Tessa Marie Horan was born at home in Santa Fe, New Mexico, on the first day of spring, March 20, 1981. Her parents are Kristena Prater and Kevin Horan. Her birth was attended by her father, her godparents Peggy and Doug McDowell, and her namesake Marie Ouhrabka.
She died on February 1,2006 on the island of Va’vau in the Kingdom of Tonga.
She was attacked by a tiger shark while swimming in the ocean and died within a few minutes.
Tessa was honored in the Buddhist tradition and cremated in Santa Fe, surrounded by not only the people who attended her birth but all who had come to embrace her strong loving vitality.
The logo on the home page is a tattoo worn by Tessa’s mother and siblings. The Japanese character was inspired by Tessa’s brother Xavier. He picked the symbol, which means “strength,” after a car accident in 1999 which left him a paraplegic. Tessa and Xavier were eighteen months apart. This year Tessa would have been 25; Xavier is now 24. Tessa's remaining siblings are Nicole, 33, Devin, 20, and Jazie, the youngest, 17. The McDowell children, Kaitlyn and Patrick, were like siblings to Tessa. The entire extended family is grateful for the wonderful life they shared with Tessa while she was alive.
Tessa's godparents Doug and Peggy McDowell were extremely close with Tessa and, in fact, she lived on their property before leaving for the Peace Corps. Tessa and Peggy had an unusally close bond that was beyond any friendship either of them had ever experienced.
Tessa grew up between Aspen, Colorado, and Santa Fe. Her connection with the outdoors began with family skiing, water sports and then school team sports. She was an avid soccer player throughout her life and was playing the game just shortly before going in the ocean where she met her death. She was on the Ski Team, active in swimming, and eventually became part of the Santa Fe ski patrol. River rafting and kayaking were passions, as well. Tessa was known as one of the best female river rafting guides in New Mexico. She became a NOLS Instructor (National Outdoor Leadership School) in 2003.
Kalu, her dog, is pictured on this page as he was a significant companion in her life. They shared the same interest for the outdoors. Tessa was a loyal master to Kalu.
Tessa Marie Horan made a huge impact on her family, her extended family and the friend she made thoughout the world. She is greatly missed but never forgotten.
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Devin, Nicole, Xavier and Jazie
Aspen, Christmas 2004
McDowell Family
Tessa's going away party for Peace Corps Family and Marcie Hess
Kalu
Tessa and Dog Kalu
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