Vanessa Shalom "Vani" Figueroa, age 23, of Lorain, died on Friday, November 24, 2006 in the emergency room at Community Health Partners Hospital and Surgical Center - West, Lorain.
She was born on February 14, 1983 in Caguas, Puerto Rico, moving to Lorain 19 years ago from Puerto Rico.
She graduated from North Coast Christian Academy. She had also attended Valley View Computech Center, Cleveland and had studied at the ICI Bible Institute. Currently Vanessa was a sophomore at Lorain County Community College.
When Vanessa was 5 years old she was the Cleveland School District Spelling Bee Champion. She studied ballet in Puerto Rico, studied piano and art at Cleveland Art Museum and also was into gymnastics at North Olmsted Gymnastics. Vanessa enjoyed praise dances, swimming and reading in which she won many medals for singing and her praise dances. She also enjoyed participating in the Lorain International Festival in 2001 in which she was a Puerto Rican princess.
She was a member of the Tabernaculo Cristiano Church.
She is survived by her parents: Rev. David and Mildred (nee Senquiz) Figueroa, brother: Reuben William Figueroa and sister: Tabitha Nicole Figueroa Pagan, all of Lorain.
She was preceded in death by her uncle: Willie Senquiz and grandfather: Angel Senquiz.
The family will receive friends on Tuesday, November 28, 2006 from 7-9 p.m. at the Christian Tabernacle Church, 2203 Meister Road, Lorain, where services will be held on Wednesday at 9:00 a.m. Rev. David Figueroa her father and pastor, will officiate. Burial will follow in Ridge Hill Memorial Park. The Dovin Funeral Home, 2701 Elyria Avenue, Lorain, is handling the arrangements.
Contributions in her memory may be made to the Tabernaculo Cristiano Church, 2203 Meister Road, Lorain, Ohio 44053.