Jennifer Lea Boccarossa

Jennifer Lea Boccarossa, 30, of Little Rock, died November 11, 2013, at Baptist Health Medical Center in Little Rock surrounded by family and friends. Jennifer was born on September 11, 1983, at Doctor's Hospital in Little Rock, Arkansas to Larry and Patti Boccarossa. Jennifer can best be remembered for the love of her family, especially her son, Wyatt, her beautiful voice and her love of music. Jennifer grew up in Little Rock and graduated from Mount Saint Mary Academy in 2001. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Applied Music in 2005 and her Master of Education degree in Secondary Education in 2007, both from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock (UALR). She went on to teach choir for Oak Grove High School and Maumelle High School, as well as on the college level at both Pulaski Technical College and at UALR. This past August, Jennifer began what she had always described as her dream job, becoming the Choral Director at Mount Saint Mary Academy. As an alumna of Mount, she was truly overjoyed and excited to join the faculty, staff, and students at this wonderful place that she called home. She had also recently been named the assistant artistic director for UALR's spring 2014 production of Carmina Burana, in which she would have played a major role in coordinating the efforts of five high school choirs performing with the UALR Community Chorus and Arkansas Festival Ballet. Jennifer's voice could be heard in many different venues. She sang for nearly 10 years at Second Presbyterian Church in Little Rock, where she was the alto section leader and a frequently featured soloist. She was also a frequent soloist for the UALR Community Chorus, the UALR Concert Choir, and The Weekend Theater. As most who heard her sing loved the sound of her voice, she was often requested to sing the National Anthem at UALR basketball games and Arkansas Travelers baseball games. She was also requested to sing at many graduation and wedding ceremonies. Additionally, she sang internationally in Canada, Scotland, and Italy. Jennifer is survived by her beloved son and the joy of her life, Wyatt; her parents, Larry and Patti Boccarossa; her two sisters, Ashley Boccarossa McNatt and her husband, Gabe of Little Rock; and Stephanie Boccarossa Short and her husband, James, of Jacksonville; her step-brother Stephen Boccarossa of Little Rock; her niece, Olivia Boccarossa and nephew, Austin Boccarossa, of Frisco, Texas; her uncle, Robert Richardson, of Tampa, Fla.; her uncle, Garry Boccarossa, and his wife, Lisa, of Pine Bluff; her cousins, Will and Taylor Boccarossa of Pine Bluff; and her two great-aunts, Patricia Richardson of Little Rock and Mary Ruth Richardson of Maumelle. Jennifer's personality lit up every room she entered. Full of life and full of love for everyone she met, she will be missed by so many people. She was an amazing person, whose love of music and teaching shined through in every part of her life. She will be remembered as a loyal and considerate daughter, mother, sister, teacher, and friend. She lived every day for her music, her teaching, and her family, especially her son, Wyatt. A visitation will be held for Jennifer on Thursday, November 14th from 5-6 p.m. at Holy Souls Catholic Church. A rosary will follow at 6 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be Friday, November 15th at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Jennifer Boccarossa Music Scholarship Fund at Mount Saint Mary Academy Foundation, 3224 Kavanaugh Blvd., Little Rock, Ark. 72205 or to the Jennifer Boccarossa Memorial Scholarship at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock Alumni Association, 2801 South University Avenue, Little Rock, Ark. 72204. Arrangements by Ruebel Funeral Home, www.ruebelfuneralhome.com.