Mourners honored the life of the young girl who was brought to her services at The First Cathedral in Bloomfield in a princess-like horse-drawn carriage Saturday morning. [1] A princess goes home to the Prince of Peace.

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. 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. [2]

Patch video

Ana Grace is the beloved daughter of James S. Greene, Jr. and Nelba (Amaro-Márquez) Greene. Saxophonist Jimmy Greene wrote on Facebook that he was trying to “work through this nightmare. As much as she’s needed here and missed by her mother, brother and me, Ana beat us all to paradise,” he wrote. “I love you sweetie girl.” ^[3]

Ana Grace was born in Hartford on April 4, 2006 and had lived in Bloomfield. The family moved to Canada for a short time then settled in Connecticut just two months before that terrible day. Snow began to fall as two majestic white horses proceeded with a small elegant white carriage down Blue Hills Avenue. It was the appropriate vehicle for the casket of the precious, selfless, beautiful child within the flower-adorned carriage. She was talented and precocious and a blessing to her family. [4]

In as much as purple was her favorite color, mourners released one purple balloon followed by twenty-five white balloons that represented the other victims at the Sandy Hook Elementary School. During the services, they lit candles in memory of Ana’s classmates, teachers, and all of the Sandy Hook staff who perished on December 14, 2012 as well as the first responders. Facebook page Remembering Ana Márquez-Greene.

The family has established several scholarships in Ana’s memory, including The Ana Grace Márquez-Greene Music Scholarship at Western Connecticut State University’s Department of Music in Danbury, the Ana Grace Márquez-Greene Family Therapy Fund with the Klingberg Family Centers in New Britain, and another at the Artist’s Collective in Hartford, Connecticut. Family friends have established the Ana Grace Fund to support the family. Nelba is the program coordinator for the Family Therapy Institute at Klingberg.

Getty Image and El Nuevo Dia

Harry Connick Jr. wrote a song, Love Wins, dedicated to Ana Grace Márquez-Greene. Jimmy Greene played tenor saxophone in Connick’s big band for years. Connick sang at Ana Grace’s funeral and says he was inspired by a speaker at the service who said love trumps the greatest tragedies.

Patch Video of funeral procession; as her devoted, loving father said,  “I love you sweetie girl.” Dearest sweet child, others also loved you, even people who never met you. People continue to be amazed at your precociousness and wonderful musical talents and your beautiful spirit that seemed to light up a room. God bless your wonderful family with peace and give them the knowledge that they will lovingly embrace you again.

Happy 8th Birthday in Heaven Ana Márquez Greene

Ana Grace Márquez-Greene – Where Angels Play Groundbreaking Ceremony

Ana Grace’s Playground is on the East Lawn of Elizabeth Park along the Hartford-West Hartford town line. It was built by volunteers from throughout the region.

Ana Grace’s mother said, “I used to play with Ana and Isaiah right here, in this park, when they were little. We’re so incredibly grateful to this community, to embrace this here where it means so much to us.” Ana Grace’s brother, Isaiah played the piano at the ceremony. A chorus of children joined him.

Newtown dad’s album honoring daughter earns Grammy nominations

[1] Megan Bard, Ana Grace Marquez-Greene Is Brought Home to Rest, Patch, 12/21/2012; https://patch.com/connecticut/newtown/thousands-attend-services-for-ana-grace-marquez-greene; retrieved 12/12/2017

[2] Ana Grace Márquez-Greene, Obituary, http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/newstimes/obituary.aspx?pid=161841734#fbLoggedOut; retrieved 12/17/2012

[3] The Newtown Shooting Victims: Who They Were, https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/The-Newtown-Shooting-Victims-Who-They-Were-183658461.html; retrieved 12/13/2017

[4] Megan Bard, Ana Grace Marquez-Greene Is Brought Home to Rest, Patch,.12/21/2012; https://patch.com/connecticut/newtown/thousands-attend-services-for-ana-grace-marquez-greene; retrieved 12/12/2017