“No beauty shines brighter than that of a good heart.”

That is who she was, an amazing heart that shined in all of our lives. She was someone who you could trust, who you could laugh with, and someone you could learn from.

My sister taught me to be a kind person, to think about other people and their feelings, by being someone who was always there for me, someone who could understand and being considerate. She taught me how to be a strong woman and to always fight for what you believed in, by the way she lived her life. She rallied for women’s rights and was never apologetic for being up spoken and for what was right. She taught me the importance of showing up for the people you love, by always being there for us.

At every birthday, starting with the morning calls, to every talent show, recital, family fight, sports games, graduations, weddings, … you could always count on her to be there. She taught us to be goofy whether it was her great French cook impersonation or the great funk face while she tore up the dance floor or just the simple jokes and funny nicknames, she knew how to laugh. Ate’s pretty much been the most amazing teacher long before she started it as a profession. She was my role model and it’s not fair or right to have lost her this young.

It eases my heart to know she’s still with us all in the laughs, the love, hikes, in the kitchen, when we’re traveling, and we’re tasting great or new foods. She’s still guiding our lives.

-Micaela Martinez, Franky’s sister