Woman, 21, dies of heart ailment
By Stephanie Bertholdo bertholdo@theacorn.com

Jessica Vincent

Former Agoura High School student Jessica Renee Vincent died unexpectedly June 9.

Vincent, 21, went into a seizure and was comatose for three weeks at Los Robles Hospital, according to Freda Hamilton, a friend of the family.

"She was such a little adult," Hamilton said. "She was just a beautiful kid."

Vincent graduated from Agoura High School in 2004 and was attending Moorpark College when she fell ill.

Hamilton said Vincent had an undiagnosed heart arrhythmia.

A Girl Scout for 13 years, Vincent was known for her community work and commitment to youth-oriented causes in the Conejo Valley. She helped launch Agoura High's "Bridging the Gap" program, a highly successful program designed to forge better communication between parents and students, especially among students with alcohol, drug abuse or peer pressure issues.

"I've been friends with Jessica since elementary school," said Lauren Hamilton from New York. "We were best friends and always hung out together. She was always so nice and loving to everyone . . . the type of person who would do amazingly kind things for you and expect nothing in return."

Trina Soto, Vincent's troop leader (Windjammers, a San Fernando Valley Girl Scout troop), said Vincent was "always willing to help out. She was a great support to not only the girls but myself as well."

Even after Vincent left the Girl Scouts she came back every year to help the younger girls with projects and events, Soto said.

Vincent was born in Oil City, Pa., in Venango County by the foothills of the Allegheny Mountains.

Funeral services were held at the Knox United Methodist Church in Pennsylvania and Vincent was buried in the Knox Union Cemetery.

Vincent is survived by her parents, Robert J. Vincent and Roni O'Neil, a brother, Garth Vincent, a stepsister, Katie O'Neil, maternal grandparents Larry and Trink Benetti, paternal grandfather, Robert B. Vincent and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

"I will miss her bright smile and warm heart," Lauren Hamilton said. "There aren't many people like Jessica. She was truly one in a million. She will always be remembered and loved."

"She had the cutest little laugh," said Freda Hamilton. "I can still hear her laugh."

A memorial in Vincent's honor was conducted at the Bible Fellowship in Old Agoura on Saturday.

The family suggests memorial donations be made to the San Fernando Girl Scout Council, 9421 Winnetka Ave., Chatsworth, CA 91311, Attn: GMA committee in memory of Jessica Vincent.