This is the story of a beautiful soul Beverly Jean (BJ) Messina. Who was born unto Sam and Beverly Messina. She was a daughter, sister, aunt, great-aunt, and friend who was cherished and deeply loved - and by "deeply loved" I mean everyone who met her fell in love with her cheery smile that was always on her face. She would address you as "Hey beautiful!" Or "Hey Handsome" and always tried her best to make you laugh. Even in her darkest hours she always tried her best to be there and comfort you.

In her early days she loved playing softball, she was a catcher. She was in the school choir - music was her jam!  She played basketball and was quite good as she was tall, and it was easy for her to shoot 3-pointers on the outside. She made dear friendships that lasted a lifetime - so close, Jennifer her "bestie", came and spent time with her clear from Jersey days before she departed. For just a moment they were high school kids again. Even though BJ had a ventilator they still laughed and smiled and of course sang Aerosmith's 'Angel' one last time together. She also got to meet Faith, Jennifer's daughter, for the first time. Both fell in love immediately! As for her longtime boyfriend Kelly, he was also right by her side and never left her all the way to the end.

BJ loved to cook. She would be the one at midnight ordering pizza and making brownies and never gained a pound! She loved her dogs, she loved music, and she loved her family. Most weekends you could find her at a concert or watching live local bands around town and she loved hair bands most of all!!  She knew every word to every song, and every group on the planet!

As the years passed, she would encounter open heart surgery. She had such a warrior attitude about anything that came her way. As more years passed she was inflicted with primary progressive MS. Again, as she heard the news she saddled up for battle and would say "Let's do it!" With her chin held high she went to war and never once complained or asked for sympathy. As a family, each one gave so much from just getting her in her chair. Her dad Sam was the strong one doing this every day until we got a lift, feeding her, washing her hair, and combing it out, which was not an easy task with her tremors. Hand-bathing was the only option, but it gave us quality time together. We tried our best to help as she walked through her storm. Her mother, who is also named Beverly, took exceptional care as she walked with BJ. She would always take the high road and always keep BJ's spirits up with laughter and all the foods she loved. Although we tried, the disease was unstoppable. As her limbs stopped working, she would still greet you with that big magnificent smile on her face!  She never faltered nor complained ever - all the way to the end she was a soldier. We are sure she received her wings with a job well done.

Until we are all together again - Fly high sweet angel!  Fly high!  You are finally free!

Visitation will begin at 12:00 p.m. with the Funeral Mass at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, November 21, at St. Mark's Catholic Church ( Live Stream ). Inurnment will be at Mount Olivet Cemetery.

Condolences may be offered at www.passantinobros.com