After her passing on February 19 at the age of 31, there’s a final message on Facebook from Jane ‘Nightbirde’ Marczewski that shares her thoughts on sadness and mourning. And in the perfect Nightbirde-esque way, she sums things up with eloquence and inspiration.
Take a few minutes to listen to her final words that will comfort fans and anybody who is grieving the loss of a loved one:
You’ll notice her words echo the thoughts of Pope Francis on grieving:
Reason by itself is not capable of making sense of our deepest feelings, appreciating the grief we experience and providing the answers we are looking for. At times like these, more than ever do we need the reasons of the heart, which alone can help us understand the mystery which embraces our loneliness.”
A family of faith
As family members of the late singer begin to grieve, they have opened up about her death after losing her battle with cancer.
The family shared a statement with the Daily Mail in response to Nightbirde’s death that gives us a little more insight into the woman with a big voice and an even bigger faith:
“It is with the deepest heartache that we confirm that after a four-year battle with cancer, Jane Marczewski, known to many of you as Nightbirde, passed away on February 19, 2022. We, her family, are devastated by her passing and unimaginable loss. Many remember her from America’s Got Talent, where she performed her song It’s OK and inspired millions of people around the globe with her messages of faith and never giving up. Those who knew her, enjoyed her larger-than-life personality and sense of humor. She had a witty joke for every occasion – even if the joke was on her. Her lasting legacy will be the gift of hope she gave to so many through her music and the strength she found in Jesus. We thank everyone for their messages of love and support.”
It may not come as a surprise that the songstress’ father, Mitch, and brother Andrew, are both pastors. And her father Mitch took the opportunity to share a little more about his daughter’s Christian life, far away from the stage:
“Before she became Nightbirde, she dedicated her high school years volunteering with the youth ministry at Cornerstone Church in Licking County, Ohio. She also spent many nights and weekends leading worship at Christian events throughout Ohio. It was during this time when she cultivated her love for music and ministry… When she was not writing or singing, she shared Jesus with the unparented youngsters in her neighborhood while providing them snacks after school.”
Nightbirde’s sister-in-law Katelyn Marczewski also posted some inspiring thoughts about the late-singer on social media:
‘There is a lot I do not understand. There are 1,000 questions that I do not have the answer to. But after all of this, the one thing I know for certain is that God is good. The news of Jane’s passing came to me at 4 AM on Sunday morning. It came partially as a shock and partially as the news I knew in my heart was coming soon.”
She added:
“Jane left theEarth with nothing but her hope in Jesus. Everything else – the fame, the money, the “success” – all of the things that people strive for – stayed behind, leaving the rest of us with the legacy she created.”
She also gave witness to Jane and the family’s deep faith:
Every moment of Jane’s life gave testimony to the goodness of God, and her death reflects that even more. God is glorified through her story, and her death is an opportunity to show God’s glory. She is in Heaven with Jesus Christ. And that, my friends, is very good news.”
May Jane ‘Nightbirde’ Marczewski, and all the faithful departed, RestIn Peace.
And today we celebrate...