The Lamron’ Managing Editor Alexandra Ciarcia passed away on Thursday September 21, 2017. Below are remembrances from family, friends and fellow members of The Lamron. You can also read more here.
Alex was the kind of daughter any dad would be proud of. She was smart, hardworking, beautiful both inside and outside. She was not judgmental of people...open and friendly to all. I was always so proud of how she was chasing her dream. But I think I was as equally proud of how she was a great person. That was made so clear to me by all the students and teachers who wrote and/or came up to share a story with me. I knew Alex was doing well but these stories really painted a picture of what a wonderful person she was and how well she was
doing. So thank you for sharing them.
I have an overwhelming number of memories of us doing things together. Coaching you teams, helping with science projects, going on roller coasters, the beaches, the trips, buying you stuff...talking to everyone about you and then there is your laugh. How your eyes would close when you laughed. These memories will be the roses in the middle of winter for me.
I am not sure how this will all play out. I can only pray that some good comes out this. That there is some purpose to all this...some plan that will all make sense one day. Until then, I know she is with her grandparents and they are all together with God and we...down here...have to do everything possible to laugh like Alex and
bring some joy to the world.
I love you Alex,
Dad
Dear Alex,
The very first conversation I had with your dad, was about you. That is how important you are to him and us. Even when meeting someone he didn’t know yet, he just wanted to talk about you. You were and continue to be a light in his heart that will forever glow and illuminate our life. And Chris, your brother and best friend. You gave him love, confidence and best friends friendship. Wherever you were, there he too was welcomed with open arms and laughter. You gave him such a gift by giving him your time, your understanding, your ‘being a big sister’ and
forever you are emblazoned in his heart, life and mind. And me... how brave you were to be the first to meet me. I remember planning it with your dad, how I would meet his kids – we put a lot of thought into it as we knew we would be family. We elected to do something with my horse Foxy Lady whom had been my companion for 30 years. You had never petted, brushed nor rode a horse – yet there you were... welcoming me to the family in the best way possible – by bonding while we brushed Foxy Lady – you even rode her a couple times! It moved me deeply that you were so welcoming. I remember planning your high school graduation party – everything had to be the best as you deserved the best. I wanted you to know how much you were loved and celebrated. I am humbled by the outpouring of love and support from your sisters, your Geneseo community, your best friends, and everyone you touched. Humbled and inspired to live my life even half as great as what you accomplished. I struggle deeply to make sense of your passing, I get angry at God sometimes because we and the world didn’t get nearly enough of you. The world needs women like you, to inspire other women, to make your mark in the world and show everyone what goodness and strength looks like. However, you deserved a better place than this world, and I try to be at peace knowing the joy you experience every moment. The world will have to look to the stars and heavens now, to see the inspiration and example of what strength and goodness looks like.
We miss you more than words can express. But as your dad told us all “Mourn, but then move forward and learn to live in greater joy in Alex’s honor – she would never, ever ever want anyone to be in pain because of her.” On my good days I do this... on the tough days.. well they are tough.
All my love, Madonna
P.S. I was so sad in my heart after writing you, but then I suddenly remembered the debacle
with the iTunes accounts and you and your dad were getting each other’s photos – hahahaha –
all four of us laughing so hard with tears in our eyes at the kitchen table as everyone was
scrambling to get the accounts in order hahah.
And the time we couldn’t read your dad’s writing on your birthday card – it looked like
he wrote Ciao Girl (I think it was supposed to be ‘love dad’).
Thank you for inspiring me with these happy thoughts, and thank you for the times
you’ve come in my dreams to answer my questions. Please say “hi” to Foxy Lady and my dad
for me. You are loved so much dear Alex.
“Above all else, Alexandra Ciarcia was unfailingly kind. I choose these words deliberately. Prompted by her love for the series, I watched Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince as a wholly insignificant start to remembering and honoring her. I don’t know why I chose this installment of the series, but I’m glad I did. Towards the end, Dumbledore tells Harry Potter, “Just like your mother, you’re unfailingly kind.” Although unique in everything she did, Alex’s unfailing kindness doesn’t have to be. To honor her, we should be unfailingly kind to everyone we meet. This isn’t utter selflessness or complete personal sacrifice; it’s doing what you can to make the lives of those around you better—if only for a fleeting moment. For those of us who knew Alex, it’s been a difficult week. But through the tears, I realize how lucky we are; we are among the few who got to experience this wonderful, brilliant and unfailingly kind soul. For that, I’m eternally grateful.”
“Alex is the strongest, most intelligent woman I’ve ever met. She had such a bright presence and her laugh was infectious. I’ll miss her company, her friendship and her support so much. She will always be one of my best friends and life won’t be the same without her. I have so many happy memories with her, from running around at 1:00 a.m. on a Thursday night to just laying in my bed, watching bad TV. I never got tired of hanging out with her and wish I could one last time. I miss you so much more than I could ever explain, Alex. I love you, and rest peacefully.”
“Two weeks ago, Alex called and said, “I’m at the store and I know you’re not feeling well; what can I get for you?” I asked for Dayquil. She sent me a picture to make sure it was the right one. It was not only her eye for detail, but also the way she always thought of others and made sure they were happy was what made her special. Right after I became a sister, I was a little overwhelmed one night and she noticed, then grabbed my hand and said: “You’re okay. You’re with me now.” It was her contagious laugh and her constant support, love and happiness every day of her life that I will miss more than anything. Love and Always, Alex.”
“I am always going to be grateful for having had the opportunity to meet Alex through The Lamron. Alex was a unique woman in all of the best ways possible—she was a natural leader, intelligent, had a great sense of humor and was just a genuinely nice person. During the time that I’d known Alex, I can’t remember a single moment where I heard her complain—she did everything to the best of her ability and always had a smile on her face. Regardless of the situation, you could count on Alex to share a hilarious story or comment during our meetings, and even if it wasn’t that funny, her laugh was contagious enough to make anyone laugh along with her. It’s hard to find someone like Alex, but The Lamron was lucky enough to experience her beautiful spirit, and that’s something we will always have.”
“Alex is, and always will be, one of my biggest role models. We quickly became friends when I joined Phi Lambda Chi, and immediately I followed in her footsteps—I not only took on positions in our sorority that she once held but also became a copy assistant and then Copy Editor for The Lamron, like she once was. I’ll forever admire her poise and ability to always have answers to the inane questions I would ask her. I’ll forever be wishing I had more time: more time for questions, for talking about boys and books and everything in between, more time to tell her how much I appreciate her for taking me under her wing.”
“Unfortunately, I never had the privilege of really connecting with Alex last year. It was only just these past few weeks that we really started to get to know each other. I distinctly recall thinking to myself on more than one occasion what a cool and genuine person this girl is, and how much I enjoyed her company and was looking forward to this year. While I wish it could’ve been longer, I’m grateful for the bit of time we did have. The past few days have made evident the enormous impact she had on so many here at Geneseo; may we all strive to be at least half as caring, ambitious and full of life as Alex was.”
“Since her passing, I’ve discovered that Alex Ciarcia had many accolades. She was an excellent writer, of course, but the extent of her achievements in scholarship went far beyond my knowledge.
That was Alex. Humble. Patient, easygoing, calm. In hindsight, I may never have known about her incredible academic accomplishments, because Alex never talked about herself. Instead, she spoke of her relationships, particularly those with her family. I remember sitting on The Lamron office’s shabby couch, editing late into the night, listening to Alex laugh about her younger brother or her dad, her face lighting up. It was really special, watching her speak about her family and her friends. Genuine doesn’t do her feelings toward them justice. She was so clearly filled with love, and it radiated around her during those lighthearted conversations. How lucky we were to experience moments like that. I will cherish those memories always, Alex. Thank you for sharing your love.”
“To describe Alexandra Ciarcia as someone with a heart of gold would be an understatement. The compassion and empathy she exuded was unbelievable. Whether it was consoling me over the stress of a recruitment event or attending a date party with me, Alex always put the desires of others before her own. I am honored and humbled that she selected me as her “Sammy Little,” which is a distinction I will cherish forever. Even though I only knew Alex for a year, the impact she has made on my life is one that will last forever. Alexandra, you are loved and will be missed beyond no end.”
“There are not enough words in the world that can describe how I will miss Alex. Even when she was
feeling down, she was always ready for the next adventure; letting everyone know that she was by smiling to everyone she saw on campus. We only knew each other for a year and a half, but it felt so much longer. When we found out we would be “twins” in our organizations, she let me know right away that she was the better “little” and that I would have to earn my spot as her “Sammy’s Twin.” Alex was an amazing person, offering support to me in any way she could, all while telling me to get caught up on “Game of Thrones.” It’s hard to squeeze everything about her into a paragraph, but I know that she’s smiling above us while writing a new masterpiece. Happy Travels Alex.”
“I only knew a fraction of Alex compared to many of the people that I’ve heard from and talked to, but her death has left me with an immense sense of loss all the same. Alex was a diligent, thoughtful, funny and inclusive person who filled the role of friend just as well as she did the roles of colleague, student, writer and leader; anyone who met her should reasonably feel a sense of loss after last Thursday. Alex was the type of person who would occasionally ask questions or say interesting things in the middle of a long silence. Unlike most though, Alex really wanted to know how many siblings you had and seemed actually interested when she read about the placement of a seven-ton boulder on the North side of Campus. I hope even the people that never knew her realize what a presence Geneseo has lost.”
“To my beautiful Phi Lamb Big,
I love you. I vividly remember February 13th, 2016: the day I became a part of your family, and you became a part of mine. You are the sole reason I feel at home here at Geneseo. I consider myself extremely lucky to have known you so well over these past years. Most friendships in college are gradual, and become special with time. Ours was rare. Ours was instant. And I will be forever be appreciative of that. I will reminisce all of the wonderful memories we had together. I will reminisce of your laughing smile and hilarious mannerisms. I will reminisce your hardworking nature and your ability to put your heart into everything you did. I will reminisce you.
Love & Always, Little”
“Alex, I close my eyes and see your smiling face. You had a magical aura, where you brought out the best
in others. I’ve always been in awe of it. No matter what was going on, you shined a light on the situation and made it better. You were always the happiest person in the room. Whenever I was around you, I was lucky to catch your gigantic smile and energetic spirit. When I returned to Geneseo to visit, I was nervous because I wasn’t sure exactly who I would hangout with. When I arrived, you spent the entire weekend with me, going to events and getting dinner. You never failed to show me that you cared, not only about me, but those around you, so deeply. You touched my life along with so many others. I will miss you so much, Alex. I’ll hold on to your spirit and treasure our memories together forever.”
“Alex was the true friend that people hoped to have and also wanted to be. No matter the circumstances, she was always willing to share a kind word or laugh at bad jokes. She invested herself in building meaningful relationships and brought positivity and laughter wherever she went. Alex had a unique drive and passion for what she loved. She carried herself with an integrity that was known and admired by those around her. Her character was an inspiration and she caused those around her to strive to better themselves, including me. I’ll miss you so much, Alex. Your impact on others will never be forgotten.”
“Alex, we’ll keep you in our hearts through everything we write, through every issue we make and through everything we do. Your kindness and openness is something we’ll all strive to live by. Your imagination and determination is something we’ll all strive to obtain. ”
“As a Lamron alum, I’ve never felt more grateful for the close relationships I have with past and current editorial board members than I do in this time of grief. I am lucky to have shared three years’ worth of memories, laughs and copious amounts of copy editing with Alex and her bright spirit. She was an incredibly dedicated and hardworking friend who was always down for a production night gossip session at Starbucks and chimed into conversations with the most sarcastic jokes. I believe Alex had so much more left to offer the world, and my heart hurts for this incredible loss.”
“Alex was an incredible person and I feel so lucky to have known her. Whenever she walked into a room,
she had a smile on her face and a funny story or an awkward encounter to tell to get you smiling too. She put 100 percent into everything she did and made everyone around her want to do better and be better. Alex always took the time to answer my silly questions no matter how busy she was, correct the italics I forgot to put for movie titles and always insisted that late night snacks were a good idea. Alex’s passion was contagious. I will remember her crazy laugh, the look of concentration on her face when she edited an article and her production night searches for her favorite felt-tipped pen. Alex will be so missed and though it will be hard without her, I know I always have her trusty Magic 8 ball in The Lamron office, just waiting for me to ask another silly question.”
“I didn’t know Alex for that long, but I wish I had. The first three weeks at The Lamron with her were some of the best, funniest weeks of my time at Geneseo. Alex interacted with me like we were friends for years. I will always cherish the production nights where she would tease me or how we couldn’t get through one screen test without bending over laughing at some silly thing because it was so late. I will also remember how smart and sophisticated she sounded when she was a guest speaker for my media writing class. I remember thinking how bright her future seemed to be. Alex, you will be missed by so many people, and I will always regret not knowing you for longer. Thank you for everything you have given Geneseo. You have left such an impact that will never be forgotten.”
“I always told Alex that she was my shining star protégé, for she was bright in every sense of the word. Not only was she an editor’s dream––incredibly intelligent, creative and driven––but she possessed a remarkable sense of wonder and enthusiasm for life that warmed the heart of every person she met. Any time she entered the office, I couldn’t help but feel a little happier knowing that she was there, and I know that we will all miss her smile and laugh that made even the most sleep-deprived production nights feel more bearable. I was so proud to watch her grow in the work she loved. I feel so much pain, but I take comfort in knowing that she’s somewhere beautiful now, shining her brilliant love and light over us all. Thank you for being you, Alex. I love you, always.”
“As I write this tribute to you, Alex, I keep thinking, “This isn’t right; I shouldn’t have to do this for the
beautiful 21-year-old who had so much left to accomplish.” Even though there is validity to these
thoughts, I take comfort knowing that you had accomplished so much in just 21 years. From being
president of your sorority, to being accepted into the English Honor Society, Sigma Tau Delta, and
joining its e-board, to holding an internship in the communications and marketing department, to working your way from a copy editing assistant, to copy editor and eventually following in my footsteps as I so hoped you would in becoming managing editor this year, you were truly fearless and a wonderful leader. While I wish you could’ve had the chance to publish 24 issues alongside Annie and the rest of the e-board, I know that you were able to express your creativity and demonstrate your talent through everything that you went after. In our eyes you’ve been taken far too soon, but perhaps you’ve accomplished all you had to do in your time here and now your uplifting spirit is needed elsewhere. I will cherish your brilliant writing and the time that I’ve had the privilege of spending with you over the past three years, and I hope that you’ll watch over us and keep us in line—as a good managing editor must do. I can still hear your laugh in my head, and I will take that with me going forward. I love you. I miss you. Rest in Peace, Alex.”