Marissa attended Poland schools through the years and had touched many hearts along the way. She was a 2007 graduate of Poland Seminary High School where she amassed numerous accomplishments. Marissa worked very diligently to excel in school, as she was a member of the National Honor Society. She was also a member of the Spanish Club, a participant in Student Leadership, and a recipient of the award for Excellence in Scholarship for the years 2003-2007. In addition to Marissa’s academic accomplishments, she was a very talented athlete as she played softball, lettered in golf for three years and also achieved two letters in track her junior and senior year.
Thriving in school and in sports wasn’t enough for Marissa as she maintained two part-time jobs at Handel’s and at Fonderlac Country Club during her last two years of high school.
It was Marissa’s dream to attend The Ohio State University as she applied to the school on the first day that they began accepting applications. She was ecstatic when she received the acceptance letter confirming her admission into Buckeye Nation. Marissa successfully completed autumn quarter 2007 at The Ohio State University while carrying on her scholastic prosperity. She had aspirations of majoring in human nutrition, and despite her short time there, she managed to make many good friends. Marissa was a Buckeye through and through, and she idolized Coach Jim Tressel. Some of her finest memories took place on fall football Saturdays at Ohio Stadium.
If Marissa knew from birth that she would only have 18 years to enjoy her life, she would have behaved no differently. Marissa had no regrets as she lived everyday to the fullest. She always made the most productive and efficient use of her time. She made it a point to work out every day at the Boardman YMCA, and if the sun was shining, she was outside enjoying every ray. Marissa was privileged enough to travel extensively throughout her life, and she loved to vacation near any beach, including her Aunt and Uncle’s homes in Keuka Lake, New York, and Ft. Myers, Florida.
Above everything else, Marissa cherished the time that she had with her friends and family. She had an endearing affection for her best friends with whom she would spend countless hours joking and having fun. Marissa’s quick-witted sense of humor spared few from laughter. Even in school, Marissa lived to make people laugh, blessing everyone around her with her radiant smile that could light up a small country.
Marissa leaves behind her mother Jeanne, her brother Michael, and her father Mike. She was also beloved by her grandparents Florence and Mike Plakosh and her grandfather Joseph Salata. She will be sadly missed by her Great Aunt Mary Zivchak who was like a grandmother to her. Two special people who were an essential part of Marissa’s upbringing were Donna and Bob Simerlink who babysat Marissa and Michael from birth. Marissa had several aunts and uncles who have been an integral part of her life, including: her godparents Rick and Bonnie Salata, Joe and Martha Salata, Judy and Tim Babnich, Dr. Robert and Jody Salata, Carol and Gary Bertnick, Dean and Diana Colaianni, and Joe and Michelle Plakosh. Marissa also leaves fourteen cousins with whom she was very close. The holidays will not be the same without her.
Besides the loved ones that she leaves behind, we also remember the ones that went before her; most notably her two grandmothers Margaret and Celestine Salata. We hope that they are holding Marissa in their arms, comforting her in heaven.
