too, rain soaked the teenagers as their mothers and siblings tried to pry them away from her coffin. As they walked away, muffled on their mother's shoulders the teenagers continued to cry out, "WHY HER, WHY HER!"
Tributes and Condolences
Add to favorites 
