Vanessa Marie Edwards

Vanessa Marie Edwards, age 21, passed from this life on Monday, December 12, 2011 in Columbus, Ohio. She was a senior at The Ohio State University studying communications on a full academic scholarship. She was in the Scholars Program and played on the womens rugby team for two years while at OSU. Vanessa was born April 21, 1990 in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida and lived her life with passion and purpose. She graduated from Roy C. Start High School in 2008 where she was active with basketball, volleyball, track, orchestra and the National Honor Society . She was driven by intellectual pursuits in an effort to maximize her potential as a strong woman. Vanessa enjoyed all types of music, played the violin and had a beautiful singing voice which she liked to share with her family. She possessed a zeal for proper nutrition and exercise, consistently keeping herself in peak physical condition. She was a fearless competitor and always embraced a challenge, encouraging others to do the same. Vanessa will be remembered for the mental and physical tenacity with which she lived her life. She was a good person; considerate, caring and devoted to her family and friends. Her presence will be deeply missed. Left to cherish her memories are her parents, Aunt Karen and Uncle Keith Berman; brother, Michael Berman; grandmothers, Winifred Edwards-Stewart and Phyllis Berman; grandfather, Booker McQueen; great grandmother, Laura Farmer; a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends; and her dogs, Santana and Roy. The family would like to extend a special thank you to the families Darby, Johnson and Robinson for their love and support through the years. Visitation will be Friday from 4-9 p.m. in the Walker Funeral Home, 5155 W. Sylvania Ave. west of Corey Rd. where services to honor Vanessas life will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, December 17, 2011. Interment will follow at Toledo Memorial Park. Memorials may be made to a charity of the donors choice. Online condolences can be expressed at walkerfuneralhomes.com.