In Memory of Jennifer M. Tino

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I went to Marymount University with Jen from freshman to senior year and lived with her for 4 months in London, England. Jen was a sister to me during my time at Marymount. Before our freshman year began we played soccer together. Practices were strenuous and we were all a bit homesick. Jen had a way of bringing a smile to my face and a sense of comfort that things were going to be ok. We both grew a lot at Marymount, especially during junior year when we studied abroad during our second semester. I met Jen at Newark airport before we headed to London and we flew over together. It was nice to have her with me on the flight. We talked about where we wanted to travel while oversees, our internships at Mobil Oil and how we would miss American cuisine. There were times during our travels to the office together during our internship when I would open up to Jen about a tough situation that I had in my life or at my internship. She would always listen and offer support. I am blessed to have met such an intelligent, warm, funny and strong person. I miss you Jen and am sad you had to leave us so soon. However, you are an inspiration and guide for how I live my life. Below is an Irish blessing that was recited at Jen’s Marymount university funeral. God bless.

May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

*** Posted by Kelly Dwyer on 2011-09-11 ***

My thoughts and prayers are with Jen's family as we approach the 9th anniversary.

*** Posted by Wendy on 2010-09-10 ***

Jen,

Gone but never forgotten! Our prayers and love always to you and your family. GOD BLESS AND KEEP HER ALWAYS.

Love from all the Braue's

*** Posted by Shawn Patrick Braue on 2008-09-11 ***

To the Tino family, I knew Jeff, Jennifer's brother from the Caldwell school system. I never got the pleasure to meet Jennifer. I am sure she was a wonderful person. I just want the Tino family and Jeff to know I am thinking about all of you and praying for your Dear Jennifer and your entire family, now and always. I also lost a very close friend in the World Trade Center.  His name was Daniel Van Laere. The pain is still there every day. It helps me to know that they are in God's arms for all of eternity. Love, Michelle Monarque

*** Posted by Michelle Monarque on 2008-09-11 ***

Jen was my dearest friends baby sister.  She was a shy little girl but not afraid.  She had a brillant smile.  She was very bright and more worldly than her siblings.  She carried on an athletic tradition and was filled with family pride. She will always be missed and never ever forgotten.  We think of all the Victims from our sites throughout Afghanistan and pray what we do here helps and doesn't allow it to ever happen again.  GOD BLESS YOU JEN and HAPPY SAINT PATRICK'S DAY!!

*** Posted by Shawn Patrick Braue on 2006-03-18 ***

As I reminisce, I can remember the beginning so vividly and as if it was just yesterday, but it wasn’t.  It was November 13, 1985 on a basketball court at Grover Cleveland Middle School.  We were 13 years old.  From there, we went on to play many years of soccer, basketball and softball together, side by side, until we graduated from James Caldwell High School.  It was largely because of Jen that I had such tender memories of those awkward junior high and high school years.  And, it was with Jen that I shared many of them.  We were victorious together and we were conquered together, but most important to me was that we were united together.  And I could not have chosen a more decent or inspiring human being with whom to share triumph and defeat … on or off the field.
It was a friendship that, although it would originate in adolescence, transcended time and distance.  There were moments that we were hundreds of miles apart or hadn’t spoken in weeks.  But in the instant that we were able to connect again it was as if we would just seem to pick up wherever we’d left off.  As if a hundred miles was but one and a month was no more than a day.  So many years ago we embarked on a journey in which we made one another laugh, saw one another cry and witnessed a metamorphosis of maturity from young girls to grown women.  And we were different in as many ways as we were alike.  It was a friendship of momentous endurance and one that I took great pride in.
After nearly 16 years of friendship I’m mindful that there are few moves that I can make and few breaths that I can take that are not going to remind me, in some way, of Jen.  I’ve heard it said “you don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone”, but that’s not necessarily true.  I knew what an extraordinary friend I had.  I loved Jen like a sister.  And, I loved her unconditionally.  You see we were friends.  To me that meant that, although we weren’t family by blood, we were family by choice.  To me, Jen was the embodiment of true friendship.  She was intelligent, loyal, funny, compassionate, selfless, so special, and truly one of the most unique individuals that I’ve ever had the pleasure to know.  I’ve heard it referred to as the ‘X factor’.  It's the intangible energies that come from within and radiate to fill the wide-open voids around us.  Jen had that!  Albeit she didn’t know it nor would she ever admit it; Jen just had something about her that moved people and made them want to be close to her.
I’m eternally grateful for having known Jen and even more grateful for having been a part of her life.  I was a better person for having known her.  She certainly brought out the very best in me on many occasions.  Jen’s friendship gave me the strength and courage to endure struggles that may not have been possible without her by my side.
Jen felt passion for her convictions and upheld those convictions by example and not just theory alone.  Admirable qualities that I attribute to the values taught by a family who loved her so very much.  In no uncertain terms Jen was a leader and not a follower.  Jen didn’t care about what was popular.  She cared about what was right.  If the actions of the multitude defied any element of Jens convictions she had absolutely no qualms about standing alone.  I respected and admired that and consequently she never stood alone.  In fact, at only 5’2” Jen stood taller than anyone else I have ever known.  It was that confidence and strength of character that inspired me to walk with her and not among the multitude. 
Ironically, I frequently find myself looking around my bedroom at the nostalgic collection of gifts that Jen had given me throughout the years and I’m always reminded that the most valuable gift of all was the gift of her friendship.  That was priceless.  And, although I miss her terribly and I feel that sixteen years of friendship just wasn’t long enough I’m wealthy with a treasure of beautiful memories that I’ll cherish for a lifetime.

*** Posted by Tracey Barmore on 2006-02-10 ***

Jen,
There is not a day that goes by that I do not think of you.  You were always my hero.  I will forever hold you in my heart.

love
Sheila

*** Posted by Sheila Donoghue on 2004-06-21 ***

Jen was one of my oldest and dearest friends.  She was one of my very best friends.  We had been friends for many years.  I miss her more than words can say.  It was an honor to know her and call her "friend".  She was a warm and wonderful human being.  I still think of her daily.  She will always be alive in my heart and soul.  God Bless!

*** Posted by Tracey Barmore on 2004-04-15 ***

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