Jessica Marie Gurskis Hess, 43, of San Ramon, California, passed away surrounded by love and light. A vibrant spirit who lived life to the fullest, Jessica leaves behind a legacy of adventure, elegance, and heartfelt connections.

She is survived by her loving husband, Thomas (Tom) Hess, and their two beloved sons, Harrison (5) and Hudson (3). Jessica is the daughter of John Gurskis, MD, and Gloria Mahilum Espina Gurskis (1946-2005). She is the sister of Don Gurskis and Maritess Ynclino (1964-2008). Jo Ann, Tom Hess Sr., Arlene Gurskis, and Joy Penaflorida Gurskis were also an integral part of her life and family.

Born on October 5, 1981, in Chicago, Jessica's life was one of bold pursuits and creative passion. She spent her childhood in Sacramento, Los Angeles, and Fountain Valley, California, nurturing an early love for performance, which led her to work at Disneyland portraying Mulan—a role she embodied with grace and spirit.

Jessica was naturally musical, studying both clarinet and piano. Jessica could have been a singer and almost joined a band in college. Instead, she finished her engineering degree and channeled her music into her life, her children, and karaoke.

Jessica earned her degree in Mechanical Engineering from UC Irvine, a testament to her brilliant mind and tenacious drive. Her professional path was dynamic: from her start at 944 Magazine in Redondo Beach to playing a key role in launching its San Francisco edition. She later brought her creativity to marketing and product manager roles at Conceptus, Bayer, 3D Systems, Clairity, and Carl Zeiss.

It was during this journey that she met the love of her life, Tom Hess. The two were engaged at the iconic Grace Cathedral in 2017 and married in 2018 in Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta on the Amalfi Coast in Positano, Italy. Their shared love for travel and adventure took them across the globe—from Japan to Morocco, the Philippines to Mexico City, the French Riviera to Lithuania—collecting memories, meals, and recipes from every corner of the world.

Jessica was not only a woman of intellect and ambition but also a woman of impeccable style. Her flair for fashion was legendary, and she delighted in sharing her wardrobe wisdom with friends and family. She had the heart of a Disney princess, the soul of a world traveler, and the energy of a race car driver. Whether snowboarding in the mountains, planning an unforgettable event, or camping under the stars, Jessica did everything with unmatched joy, detail, and determination.

She was connected to her mother’s Filipino heritage and had a special gift for bringing people together—through food, fashion, laughter, and love. Her contributions to causes like Hack Cancer and her passion for uplifting others through connection and celebration are lasting parts of her legacy.

A message from her father

“ From the day I delivered Jessica at the hospital, I thought that I could always protect her. As a physician, when she was diagnosed with cancer, I thought that I could save her. I was not capable. Gloria, her mother, and God received her in heaven 50 years too soon.”

Jessica Marie Gurskis Hess will be remembered for her fearless spirit, magnetic presence, boundless generosity, and the deep love she gave to her children, family, and friends.

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