Leonore Draper: My Friend, My Brightlight.
Want to Save This Recipe, Boo?
I'll email this recipe to you, so you can come back to it later!
On Friday night, I hosted my first Grandbaby Cakes branded event “A Charitable Confection”. It was a great success. Over 400 people attended and supported this event raising funds for Project Orange Tree, a teen organization dedicated to educating the community about structural violence. So much fun was had. I can’t tell you how many people came to me and told me they couldn’t wait for the next one. Around 10 pm the fantastic event ended, and I went home on a high I felt was impossible to come down from.
LIFE ALTERING EVENT
Around 1 am, that smile ceased and hasn’t come back. My dear friend and A Charitable Confection committee member Leonore Draper was shot and killed sitting in her car in front of her home. It was a stray bullet in a senseless drive-by that took her life from so many. Leonore was on the fundraising committee and helped to bring in incredible silent auction items for us to raise funds for Project Orange Tree. She was not just this but a best friend that I knew for almost 15 years. We met our freshman year in college but by junior year, we were very close. I met her husband the same day she met him, and picked out her wedding dress.
I was a bridesmaid in her wedding. She helped me pick my wedding dress as well and even planned my bachelorette party.
FRIENDS ‘TIL THE END
We supported each other through everything. She was such a go-getter and had so much more to live for. From getting her MBA last year to beginning to pursue her dreams of being a makeup artist, she was going after it all, all while continuing to work full-time and being the most loving wife to my friend Jason Draper. Last week, we talked about how we were getting together to hang out and all the fun things she had planned for this summer. I complimented her on how her makeup skills had become so amazing.
LEONORE DRAPER: MY NEW ANGEL
Leonore was not just some nameless victim; she was family to so many people that I can never let this rest. The devastation and pain I feel sometimes doesn’t feel real. What I know is this: This past weekend was the hardest of my life but I am a fighter. Leonore was definitely a fighter, which is why we were friends for so long. So while the concept “pain into power” is insanely difficult to comprehend right now, that’s the only thing I am focused on. I will fight for Leonore and so many others losing their lives. I’ve got purpose; I’ve got a team; I’ve got my armor on; and I’ve got Lee as my angel! Let’s go!
We hosted a candle light vigil in Chicago in honor of Leonore in the very place she was shot on Friday, May 2 at 10 pm, her home 11601 S. Laflin. Everyone wore orange and brought an orange candle as we stood together against the gun violence that continues to take precious lives from this great city.
pinterest 
facebook 
twitter 
email
I am so sorry to hear about your friend. That is such tragic news. My thoughts are so with.
Jocelyn 🙁 I am so incredibly sorry about the senseless loss of your friend. My prayers and thoughts are with you and her family *hugs* <3
OMG Jocelyn, I came here expecting to read about your wonderful event and then came the shocking news that your dear friend was so senselessly taken away. I’m so very sorry. From what you’ve written, Lenore sounds like an incredible woman and looking at her photos and that big beautiful smile, its devastating to know that she’s no longer here. My love and support goes out to you!
My heart is broken for you Jocelyn. ((hugs)) to you, and my thoughts are with Leonore and her family.
Thank you so much Dorothy!