My cousin Dominique Debora Markowicz was born July 17, 1958 in Liège, Belgium, sixty years ago today.  She was three years younger than me. On December 15, 1973, at the age of 15, Dominique very sadly passed away in a traffic accident in Brussels.  I did not know Dominique well, I met her a few times when I was young, but everyone who knew her was and remains deeply affected by her amazing lust for life.

I am quoting from a book of remembrances that was put together for her memorial service:

“The problem was her laughter… no way to stop it!  In ancient Greek class, we invented all sorts of games to try to get her to laugh in class…”

“One day, Dominique and her dad are called in to school to see her physics professor. Your daughter is too boisterous in class, he said, too loud.  Behind her dad’s back, Dominique silently puts her index finger on her lips, telling the professor to stop and remain quiet.  Her professor stopped talking and smiled…”

                                                                        Carine

“I knew Dominique since 1968 when she joined our school in the 5^th grade. I can see her in sixth grade, at a swimming competition. I can still hear her laugh when I congratulated her for helping us win that day”

“I saw her in classes occasionally as I was walking through the school. She was always active, asking questions, responding, and paying attention to her professor, to the lesson and to her friends in class”

“I can see her at school were our path crossed a million times, and each time, there was a smile. Dominique’s smile was everything. Her love of life was everything.  And this is how we will see her forever.

Marc Vandervennet
Principal
Athénée Royal de Woluwe-Saint-Lambert

« Fifteen years. Fate is so cruel, Dominique.
We miss your smile and your kindness so dearly.
In class, your seat is open, but it is taken in our hearts.”

                                               C. Meurant, Physics Professor

“One day, we came to school together.  We sat on the steps, outside. It was windy.  I like the wind, Dominique said, and then we chatted. I felt like I discovered you for the first time that day, even though we knew each other’s for years… I have loved you since that day and you will always be my best friend”

                                                          Christine

This is my yahrzeit candle to you, Dominique.  Your memory is a blessing.

 

 

Please leave a comment if you knew her or wished you had.