Natasha Crista Jackson Garrett

Natasha Crista Jackson Garrett was born on October 27, 1977, in Los Angeles, California to Carlos and Herlinda Jackson. She passed away on January 22, 2012, at the age of 34.'So much of me and who I am exists because I knew you, a handprint on my heart...'From her birth, and to this day, the family and friends learned from Natasha, to smile, to laugh through anything, to love and approach each other and demonstrate love and compassion.Natasha grew up with her brothers, Adrian Carlos, and Nicholas, along with her parents, Carlos and Herlinda Quintero Jackson, in Alhambra, California.She attended St. Benedict School in Montebello, and graduated from Ramona Convent Secondary School in Alhambra.She moved to Davis, California, to attend the University of California at Davis. She made Sacramento, California, her home until January 2012.Natasha participated in community sports, loved camping and traveling with family and began her interests in photography, artistic crafts, computer science and social networking.She used all these skills in her career in the area of technical consultation in health agencies. She shared a caniness for finding the best buys in travel and online shopping, often volunteering to put together itineraries for family and friends.From high school to her present life, Natasha's interests and heart went into these and she excelled, developing a passion for ancestry and family linkage, along with culinary arts.Compassion, warmth and inspiration were graces she showered on many, and we all are better for having her in our lives. She had a tender heart for the seniors, children and an angelic reverence for the elders in her family.Natasha also enjoyed various entertainment genres. She daily walked her dog, Raisin, along the American River, and frequented online social networking, teaching others how to social network. This included helping family and friends out of their computer and onlines glitches.Her other passion was caring for three turtles and two tortoises, Riley and Saladito.More than anything else, Natasha showered her love and devotion, along with her fabulous sense of humor, onto her family, friends, her fiance, Dan, and her pets.She loved being with her family and friends, connecting and re-connecting close and distant relatives. This is her legacy: come together, spend long hours together, laugh and stay in touch.She lived her earthly life doing so.Natasha was a joy to be with, and she let you know that you were important in her life.Because she loved us, you and we are 'defying gravity.' We know that there is nothing that will hold her spirit, her love, or devotion from us. We will continue to have her here in our lives.Natasha's courage, strength and love shine on in her choice to give the ultimate gift so that others may live. She inspires us allGod has raised your soul to soar, Mijita. You have inspired us all.A viewing service will begin at 5:30pm on Thursday, February 2, 2012, at First Friends Church of Whittier, 13203 Philadelphia Street, Whittier, California. A Vigil Service will begin at 7pm that same evening also at First Friends. Viewing will conclude at 9:30pm.A Mass for Christian Burial will be held on Friday, February 3, 2012, at 9:30 am at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church, 7215 South Newlin Avenue, Whittier, California,, 90602. Interment will follow the funeral service at Resurrection Cemetery, 966 N. Potrero Grande Drive, Montebello, California.