12 June 2019 Dear Anna, My sweet, sweet friend.
By PuraVida Guru | | Message to Anna
I miss you. It’s been 442 days- and still, not a day passes that I don’t think about you. Some days, I honor you by remembering you through prayer or journaling. Other days, I share your story with others. Often, I reach out to Kevin. Sometimes, I bring flowers to your grave and sit and talk to you for an hour. It all still makes me cry like a baby.
I went on a trip to Kauai in May. Kevin told me that Kauai was a special place for you all. Your grandparents lived on the island until you were 12. And, in those years you would visit them at least once a year. I brought your ashes back to the island, to help you see this very special place once again.
There was something special about the island. Pura Vida was everywhere. You were everywhere. I saw you in everything and in everyone. There were a lot of blonde hair, blue-eyed kids in Kauai. But I never saw them. I saw you. It was painful. But, at the same time, it was incredibly beautiful. I’ve never experienced something so bittersweet in my life.
I’ve always wanted a daughter when I’m ready to have kids. But, after this trip, I’ve realized how badly I want one. When the day comes, I’m going to name her Anna. She’ll be named after the most warm, kind, and LOVING soul I have ever met.
I LOVE you, Anna. You may have been with me every day for 442 days, but you’re not going anywhere. So, brace yourself. Because, you’ll be with me until the day we meet again- in the Kingdom of Heaven.
All My LOVE,
Drew




My dearest, silliest Anna,
By PuraVida Guru | | Message to Anna
Do you remember that time we went for a bike ride around San Marino in the summer of our sophomore year of high school? After riding for hours, and laughing at your experience doing a summer program at UCLA, we turned the corner of some small street off of Huntington, and we saw a young boy cutting his front lawn with pair of kitchen scissors. We both stopped biking and just watched for a little bit before you asked him, "do you need any help?" and the boy turned around and so honestly responded, "no thanks, my mom is making me cut the grass to learn a lesson." We both kind of nodded and kept biking, but when we went around the bend of the street, out of sight, we just started busting a gut. I remember when we got home, we were both still in absolute stitches. I have never laughed so hard with you in my entire life. I think about that every time I bike to school. I'm so grateful to be able to have made that memory with you. I miss you so much Anna.

Knitting Mini Sweaters
By Clarke Grayson | | Message to Anna
The other day I was cleaning my room at school and I found the spool of yarn I used to knit my mini sweater. Anna, do you remember when you Mariko, and I took knitting classes at Abuelita’s? We were so excited because we found these patterns for miniature sweaters, but didn’t even know how to knit! So, we signed ourselves up for those ridiculously priced classes and were on our way. After classes ended on Tuesdays(?), we made the short, but amusing walk down to South Pas. I still remember looking at our teacher with huge eyes because I couldn't figure out how she casted on so quickly. To this day, I still can’t cast on the way she did. Afterward, we loved our post-class Buster’s. The three of us would just sit and talk about the frustration of working with tiny needles and thin yarn. I remember dropping those double-pointed needles constantly. I miss our little knitting parties and I wish we had many so many more sweaters. Love you always.
Fred’s Last Conversation
By PuraVida Guru | | Message to Anna
Making the Leap
By PuraVida Guru | | Message to Anna
Truly an Angel
By PuraVida Guru | | Message to Anna
Lloret de Mar
By PuraVida Guru | | Message to Anna
Time With Miryam
By PuraVida Guru | | Message to Anna
Improved Road Conditions
By PuraVida Guru | | Message to Anna
Improving The Road
By PuraVida Guru | | Message to Anna
5 Years Later… – Mari
By PuraVida Guru | | Message to Anna
No Pude Creerlo – Jose Ramon
By PuraVida Guru | | Message to Anna
Hola soy José Ramón o como me decía Anna JR, me dijeron que diga unas palabras y esta es la única forma por que no puedo en persona.
Conocí a Anna y a Ado aquí en República Dominicana y nos hicimos muy pero muy amigos, fue tan grande la amistad que Adonis y Anna regresan en una segunda ocasión para celebrar mi cumpleaños, eso fue grandioso.
Cuando me enteré del accidente... no lo creía hasta le escribí esperando aunque sea una respuesta y ahí me di cuenta que era verdad, el mismo día del accidente Anna me dejó unos mensajes de voz. Diciendo que me extraña, que quería verme y que quería hacer una empresa conmigo en fin… Anna era una excelente persona, ella era muy buena con las personas y siempre quería ayudarlas. Ella era muy importante para mi y para mi novia Carla.
Le mando un gran abrazo a sus padres por su dolor pero le doy también las gracias por haber creado una persona tan maravillosa, esto es para ti Anna, siempre te recordaremos .
Hello, My name is Jose Ramon or like Anna used to call me JR. I was asked to say some words and this is the only way I can do it since I cannot say it in person.
I met Anna and Ado in Dominican Republic and we became fast friends, really good friends, our friendship was so big that they decided to come back a second time for my birthday, it was awesome.
When I found out about the accident… I could not believe it, but I kept texting her and calling her and I kept waiting for an answer, that is when i realized it was true, that same day of the accident, Anna left me some voice-messages, saying she missed me, that she wanted to see me and also that she wanted to create some sort of business with me, anyway… she was an excellent person, she was always nice to people and always try to help people. She was so important to me and my girlfriend Carla.
I send a big hug to her parents for their pain but also I wanted to thank them for creating such a wonderful person, this is for you Anna, we will ALWAYS remember you.
Burning Man – 2018
By PuraVida Guru | | Message to Anna
A trip to Burning Man was on our daddy/daughter bucket list.
So, armed with the big posters of Anna and Amanda, I set out to experience Burning Man 2018.
The playa.
The whiteouts.
The temple.
The people.
The stories.
The tears.
The laughs.
Oh Dios Mio!
Anna showed up in such a big huge magical way (which I'll post under mystical connections). It was so so healing. Muchas Gracias mi hija.
Burning Man 2019 anyone?
First Introduction – Donna Marie
By PuraVida Guru | | Message to Anna
Dear Kevin, Just a note to say I think of you often and wonder how you're doing. I know times are probably still difficult. But I also know that when friends share their memories of Anna that you can feel her presence. When I think of the two of you, the day that comes to mind, was the first time you introduced her to me. I was standing in the Agape line, the two of you walked up she was holding your fingers ... when you said "this is Anna", she looked up at you with big eyes and a big smile and you exchanged a big smile at her. I could see the love the two of you had for one another. I could also see how proud the two of you were of each another. That's my picture that comes to mind when I think of you. Take care ... xoxo, Donna Marie.
It's amazing how two people can be "close yet far apart", at the same time ... through Facebook. When I first read of Anna's passing, which I think was just a day or two afterward, I was without words. I absolutely didn't know what to say -- "My deepest sympathy and sincere condolences", seemed so small. I visited your page almost daily, looking for the words ... but they didn't come. It's very important to me that you know that when the tragedy happened, you were in my heart everyday. Lunch would be nice.
By the way when you introduced Anna to me, I think you told me her middle name ...
Donna Marie Via Email
Truly a miracle
By PuraVida Guru | | Message to Anna
Yes, it is still difficult and hard to believe that mi hija, my incredible daughter, has passed. There have many many moments of grace and I'm thankful for the various mystical/spiritual paths I have taken to prepare me to communicate with her even after she passed.
I'll be honest and say that I always thought I was here to transform her -- after all I am the Dad!!!
However, as probably most others noticed, Anna was the one that transformed me. She allowed me to step into becoming a person that I didn't even know was possible. To feel the grief I feel means that I also feel the love that I feel.
None of these experiences would be possible without the miracle that is Anna.
Anna was (and truly still is) a miracle for me...and I believe for many others.
5 Minutes With You – Aunt Jill
By PuraVida Guru | | Message to Anna
Hi Anna,
You’ve been in heaven for 4 months as of today.
I know, you no longer have a sense of time...but for those still here, we miss your physical presence.
To have 5 minutes with you....
With your departure, you ignited in me the courage to live without limits; you set that bar for how you lived, thank you.
I love you,
Aunt Jill
Jillian Phelan Via Facebook
The Big Island
By PuraVida Guru | | Message to Anna
For Anna Banana – Lizzie
By PuraVida Guru | | Message to Anna
Infinite Space – Nick
By PuraVida Guru | | Message to Anna
Meditation Retreat
By PuraVida Guru | | Message to Anna
- Imagine your challenge.
- Imagine someone who has mastered that same challenge.
- If you can imagine it in another it has at least a germ inside you.
- Use prayer and focus to make that germination grow and expand.
- Pray Meditate Contemplate Be.
- I feel I’m making progress on my journey. Thx for all those sending support.
Coming Out of Her Shell
By PuraVida Guru | | Message to Anna
Congratulations
By PuraVida Guru | | Message to Anna
Huge Impact
By PuraVida Guru | | Message to Anna
Dear Mr. Wilson,
Thank you for your email. I am so saddened to learn of Anna's passing and I want to wish you and Anna's family my sincerest condolences in this difficult time. Unfortunately, I share with you the recent pain of loss. The winter quarter (the quarter Anna was my student) I had to cancel our second class because the father of my children (21 & 18) was fatally shot and his funeral was the day of our second class. The students of Soc127, including Anna, were extremely considerate and patient with me as I struggled through teaching so close to such a significant loss.
I did not have the privilege of getting to know Anna personally, however, I definitely remember and noticed her presence in my classroom. In fact, I was drawn to her face many times during lecture. In a sea of students who sadly spent class time to check their Facebook, instant message and complete online shopping, Anna was so attentive during my lecture that she stood out. I found myself making eye-contact with her throughout lecture and wondering what she thought of the material. She was a quiet student and always sat in the back of the class; I can not remember if she spoke up and shared with the entire class during the 10 weeks. However, I put students into small groups to work and as I walked around the class I could see that she engaged with her peers and had much to say about the topics we discussed. You mentioned that you read a draft of her final paper. I thought you may like to read her final submission; she earned a 92%. It is attached to this email. If I recall any additional thoughts or interactions I will share them with you.
I am pleased to hear that Anna and Amanda will be awarded posthumous degrees. I am not participating in commencement this year, however, I have already sent and will continue to send love and light to Anna and Amanda. I will also keep you in my thoughts and I send you strength as you begin the journey of processing your grief and loss. I wish I had words to make it better, but I know all too well that there is nothing to lessen the pain. I do not know your faith or belief systems so I do not wish to offend, but I want to share that I believe the father of my children is still with us.
He is not here in body as we want him to so desperately be, but he is present in the endless amount of butterflies, hummingbirds, or the mysterious coins that show up in my path every day. It gives me comfort to notice these signs of his presence in my life and I share it with you as perhaps a source of comfort; that Anna- your purpose- is watching over you now.
Peace and be well. <3
UCSD Professor, Heidi Schneider Via Email
Forever Grateful
By PuraVida Guru | | Message to Anna
College Graduation Ceremony (Video)*
By PuraVida Guru | | Message to Anna
Congratulations
By PuraVida Guru | | Message to Anna
College Graduation
By PuraVida Guru | | Message to Anna
They did it!!!
By PuraVida Guru | | Message to Anna
You Did It! – Madeline Haff
By PuraVida Guru | | Message to Anna
Beautiful Butterflies – Katie Rueda
By PuraVida Guru | | Message to Anna
Graduation Announcement From Warren College, UCSD
By PuraVida Guru | | Message to Anna
Congratulations Anna Marie Wilson and Amanda Nicole Korbas
We are so proud to let their fellow students, family and loved ones know that UCSD has decided to award posthumous degrees to these hard working and inspiring young women.
More formally for Anna:…
The Regents of the
University of California
on the Nomination of the Faculty
of Warren College
have conferred upon
Anna Marie Wilson
the Degree of Bachelor of Science
with a Major in Pharmacological Chemistry
with all the Rights and Privileges thereto pertaining
given at San Diego
this Twenty-Fourth Day of March in the Year
Two Thousand and Eighteen.
More formally for Amanda:
The Regents of the
University of California
on the Nomination of the Faculty
of Warren College
have conferred upon
Amanda Nicole Korbas
the Degree of Bachelor of Science
with a Major in International Business
with all the Rights and Privileges thereto pertaining
given at San Diego
this Twenty-Fourth Day of March in the Year
Two Thousand and Eighteen.
On June 16, during the graduation ceremony for the class of 2018 at RIMAC field, UCSD and Warren College will do something special when the names of Anna and Amanda are called. Please cheer them on.
There will be a small ceremony to honor the hard work, intelligence, and joy that Anna and Amanda brought.
All friends and loved ones are welcome to join us.
- When: 5pm, Friday June 8th
- Where: At the top of Warren Mall at the foot of the Snake Path. This is the same place as the candlelight vigil on April 2nd.
After the ceremony, there will be a dinner and dancing at place for those who want to join.
On Saturday morning, some of Anna’s ashes will be spread from her surfboard near her favorite La Jolla beach. All are welcome too.
Congratulations Radiant Ones! Job well done!
Get-Togethers More to Come
By PuraVida Guru | | Message to Anna
My Sister Never Forgotten
By PuraVida Guru | | Message to Anna
W(h)ine Fridays
By Clarke Grayson | | Message to Anna
Another Visit to Rocky Point
By PuraVida Guru | | Message to Anna
“The Shit I’m Going to Manifest”
By PuraVida Guru | | Message to Anna
Westridge Spyglass Centerfold Article
By PuraVida Guru | | Message to Anna
Reeling Mind – Marc Belisle
By PuraVida Guru | | Message to Anna | 1 Comment
Your Legacy
By PuraVida Guru | | Message to Anna
Without Words
By PuraVida Guru | | Message to Anna
The Strength of a Father/Daughter Bond
By PuraVida Guru | | Message to Anna
Anna’s Beauty – Annie Dawson Video*
By Annie Dawson | | Message to Anna
Every night, when I can, I've been taking a photo, or for tonight a video, of the sunset for Anna. I've been calling them Anna's Beauty. I see her every night through these. I hope you all can join me tonight with this short clip. 😊💜
https://www.facebook.com/a.dawson.b/videos/1523197554473547/
Seeing You In My Dreams – Eric Liu
By PuraVida Guru | | Message to Anna
“Because That is Just Who She Was” – David Dalton
By PuraVida Guru | | Message to Anna
A Prayer for Solace – Art Andrare
By PuraVida Guru | | Message to Anna
Bringing Adventure, Bringing You – Madeline Haff
By PuraVida Guru | | Message to Anna | 1 Comment
Jesse McCartney Concert – Micaela Martinez
By PuraVida Guru | | Message to Anna
ABC 7 News Article
By PuraVida Guru | | Message to Anna
Rest Easy – Geet Samra
By PuraVida Guru | | Message to Anna
A Vibrant Jewel
By PuraVida Guru | | Message to Anna
Keeping You In Our Thoughts – Gemma and Mike
By PuraVida Guru | | Message to Anna
Heartache – Mark Dauberman
By PuraVida Guru | | Message to Anna
The Search For Meaning – Fru Michalchik
By PuraVida Guru | | Message to Anna
Sweet Child – Alexa Raad
By PuraVida Guru | | Message to Anna
Filled With Sorrow – Mila Caulderon
By PuraVida Guru | | Message to Anna
A Mother’s Remembrance – Laurie Mead
By PuraVida Guru | | Message to Anna
- Attend Anna’s service
- Cry for the sorrow life brings
- Hold the hand of someone you love
- Remember Anna with laugher
- Vaya con Dios.