Jessica A. Pereira

Jessica A Pereira of Utica, NY, born February 9, 1986 in Chile, South America passed away Monday, January 12, 2015 after giving birth to her first child, a son, Logan, at Crouse Hospital. A resident of Syracuse, from the age of 10 until her marriage to Gary in 2013, Jessica attended Syracuse public schools and was a graduate of Manlius Pebble Hill School, OCC, and SUNY Cortland. She earned a Master of Education degree and began her career as an ESL teacher at Dr. Weeks Elementary School in Syracuse. As a non-English speaker upon arriving from her native Chile, she was a compassionate hardworking teacher dedicated to helping her students achieve proficiency with their new language. With passion and diligence, in her 19 years residing in central NY, Jessica tenaciously pursued her work and interests. She enjoyed skiing, ice skating, tennis, photography, baking and her dog, Talia; she cherished being a wife to Gary, an aunt to her niece Ali, and loved her family who will miss her generous caring spirit profoundly.

Jessica is survived by her son, Logan; her husband, Gary Pereira; sister, Vanessa Stark; brother, Claudio Przepiora; parents, Carolyn Stark and John Przepiora, and niece, Alexandrea. She is also survived by many aunts, uncles, cousins, friends and family in Chile.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday, January 19, 2015 at Holy Cross Church, 4112 East Genesee St., DeWitt. Calling hours will be held on Sunday, January 18, from 2 to 4 and 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Burns-Garfield Funeral Home, 3175 East Genesee St., Syracuse.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made in memory of Jessica to the Refugee Resettlement Program at Catholic Charities.

For their heroic efforts to save the life of the new mother, the family of Jessica says "thank you from the bottom of our hearts" to the numerous nurses, doctors and staff of Crouse Hospital ICU, neonatal ICU and OBU.

For directions to the funeral home or to leave a message of condolence, please visit www.burnsgarfield.com

Date of Death: January 12, 2015