Tessa was an avid astronomer, and she even had her own telescope setup at home. There was a lunar eclipse yesterday night over the DC area, and I know she would have been outside observing—and seen something like this:

forever rsembereing all the good.  the world is constantly changing maybe we will meet again.

forever in our memories, my girl.

We met each other at a time where we both realized we deserve something more. I am greatful enough to say I have good life but you definitely made it better for some of my happiest moments were with you. I said this before and I will say it over again, your presence is like the first warm days of spring. It is tender and light on the heart. A kind of warmth people crave to have. 

I'm glad that what we have is grounded by the importance of growing to be a better version of ourselves and living our truth even if it means that we needed to grow apart. And we grew apart for a while. This is a cheesy quote but I think it captures the way we navigate our relationship, "If you love somebody, let them go, for if they return, they were always yours. If they don't, they never were."-Kahlil Gibran
And we did find our way back to each other.
Being love by you is a great privilege and there's no wondering why people are desperate for it. And when we decided to give each other another chance, it made me really belive that dreams do come true. Though the bitter side of it is that they do shatter too. I am in between grief and gratitude. But you gave me a lot to be thankful for and I'm going to carry-on. 

You know that my heart is your home and you are home in my heart as I am in yours. 
I told you that I dont need you to promise me forever. I just need you to be in my every tomorrow.
For all the tomorrows you've given me and for all the tomorrows you've chosen to spend with me, thank you. 

With utmost adoration,
Thea







I think of Tessa when I look at my plants. 

I was never very interested in house plants. I thought of them as boring at best and finicky at worst.  Plants were to inhabit the background and nothing more.

And then I stepped into Tessa's bedroom (read: hammockroom) and saw that her plants transformed her tiny room into something else entirely - something alive - a jungle paradise.

And the way Kourtni talked about Tessa's plants, how they moved to follow the light, how the vines grew, almost with purpose, across the room, almost as if the plants themselves had agency, made me see plants in a completely new way. They were not boring, but alive. They were not finicky, but needed care and nourishment like all other living things. They were not meant to be in the background, but in the foreground, engulfing the entire room, if possible.

And from then on, I became interested in starting my very own indoor garden. One day I hope my plants thrive enough to become part of our walls, windows, chairs, home, just like Tessa's plants.

Love,
Lauren



We met Tessa through my college best friend, Thea. Whenever my husband and I would go to DC, Tessa would always be welcoming and warm towards us. She would take the time to show us new places around DC. Thank you Tessa for all the kindness and love that you have shown us. We will miss you and will forever cherish our memories together.

Tessa — I hope you’re still dancing and smiling wherever you are now. 

Tessa is the best kind of person. She radiated joy, loved boundlessly, worked hard, made obstacles into adventures, always followed her moral compass, and she dreamed big, beautiful dreams. The meanest thing I think anyone could possibly say about her is that she was too kind. 

She really set the standard for what it means to be a good friend. I'll always treasure our memories, even (maybe especially) the embarrassing ones, like the time she comforted me while I ugly-cried in Starbucks when I was supposed to be working. 

Tess - I wish I could say it to your face, but thank you for everything. I'm so incredibly lucky to have been a part of your life. I hope the afterlife is full of scientific wonders, costume parties, dancing, and cute dogs for you to pet.

I had known Tessa for only a few months, but those were some great few months. I enjoyed our conversations, and getting to know her.  As with many other people, she brought great joy into my life, and I'll be forever grateful for that.

My condolences to her family and friends.

Sincerely,
Robbie Morissette

Tessa had a beautiful heart and incredible kindness about her. It’s evident she cared deeply about the people in her life - especially her sisters - and she was loved by many. It was clear from the first moment you met Tessa that she wanted to make others feel at ease - and she often went out of her way to do so. Her passion for her education and creating real impact in the world was truly inspiring. I will always appreciate her genuine kindness and be inspired by her treatment of others. Everyone she met is better for knowing her.

I was lucky enough to meet Tessa through my good friend Kourtni and see first hand one of the most incredible bonds of sisterhood and the deep love and joy shared among the Gonzalez sisters - three amazing, beautiful women.  Tessa was such a vibrant, driven, loving and spontaneous individual (and an amazing dancer too!!). Sending so much love to the Gonzalez family and my deepest condolences for this unimaginable loss. 

I had the pleasure of working with Tessa on a project in the UMD Physics Dept.  She amazed me.  She sought out our group because she thought the science was interesting, and because she could bring tools from chemistry and engineering to bear on our research.  I think she might have taught us more than we taught her.  When discussing the project, Tessa was an information sponge -- when I talked with her about the research at length, I thought I must surely be boring her, but she kept wanting more.  And she understood everything.  I felt more like I was working with a colleague rather than a student.  Working with her also was a joy because she was so incredibly nice.  I will remember her and miss her.

I met Tessa when she took my physics class at Prince George’s Community College. She was quiet and did not try to be the center of attention but it was impossible to miss her professionalism, diligence, determination, and perseverance. She went to UMD GRAD-MAP’s Winter Workshop and helped her project team members. Although my time with her was only for one semester, I am fortunate to have met her and known her. She was a wonderful person who lived life to the fullest, and touched so many lives. I will miss her. My deepest condolences to Tessa’s family, you are in my thoughts.

I was first introduced to  Tess by one of our Professors at PGCC; it was there we both hit it off; I remember her for her smile and kindness. We further enrolled in the GRADMAP program at the UMD one winter workshop, where we were teammates working together on Exo-planets. It was really great working with her, and having her company around was enlightened; one thing  I won't forget was how much she loved drinking tea; she will truly be missed. LOVE YOU GIRL........:)

Tess had an infectious smile. I first met Tess when she participated in the 2018 GRAD-MAP Winter Workshop. She was one of my mentees observing exoplanets with the telescopes at the UMD Astronomy Observatory. It was an absolute pleasure working with her. Then she was a Summer Scholar and a student on campus and a volunteer who helped at several Open Houses (public nights at the observatory). I will remember her smile.

Tessa was a member of my capstone project team at the University of Maryland. I knew her as a professional, dedicated, and highly dependable person with some of the best technical writing and characterization skills of anyone I know (characterization is the process of figuring out how successful your material is). We were having a big issue with inconsistent test data a few weeks before our final presentation, and Tessa had this big "a-ha" moment figuring out the root cause and showed all of us over Zoom. She was a big part of our team, and she will be missed.

Godspeed Tessa.

When Tessa moved to DC, she quickly became part of our crew that loved to go out dancing and we have a lot of fun memories of both planned and spontaneous nights out. Beyond our nights out though, it was such a joy to witness the relationship between the three Gonzalez sisters and an honor to be part of their DC community. Tessa’s absence will surely be felt among all of us. 

I had so much fun at the D.C. Fashion Show with Kourtni and Tessa. They of course were the most beautiful women there! Beautiful on the inside too. Very special people.

My Dearest Meghan & Kourtni,
The Heart is never ready and the time is never right to receive such a loss -- very sad not having Tessa among us.

I'll never forget the beautiful time and cherish the moments  spent together when I traveled to E. Islip and the 3 of you came over to spend holidays with the family. 

Now, all I wish for you is "May you be touched with God's gentle Peace and Love. 


I found my doppelganger one evening at the UMD Astronomy Observatory. Around the same height, and wearing the same outfit, Tessa was working with a team to track a trajectory through space.
Tess was the sweetest person and we made sure to keep in touch. As a fellow Hispanic woman in STEM, she will forever remain an inspiration and I will remember her fondly. 
May you rest in peace, angel.

Sending Kourtni, Meghan, Kristy, Edwin, Tio Baby,  Melvin, Marvin, cousins and family many prayers of love and comfort. Tessa will be missed dearly by family & friends. Remember all the beautiful memories and cherish each of them. Tessa is with her beautiful grandmother and other family members in peace. She’s a beautiful Angel in heaven. So wish we could be there with family and friends.

I got to live with Tessa (and Kourtni, and Meghan!) in DC for more than a year, and can honestly say I had never seen a tighter bond between siblings before meeting these three amazing women. Tessa always filled out house with laughter, joy, music, plants, and factoids about hard materials science that always went over my head but impressed me so much! I loved hearing her play the piano and felt so lucky to live with such a bright and talented human who brought so much life to our space.  Tessa was a bright spot in my life and undoubtedly was for many others, and she will be terribly missed. Sending so much light, love, and warmth to Kourtni, Meghan, and the rest of the family. <3 

Love, Molly

Sending all of our love and prayer to you guys! Our hearts are breaking with yours - and even though it’s been many years since we’ve seen her, Tessa’s feisty spirit and shine are forever what we will cherish and hold in our hearts!  We pray that God bring comfort to your hearts and a sweet remembrance of all of the beauty that Tessa brought into this world.  We love you all  - Julian, Christina, Madi, Cydnee and Cielo ♥️

I've known Tessa for 16-years. Although I can't remember the exact moment we met, I first met her as a meek and quiet young middle schooler.  And how in some ways she stayed that girl, she also flourished into something else entirely...

I was always welcome at the Gonzalez's. And being an only child, was welcomed by their family as another sister. Tessa, especially - which I knew by the way should we grunt "hey" towards me as I walked through the door. Meghan, her and I would spend many Friday and Saturday nights together hanging out in their room or the living room. And would later reconnect in college through the Green Tones.

Part of life is getting knocked down, but knowing how to get back up is where the beauty lies. And this exemplifies Tessa. She was never down for long. And could always find a way to turn the bad into something good. Although I didn't talk with her much over the past few years, I know she was making the most of her life. And was well on her way to bigger and better adventures. 

I will miss the quiet middle schooler turned badass woman I knew. She will always be in my heart.

Obviously a smart, beautiful, generous  soul. Incredibly sad for your loss and the loss to the world. 

Tessa, manager of the Green Tones, with the girls backstage after pre-qualifiers for the ICCA's

Tessa with me (Sara), Greg, Rudy and Amanda in the car headed to Austin for a Green Tones gig

I am deeply sorry for the loss of Tessa. She was taken away too young. I was Tessa's academic advisor at the University of Maryland. I admired her spirit, and her determination to be an engineer. I remember telling her once to let's concentrate on getting that engineering degree at a time where she was stuck...however, she had made already a plan. She took one of her last classes with me...She finished the engineering degree. My prayers are with her family and friends.

Dear Meghan and Family, 

I met Tessa briefly during a New Years Eve party at the sisters’ home in DC. She didn’t know me or my friends, but she showed us so much kindness and warmth opening up her space to us. I remember her fondly and will keep you all in my thoughts during this difficult time. 

Sincerely, 
Lisa Keshavarz

Our sincere condolences to the Gonzalez Family and friends. During this time of sorrow, may you find peace and comfort.




Sincerely,
The Department of Materials Science and Engineering
University of Maryland, College Park

Tessa worked in my lab at the University of Maryland, working on radiation damage in plastic scintillators.  I have worked with a very large number of undergraduates on research, but Tessa really stood out with her intelligence, creativity, scholarly attitude, and promise.  She initiated entirely new ways for me to study plastic scintillators, something no undergrad who has worked for me has ever done.  I learned so much from her about Raman scattering.  It was a true profound joy working with her and sharing her love of science.

We will always hold Tessa in our hearts, remembering the beautiful, talented, precious goddaughter of ours! I remember the first time I heard her play her saxophone and entertain us with her piano playing. So impressive, especially from a tiny young girl. Both instruments matching her personality -- fun loving and a deep thinker. Wish we had lived closer to get to know her as the  beautiful adult she had become.
Love,
Madonna and Joel

I always loved the joy these three sisters showed when they were together. Tessa, you always made Meghan's face light up when you came to visit us in the office.  Your light continues to shine in our memories. 

What a wonderful experience it was to have Tessa join us on a business trip to London a few years ago. I loved seeing Meghan share her work with her younger sister and the opportunity it gave them for an adventure together. This photo was outside a Michelin-star restaurant we all went to as a reward for a successful program!

Tessa was a vibrant soul. I had the pleasure of meeting her a few times and hearing countless stories from Meghan. Their sisterly bond was one to be admired. I remember Tessa as bold, kind, vibrant, and sincere. She is gone too soon but never forgotten.  I'm keeping her family in my heart as they make it through this very difficult time. 

Meghan & family,

I am incredibly sorry to hear about the loss of Tessa. Although our paths never crossed, I have no doubt that she was a caring and loving sister/daughter who was taken from the world too soon. My deepest condolences during this time.

Jared

OBITUARIO

Tessa Elizabeth Gonzalez

30 enero, 1994 – 17 mayo, 2021

Murphy Funeral Homes

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