Ohio State synchronized swimmer Jessica Catherine Beck died suddenly Sept. 15, 2005 from natural causes. Beck, 21, was a native of Richmond, Va., and would have been competing in her final year as a senior for the Buckeyes.

"Jessica was a ray of sunshine in our lives," Linda Lichter-Witter, OSU head coach, said. "In her short 21 years, she gave and received more love from her family, boyfriend, teammates and coaches than most people experience in their lifetime."

Beck began her career as a Buckeye in 2003 and made an immediate impact, helping the squad go 33-1 en route to a national championship title. During her freshman campaign, Beck and her teammates scored multiple Top 3 finishes, including a first-place finish at the OSU College Association Meet.

In her second year at Ohio State, Beck was a member of a Buckeye 'B' team that placed second at the North Regional Championships, third at the OSU College Association Meet and fourth at the Collegiate National Championships.

As a junior, Beck was a member of the first-place trio routine at the Maize and Blue Invitational and second-place trio performance at the Walsh Invitational. Most importantly, she played an integral role in helping the OSU 'B' team regain the bronze medal at the U.S. Collegiate National Championships with her flawless execution of the vertical team lift.

Beck also excelled in the classroom, garnering Academic All-America accolades for three-consecutive years. Majoring in communications, Beck was a two-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree, three-time OSU Scholar-Athlete award winner and was named to the Dean's List.

"Jessica's spirit continues to live on in each of us, guiding us daily to do the things in the classroom and the pool that would make her proud to be a Buckeye," Holly Vargo-Brown, assistant coach, said. Her gifts of friendship, respect and compassion, which we feel she gave to us individually, will remain with us forever. We are truly blessed to have known and loved her."

In loving memory and admiration of the many ways she touched the lives of her Ohio State family, the team's pre-meet traditionally closed circle will forever be held open to allow a place for Beck.

Beck is survived by her parents, Joyce and Jeff Beck and her two brothers, Jeffrey and Jonathon. Beck enjoyed shopping and listening to music and had planned to work and live in New York City after graduation.

In Memory of Jessica Beck
Messages of comfort and support in response to the loss of synchronized swimmer Jessica Beck.

Please e-mail your message to brown.1087@osu.edu where it will be reviewed and then added to the bottom of this page.

I can't believe it's been a month since we lost Jessica. My heart is still broken and always will be. I loved Jessica and always will cherish her memory. I was lucky to have been her coach for so long, but am even more grateful that she was my friend. I'm thankful I got to work with her one last time in August. We had a blast, until some kids wouldn't stop jumping off the diving board! She had worked so hard and only wanted to make her family, teammates and coaches proud. Jessica loved her family, she loved Brian-her true soulmate, she loved her roommates and OSU teammates, her coaches Linda, Holly & Anne Marie, she loved her Freeman classmates and she loved her Dolpholina sisters. We are dedicating our season to her and will work to find ways to honor her memory forever. To her OSU teammates who I've come to love, please know that I am always here for you and will never forget. And I'm praying for you each day. As Jessica's friends said so well, "Jessica is always loved, never forgotten and truly divine". And as Jennifer says "the only thing that gives me hope, is knowing I'll see you again someday". Visit Jessica's webpage at www.jessicabeck.net. While it was hard to look at the pictures at first, I'm finding the strength to look once in a while and find much joy in seeing how happy she was as OSU. And that lift...there's nothing better!
Carole Mitchell
Dolpholinas

I just wanted to express, on behalf of myself and University of Michigan Synchro, our condolences on the loss of Jessica Beck. Our hearts are broken for you and you will be in our thoughts throughout the season.
Sincerely,
Becky, Steph and UM Synchro

I hear such sorrow in Ashley's voice when she calls home.... relaying stories, memories and trying to make sense of loosing Jess. This was going to be the best year yet... so many of the girls in the same apartment building and an eye towards graduation. I looked back at Ashley's pictures and there is Jess... bright eyes and big smile. Ashley made a point of telling me that Jess and her mom knew how they felt about each other - that they loved each other. What a great lesson for all of us to not leave things unsaid. My heart goes out to the Beck family....my thoughts and prayers are with you.
Carrie Rule

Jess was the light in her family's and boyfriend's eyes, and she brought so much joy and love to all of us that knew her. The shock of this tragedy has been felt by thousands of people, and the legacy of her life will always be with us. My family is so devastated by the passing of Jessica, and we will always be there for her family in whatever way they need us. Her mom was her biggest fan and supporter, and I know Joyce gets solace in knowing that Jess got to live out her dream of being a buckeye and a national champion. Here is a quote to remember during the difficult time: "Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal."

My thoughts and prayers go out to the Beck family and Brian during this sad time.
Love,
Stacey Jackson

We are deeply saddened by the sudden loss of sweet Jessica. Our love and heartfelt prayers go out to her loving family, coaches, and friends. We hold so many happy memories of joining together at the swim meets to cheer on all of our girls. It will be a big hole in the circle.
All our love,
Newbill family

Even though I only knew Jess for the short time of one year we were on the team together, her smile and wonderful personality was one that I could never forget. I feel blessed that I was able to know such an amazing person, even if not for very long. My sincere thoughts and prayers are with Jessica's family, boyfriend and friends as they cope with this tremendous loss. To her Buckeye Family: Linda, Holly and the girls - you all have my deepest love and support as a Buckeye, and a friend. May the wonderful memories you have of Jess give you strength in this difficult time. I know that the joy Jessica brought to everyone around her will live on in the hearts of many.
Love,
Kris Moyer

Jessica was such an inspiration to each and every life she touched. Her long time sunshine will be upon us, her spirit never forgotten. Jessica's love that surrounded us is eternal, the pure light within her is guiding her way on. The legacy of the circle will be our strength. May God bless Jessica's family and all who read this, our prayers will continue to be with you.
Chris and Don Schmidt

I already knew the summer of 2003 was special, I just didn't realize how special. During competition season of Jessica's freshman year at OSU, the Beck family generously and graciously invited the entire blizzard stranded synchronized swimmers to stay at their home in Virginia. For 2 snowy days, the girls were pampered and "mommed" by Joyce and Jessica. That same summer, 2003, I was able to host Jessica and her OSU teammates for US Opens in Washington. How fortunate I was to get to know these amazing young women. With early help from Lindsey Newbill's mom, and help for the entire 2 weeks from Heather Burdick's mom, we tried to mimic Joyce and Jessica in the pampering and "momming" categories. The girls were amazingly delightful. They swam beautifully, powerfully, and happily under the coaching of OSU graduate Beth Kramer. Wow! They came in 3rd, just behind the Aquamaids "A" team and one of the Canadian Nat'l teams. It was a terrific swim for Jessica. Jessica was such a gift; a joy to have in my home. She thrilled at visiting the set for the movie "Ten Things I Hate About You". Every time Mount Rainier was in view she would sigh and say, "My Mom would love to see that". A magic summer. I'm so thankful I was a part of it. I bonded and fell in love with those hard working athletes. Jessica, I am honored to have known and loved you.
Very, very respectfully,
Colleen Jolibois Doherty

I'm so grateful that I had the opportunity to know Jess. It's her joy that I will always remember. It sprang from her. When she smiled, it wasn't just her with her mouth. It came from her soul and poured out through her eyes. Nobody could be sad or blue when around her. Her smile will stay in my heart forever. My thoughts and prayers will remain with her family and friends who are in such pain.
With Love,
Mary Burdick

Our family is so saddened by the news of Jessica's death. I can't even imagine the pain her family is feeling. What I remember most is what a joyful spirit she had. And the pride in her mother's eyes when she talked about her. I always looked forward to seeing her fly so high off the lifts in the team event, hearing Joyce yell "Go Jess!" At 21, Jessica was just beginning her life. But in such a short time she had touched so many lives. And she will continue to live in the hearts of all that knew her forever!
Sincerely,
Barbara Marsh

Although we did not know Jessica, she was part of our family. To Jeff and his family and to all that loved her, we send our sincere sympathy. From what we have read about her she sounds like she was a wonderful, caring, loving person. We only regret that we never met her.
With love and prayers,
Aunt Florence and Family

With Thanksgiving around the corner, my heart goes out to all of the girls at Ohio State, Brian, and the Becks. I know that I speak for the entire Dolpholina family when I say that we have truly been devastated by the loss of our dear teammate and friend. Growing up Jessica was a one of those girls that you could look up to and depend on as a natural leader. She always had a smile on her face, and she had a special gift for rubbing her zealous personality off on others. We are all so fortunate to still be able to feel Jessica's presence in the world. A sincere smile, a warm hug, kind gestures: these are all the essences of who she was. This Thanksgiving I will be sure to give thanks for the time I had as a teammate of Jessica's and for the bits and pieces of her that have rubbed off on us all. The joy I feel because of knowing her far outweighs the pain of letting her go, and for this reason I will withold no thanks for the life of Jessica Beck.
Sincerly,
Rebecca Johnson
UAB synchronized Swimming

Our winter training is coming to an end and all I can think about is, in past years, Jess would be headed home to you just about now. My heart is so heavy imagining you pain. Please know that every day I try to help these girls accomplish things that would make Jessica proud to be a Buckeye. We all miss her so much and are committed to keeping her beautiful memory alive. Thank you so much for the pictures. Through them, she smiles at me daily, keeping her alive in my heart. I wish you peace this Christmas.
Love to you all,
Holly Vargo Brown