"By the time I was born, Honey was in recovery. I grew up watching my mom as the center of her community.
She was a sought-after speaker at anniversaries and opened her home to those with nowhere to go during the holidays. She threw the best parties. Everyone wanted to be around Honey.
She was generous, funny, kind, vivacious, and absolutely stunning. People gravitated toward her. She ran a home daycare business and shaped the lives of many of the children she cared for. Beyond her support of those in recovery – her impact on people, in general, was larger than life.
Fast forward to the mid-2000s: After a divorce, Honey fell victim to the opioid epidemic. It started like it did for so many – a prescription for Oxy, then a higher dose, then the downward spiral. Alcohol crept back in, and eventually crack.
During those years, I was Honey’s primary support. I drove through rough neighborhoods and pulled her off the streets. My husband stood by my side through it all, never questioning why I kept trying.
Addiction doesn’t just affect one person – it ripples out and pulls everyone in.
We lost Honey in 2017 to a fentanyl overdose. Her absence is felt deeply by my sister and me, her grandchildren, her siblings (she was one of 11!) and all those whose lives she touched in big and small ways.
Honey ran her marathon for a long time. And for much of it, she won. Her years in recovery shaped me, gave me the best years of my life, and made me who I am today.
I'm running the NYC Marathon for Partnership to End Addiction to honor Honey's memory and support others. Every donation helps Partnership to End Addiction provide resources, support, and hope to families like ours."
– Jessica, Runner, Partnership to End Addiction’s 2025 NYC Marathon Team
