FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Paying tribute to a loving couple killed at their Jupiter home.
More than 500 people attended John Stevens and his wife, Michelle Mishcon’s memorial service in Fort Lauderdale Friday.
Those closest to the couple, including John’s children and Michelle’s father, shared memories of the two and highlighted their close relationship.
Others read touching love letters the couple had written to each other over the years and saved.
“Words are really so inadequate to express my love for you but I’m going to give it a try,” a letter began from Michelle. “Each night when I go to sleep, you are the last person I think of, so I fall asleep happy.”
Another person close to the family read a similar letter from John to Michelle written decades ago. “I’m just giddy thinking about what our new life together will bring… I love you so much Mich.”
Michelle’s father, Jeff Mishcon, a former Miami mayor, echoed how close the two were to each other. “They were a dream couple and truly two of God’s best children,” Mishcon said.
The grief was heavy on his face as he explained no one can truly understand his pain. He thanked the many people who showed up to show his family support.
John Stevens’ son, John Stevens IV, and his daughter, Ivy, spoke lovingly about their father and stepmother.
“He was an inspiring father and excited grandfather,” Stevens said.
Stevens cried thinking of how his father was robbed of the chance to meet his new granddaughter. He would have been meeting her in a matter of weeks at her baptism.
“He couldn’t wait to meet her. He couldn’t wait to take her on the water,” Stevens cried.
Ivy focused on how much the couple loved their friends and family.
“They lived for the weekends so they could see everybody,” Ivy said.
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Many of the people in the crowd knew Michelle and John directly. Others, like Linda Loizzo, a former Miami Police chief, wanted to show support for the family, never knowing the couple.
Loizzo has known Jeff Mishcon for many years, working together for the city.
“I feel very strong that I am suffering with him in his loss,” Loizzo said.
Todd Runnells lived next to the couple for ten years, he says. He was also just with them on Saturday, days before they were killed.
“It’s just horrific, it’s hard to sink in. It hasn’t sunk in for me,” Runnells said.
He says he spent Saturday out on the boat in Jupiter with the couple. “They loved boating, fishing and the water. That’s what they lived for.”
They took trips to the keys together and spent a lot of time in the couples so called “garage majal” where they loved to socialize with family and neighbors.
He rushed there when he heard about the attack.
“I’m just here for the family. I was over there the day after this happened. I was at the house with them. It’s just tough.”
The neighbor stabbed trying to help John and Michelle during the attack was not able to make it to the service. He is still recovering at home. Jeff Fisher’s mother and brother did attend the service to show support for the families.