DESTINEE'S STORY

Destinee Alicia Parker was born September 16, 1995 in Baltimore, Maryland. 

Destinee was a sweet, charming, child who loved making others happy including animals. She had a beautiful, infectious smile that touched everyone.  She used her love for drawing to relax. She loved listening to music, especially recordings by Lil Wayne on her walkman. Her favorite color was blue. She loved to tell jokes and pull pranks. She loved watching horror movies.  She loved Port Discover and Chuck E. Cheese.  She loved her father’s home cooked meals, Nabisco Nacho Cheese Flavored Sunflower Seeds, and Cheetos Flaming Hot Cheese Curls. She was a protective older sister.  Her first trip was a week at North Bay Camp with classmates and her last trip was a family vacation to a resort in Williamsburg, Virginia and Busch Gardens. 

Destinee was a quiet, timid, and easygoing child who was exposed to abuse, neglect, violence, and once was on the path of dropping out of sixth grade prior to moving with her father, stepmother, and younger sisters.  

At 11 years old, Destinee joined her father’s household and was welcomed into a loving, nurturing, supporting, and stable environment.  She blossomed into a happy and playful teenager full of dreams.  She discovered her voice to openly express her emotions, dreams, and aspirations.   Destinee worked diligently overcoming her struggles and making up for loss time in math, reading, and writing with the assistance of her father, stepmother, sisters, and school administrators, teachers & counselors at Montebello Elementary Junior Academy. Her dreams were to attend Baltimore School for the Arts for Visual Arts and to become a veterinarian.  

Destinee Parker died on September 29, 2009 from H1N1 flu which ultimately affected her respiratory, kidney, and brain.

She had just celebrated her 14th birthday and was in the eighth grade.  We all mourned her death and family, friends, classmates, administrators, teachers, counselors, doctors & nurses reflected on the memories she left behind for each of us.  As we approach each anniversary of her passing, remember her as a child with a beautiful smile and a martyr for 2009 H1N1. She would have never imagined so much hope and optimism for her to make a recovery.  Please join us in keeping her memory and legacy alive. 

Destinee’s Legacy 

Destinee was a martyr for 2009 H1N1. Remember that life is short. Everyday live your life to the fullest and put your dreams into action.  Surround yourself with positive models and your future will be full of opportunities.  And most of all, never forget to smile.

A smile cost nothing but gives you inner strength and helps the people around you.  

Give a smile today!