Fregenet means "fruit of haven" in Amharic.

Born on March 17, 1974, Fregenet Tafesse (”Leeza” to her friends & families) is the beloved daughter of Tafesse Woubshet and Melesech Gebbre. Her name means fruit of heaven in Amharic and aptly describes her life, her impact on her friends and family.

Fregenet means “fruit of heaven” in Amharic

A good natured and sensible young woman, Fregenet is known by her warm smile, generosity, compassion, humility and courage.

She grew up in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia and studied for two years in Literature and Languages Studies at Addis Ababa University.

In 1999, she came to United States to complete her education. After attending Minneapolis Community and Technical College, she continued her studies at Metropolitan State University

She worked hard and was determined to achieve her academic goals. There were times she despaired, that she didn’t believe in herself. But she persevered each time with fresh optimism.

She earned an accounting degree and planned to work for non-profit organizations.

Her greatest dream was someday to help the children of her native country of Ethiopia.

Two months after her graduation, in July 2003, she was stricken down in a car accident in Minneapolis.

Gifts like her, granted to us from heaven, come few and far between. Do not let her go without deep contemplation on what you have learned from her.

– excerpts from a friend’s eulogy