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Update on Marissa Monroe
Daughter of St. Joseph MI Dispatcher
A note from 911 CARES. (June 13th)
You may have been watching this story over the last 18 months. If not, here is the very quick summary. Tracy was a dispatcher in Michigan. When her daughter became very ill, she was fired by Director Andy Goldberger due to her taking all sick and FMLA time (there is more to it, but that is the summary). We fought for her but Mr. Goldberger stuck to his decision. Tracy was able to be with Marissa in NY at the hospital and has fought with her daily. Over the last 10 days Marissa got progressively worse and she was brought home to Michigan to be at peace and at home. The journal below is from Tracy and her friends. PLEASE consider sending a donation to assist with the burial of this courageous child as there are apparently no burial costs covered by Tracy's husband's insurance.
FRIDAY, JUNE 13, 2008 07:14 AM, EDT
Marissa earned her Angel wings at 5:42 am. She went very peacfully in my arms. She is already missed so dearly. Please continue the prayers for our family. - Tracy
FRIDAY, JUNE 13, 2008 09:48 PM, EDT
Our home has never felt so empty. We miss Marissa terribly and it hasn't even been one whole day. Everything reminds us of her. Makenzie spent the night with her cousins tonight, so it's really quiet around here. We're trying to keep her busy and us. Marissa struggled with breathing for about 9 days due to having disease in her lungs. She was on continuous oxygen. Two nights ago, she started to get a lot of fluid in her chest and it would pool at the back of her throat. We thought for sure that she would've passed a couple of days ago. Randy moved the comfy rocking chair into our bedroom so that Marissa and I could sit in a more upright position. I stayed in that rocking chair, holding her for about 36 hours, only getting up for about 45 minutes total. She went very peacfully this morning. When people told me that it would be peaceful, I thought that they were crazy. How could it be? We were losing our baby and to me, nothing is peaceful about that. My view is different now. It was peaceful and she didn't deserve to continue to suffer like she has for the past week. The last 18 months have been great...she's handled everything with flying colors. This was different. The cancer came back and it was back with a vengeance. It wasn't fair to Marissa to continue to fight. She fought a great fight and in the end she won. She's in Heaven... no more tubies, no more owies. Marissa went out in style....If you haven't noticed the date today...Friday the 13th. Not only the date but she passed away right as a thunder storm moved in and that's not it. It took hospice 4 hours to get here after she passed because they hit a deer on their way to our house. I think that was Marissa's way of saying that she knows that I still wanted to love on her and hold her. Randy held her for a short time and then I hogged her the rest of the time. I held her in my arms for almost 4 hours until it was time for her to go. Putting her on the gurnee was the hardest thing that we've had to do yet. Did I mention our neighbor is having a garage sale for Marissa? Yeah, I forgot about that this morning until I walked outside carrying Marissa. We love her and miss her so much, our hearts are breaking. I'll continue to update...updates mostly about the things I love about Marissa. Things that I don't want to forget. This journal has always been healing for me, so hopefully it will continue that way. Thanks for checking in and please continue the prayers.
Tracy
Marissa's visitation will be on Monday, June 16, 2008 and her funeral will be on Tuesday, June 17, 2008. Marissa's favorite color was purple, so feel free to wear purple in her honor.
Visitation: - Monday, June 16, 2008 - 2-4 pm & 6-8pm - Farrand Funeral Home
300 N. Kalamazoo Street - White Pigeon, MI 49099
Funeral - Tuesday, June 17, 2008 2pm - Church of Christ - 70428 S. Kalamazoo Street
White Pigeon, MI 49099
Donations can be made to: The Monroe family to help with burial expenses
Monroe Family Account - 103 Shirley Ave - White Pigeon, MI 49099
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