Ana Grace is the beloved daughter of Jimmy Greene and Nelba Márquez-Greene and younger sister of her favorite human- Isaiah. Her life on earth was ended at Sandy Hook School on December 14, 2012 – a day forever etched in our collective conscious.

Just one glimpse of her face and you can feel the joy that radiated from within. This is how her dad, Jimmy Greene, describes his precious daughter: “Ana’s love for singing was evident before she was even able to talk. In a musical family, her gift for melody, pitch and rhythm stood out remarkably. And she never walked anywhere- her mode of transportation was dance. She danced from room to room and place to place. She danced to all the music she heard, whether in the air or in her head. Ana loved her God, loved to read the Bible and loved to sing and dance as acts of worship. We ask that you pray for the legions of people who are left behind to cherish memories of her.”

The Greene/Márquez-Greene family thanks their family, friends, volunteers and donors who allow them to do innovative, life changing work in memory of their daughter through The Ana Grace Project.

In their view, the best way to honor those lost is to respect the wishes of those left behind to mourn them. To ensure the memory of how they lived reaches as broadly as how they died. While many organizations were formed after the shooting, not all have been approved by families. And NONE represent or support all families. We invite you to learn more about family approved memorial efforts by Sandy Hook families, and take the time to learn about these loved ones individually at: www.mysandyhookfamily.org.

Efforts in Ana’s name include but aren’t limited to:

  • scores of mental health and community strengthening conferences and professional development gatherings

  • scholarships to high school students, bereaved mothers and young people for educational opportunities/special experiences

  • regular and consistent donations to initiatives that support: music and the arts ( like establishing an instrument repair fun for young learners) and our partner schools (fundraising nearly $100,000 for diverse titles for our library)

  • regular and consistent donations to programs that affirm human dignity like LGBTQ prom and the Fade and Braid Fund at the CREC Ana Grace Academy

In addition to The Ana Grace Project, Ana Grace is honored through the Ana Grace Márquez-Greene scholarship at Western Connecticut State University where her father, Dr. Jimmy Greene- is professor of music and co-coordinator of the Jazz studies program. You can learn more about that effort or contact Jimmy directly at the website link provided above.

As her family, we have done and continue to do A LOT to preserve Ana’s legacy. This pales in comparison to what this world would have seen from her had she been allowed to live. To see the amazing work of the CREC Ana Grace Academy, the school that holds her name that we work ardently to support, click here: agaaems.crecschools.org and agms.crecschools.org.

We have now been at the about 14 years. There is no way we would still be here without you. Your prayers, your donations, your love? Essential. Thank you from all of us.

Love Wins,

Nelba Márquez-Greene, LMFT

@thisgrievinglife on Instagram