Gina Francesconi Billeter

Gina Francesconi Billeter was one of those rare people whose presence could brighten a room and whose friendship could change a life. She possessed an extraordinary love of life and a warmth, charisma, and spirit that drew people to her. To know Gina was to understand just how special she was. And, when you were with her, she made you feel how special you were to her.

What made Gina remarkable went far beyond her unmistakable sparkle. Behind it was a woman of tremendous character. She lived with honesty, grace, loyalty, generosity, and love. She believed in showing up for the people who mattered to her, especially when showing up was difficult. Her actions demonstrated what friendship, commitment, and character truly mean.

Friendship was especially important to Gina. She treasured her friends deeply and gave generously of herself to the people she loved. She had a way of making people feel important, welcomed, and fortunate simply to be part of her life. The friendships she built were not casual things to Gina. They were relationships she nurtured with loyalty, laughter, honesty, and love. Many who were lucky enough to call Gina a friend would say they became better people because of her.

At the center of Gina's life was her family. She was a devoted wife to her husband, David Billeter, and a loving mother to her sons, Ben and Blake. Among the memories her family will cherish are the times Gina spent at the beach and the mountains with her boys (all three of them), the kitchen table, in the car on trips, soccer games and cross-country meets, in the back yard, watching the games on the trampoline... just enjoying places and moments that reflected her love of family and her joy in simply being together.

Gina is survived by her husband, David; her sons, Ben and Blake; her window-seat companion and running-buddy, Greyson; her mother, Linda Francesconi; and her siblings, Michael Francesconi and partner Heather Sherman; Joseph Francesconi and wife Darla; Monica Francesconi; Matthew Francesconi and wife Deborah; and Erik Francesconi and his wife Carey. She also leaves a troupe of beloved nephews, nieces and of course, scores of close friends.

Those who knew Gina will remember her laughter, her energy, her loyalty, her style and the light she brought into their lives. Those who loved her will feel her absence in ways words cannot adequately express.

Yet perhaps the finest tribute to Gina is to carry something of her forward: to love life fully, treasure our family and the friends we make family, remain fiercely loyal to the people we love, and show up for one another with grace and courage.

We will never stop missing Gina. We will also never stop being grateful for her. How fortunate we were that she shined her light on us. We are better people because she did.