Jude Rockwell Marler died due to complications during birth on April 28, 2012.  He was almost 10 pounds of the most beautiful boy we ever saw…we had been calling him “our buddy” ever since we found out that he was a boy.  And that day was the worst day of our lives.  He left two stunned parents (Rachel almost died as well and spent many months recovering physically), a big sister who was 12 at the time, grandparents waiting to dote on him, aunts, uncles, and countless friends who were hoping to celebrate.  Instead we left the hospital empty handed.  Put the car seat away in a closet.  And wondered “WHY”.  No parent should have to bury their child.  But we did.  So we had to deal with that.  We spent many months in counseling and fully working through the grief process (which never ends) but coming from a faith-filled background, we had to look for a greater purpose…how can we make anything good at all come from our pain?  

Through a series of connections, conversations, and the passage of time, we have found a way to use our tragedy to perpetuate the legacy of our son via the Jude Rockwell Academy, located near our family in Lucknow, India.  At this school, children from nearby villages are able to receive an education that they otherwise would not have without us.  Without Jude.  Without you.

We will always have pain and a hole in our hearts but we are glad to be able to extend Jude’s influence through the Jude Rockwell Academy. Jude’s story will continue…

Literally, from the bottom of our hearts, we thank you for your participation and involvement.

Zack & Rachel Marler