Memories
Sadly, I have learned that these types of things are not comprehendible. No use in trying to understand why she is gone. It just seems hard to realize there is no rhyme or reason in life, no fate, just uncertainty. But one thing was for certain....Marrissa, man she was always smiling. I remember her at our baseball games in high school, @ the Catullo's all hanging out- just having fun...enjoying company...I can't say I was the closest with Mike or Marrissa..but they both are just a good time waiting to happen....Whether it was in Columbus on gameday, or in the high school halls training for baseball and track- her smile was always there...I'll miss it...I missed it today in the Y...Still don't understand what and why it happened...but I do understand that Marrissa, you were one of a kind...and seeing your friends yesterday strongly reinforced it. God Bless you, and keep smiling;)
much love,
God Bless your Family...
Dmarc
The following is the text from the Eulogy, Funeral Mass at St Matthias Church, at 10:00AM on 21 Dec 2007:
Father, there is proof that great minds think alike. I was a whisker away from using the poem "First Christmas in Heaven", but decided at the last minute not to use it.
Everybody has heard the saying that "everything in life happens for a reason". I'll be honest with you, I'm having a very hard time when I try to apply that saying to the tragic loss of our beloved Marissa. To be truthful, I don't think any of us here on this earth could ever be able to find the reason, because only God knows the reason.
So, I've decided I'm going to talk about things I know. Instead of trying to find a reason for Marissa's death, I'm going to tell you about what I do know about Marissa.
First, and foremost, Marissa lived her eighteen years with about as much gusto and enthusiasm that anyone possibly could. To me, she was such a beautiful girl who was always smiling with that incredibly brilliant smile, seeming to savor every little moment, brightening the lives of family and friends. She would walk into a room, and the mood would instantly change for the better. It was my priveledge and pleasure to spend alot of time with Marissa and the rest of the family at Keuka Lake, in the Finger Lakes of New York. That's where she could really let her spirit free, and show her lust for life. Marissa loved the lake, whether it was being out on the boat tubing, or sitting around a campfire telling stories about the lake witch with her eyes shining in the firelight, or piling up her plate with food...two and maybe three times because the food was so much better at the lake, and when she jumped off the dock, she didn't just jump, she seemed to attack the water! She approached every aspect of her life that way. She was a great student in high school, and a great athlete. Her goal was to be accepted at Ohio State, and she joined her beloved Buckeyes. At her Freshman orientation, she couldn't be just your run of the mill person and leave no impression. Not content with just being another face in the crowd, she climbed to the highest branch of a tree during a photo shoot of the incoming freshmen. She fell, and broke four vertebra of course. But after a visit in her hospital room by Coach Jim Tressell, she said it was more than worth it, and she would do it again, exactly the same!
The second aspect about Marissa that I know is how important friends and family were to her. She loved her friends, and you can tell from the outpouring of emotion and support in the last few days that she was loved back. I speak for both the Plakosh and Salata families when I say how deeply grateful we are for the support that everyone has shown for us during this incredibly difficult time. I know that Marissa loved her Grandma and Grandpa Plakosh (who loved to spoil and treasure her), and her Grandpa Salata. She loved her father Mike, and Debbie, very much. Her brother Michael was more than a brother to her, he was her best friend and closest companion in life. It was one of her greatest joys in life that after a couple of years of separation due to Michael being at Ohio State, that they were finally both Buckeyes. Most of all, there was Jeanne. Jeanne treasured every moment of Marissa's young life, she was her little princess. And Jeanne, I know that Marissa loved you with all her heart. Jeanne's birthday was yesterday, and it's so ironic that Marissa already had Jeanne's birthday card written out and standing on her bed-stand, almost a week ahead of time. On the card, Marissa thanked Jeanne for all that she did for her, and said that she loved her more than words can say.
So, that's what I know for sure about Marissa. Maybe it shines a little light on all the muddle and murk of the confusion of trying to explain her death. Take a moment in your own thoughts and prayers to remember Marissa's approach to life. She showed us how precious and sweet life really is. Remember how important that friends and family are. They are the rock of support that gets you through the tough times, the anchor that life revolves around. I really can't fathom how we would have made it without our strong family and great friends to lend that support.
I said at the beginning that only God knows the reason for things. I mis-spoke a little. Marissa now also knows the reason for things. She's there in heaven, with our other family and friends who were waiting for her to join them in heaven, and she is watching over us with love, and smiling that beautiful smile!
So Marissa, since you're looking down at us all right now, I say for all of us, you're beloved family and friends: Until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of his hand.
Love,
Uncle Joe
I have known Marissa for so many years now, and she was a part of the 9 best friends that we had. We all did everything together. Out of all of our friends Marissa was like our mother, she always looked after us and helped us get through all the tough times we had. She always knew exactly what to say to put a smile on my face. Marissa was not only a friend to me, she was like my sister. She is the most genuine friend anyone could ever ask for. She truly is a very special girl. She never took anything for granite and always put her family and friends before herself. There are so many memories that i have with her, i could go on for days. She is an amazing person,friend, sister, everything to me. I love her with all my heart and there isnt a minute that goes by that i dont think about her, i know she will always be with me... i love my best friend Mariska with all my heart! She is one of a kind and i will never have a more amazing friend than she was.
Love,
Meredith
Marissa was in almost all of my classes senior year and I have know her since 5th grade. I couldn't look at her without a smile followed by laughter. She would come into school every week and tell me her schedule at Handel's so I could visit her. She loved making me different sundaes. :) Since we met she would randomnly see me out at different stores and I whenever we saw eachother I would be with my mom, and we would joke about it. When I heard she broke her back and got to meet Jim Tressel, I joked with her because she was the biggest OSU fan I knew and would do anything to meet him, and here she broke her back and he visited her in the hospital, that story always makes me smile, but know she is in a better place looking down on all of us and taking care of us. We love you Marissa and will miss you more than you could imagine.
There was no one that could make me laugh like Marissa. I remember picking Marissa up everyday for softball practice with Gina for both summer ball and for highschool softball. After practice, I would bring Marissa home and she would invite me in. She would make me a salad with her famous salad dressing. I will never forget going sledriding with Mariss, playing softball with her, working with her at handels, and just driving around together laughing about silly things. She was hysterical, always making everyone laugh and making light of any situation. She was a beautiful young woman, whom I am so proud of. Marissa will always be in my heart. She was always such a great friend to me. Mr.& Mrs. Plakosh and Mike, you are all in my prayers. Love, Andy
My little sister is an amazing girl. Everyone always says that she is my female counterpart, exhibiting the same looks, mannerisms, and sense of humor. In high school, she was my best friend and confidant. We were inseparable. We drove to school together, went to the gym together, and even played football together. I taught her how to throw a spiral that rivaled most boys her age.
When I went away to college at Ohio State, it was like her best friend had moved away. She yearned to come visit me every weekend, especially on fall football Saturdays. My mom would never let her come down unless she or my dad were coming because Marissa was too young. One weekend during the fall she snuck down with one of my best friends because she missed me so much. My parents threw a fit haha. We grew apart ever so slightly as time passed. She became more involved with her high school friends, and I became more focused on school and the new friends I had made in college. Marissa always remained in the back of my mind, and I always stressed the importance of her academics so that one day we could reunite in Columbus.
We finally reunited in September of this year as she got accepted into Ohio State. We quickly renewed our friendship and became as close as we were before. The jokes that used to make both of us laugh were still just as funny, and we picked up right where we left off. That is what dictates the mark of a true best friend. I stressed the importance of establishing a strong GPA, and I was so proud of how well she did her first quarter. She worked very hard for it.
Then we were separated again, as my best friend moved away to heaven. This time the distance wasn't measurable or finite. Just as I had left her for college, Marissa has left me to go meet God. The situations are mirror images of each other. Just as she missed me when I went to OSU, I miss her as she is in heaven. I want to go visit her, but my mom says I am too young. All I can do now is work to be a good person so that one day I can be with her again, just as she worked hard to get good grades so that she could be with me in college. One day we will be together again.
Rest in peace Marissa Jeanne. I love you.
-Your Big Brother Michael
I had the honor of being Marissa'a manager at Handel's for the past two years. I'll never forget the day she came in for an interview. I knew right away I just had to hire her. Her radiant smile could be seen for miles away. She had so much energy and charisma. I looked forward to the days we worked together because she always made the store a happier place. She would often strike up a conversation with total strangers at the window. She always seemed to put a smile on everyone's face. I always admired Marissa for her beauty, courage, dedication, and, most of all, her zest for life. Last March at my baby shower, Marissa presented me with a blanket she had made for my son. He has slept with it every night since he was born. Each night as I tuck him into his favorite blankie, I will find comfort in knowing that Marissa is now an angel looking down upon us and keeping us all safe. I feel so blessed to have had Marissa in my life. Handel's will never be the same without her. From all of the Handel's crew, we love you, Marissa, and you will forever be in our hearts.
When I was a Junior at Poland Seminary High School I started to hang out with Marissa's older brother Michael. Even though he was a grade older than me, he didn't treat me any differently from the friends in his class. Michael has such a dry sense of humor that I can't get enough of; he can crack anybody up on a dime. We have a lot in common with our deep passions of Ohio State football and the Rolling Stones. More importantly, I could tell immediately how much he cared about me and my family. Michael makes countless compliments about my father's butcher shop to others and every time we had cookouts he always makes it a point to mention to our friends who's Sirlion Steaks we were eating lol. Sure enough, his love and sincerity rubbed off on his younger sister.
I knew I was going to miss Michael when he graduated and began attending Ohio State my Senior year. However, his absence became quickly relieved when Sophmore Marissa became a part of my life. She was friends with my brother Carmine (also a Sophmore) and all of us became very close. Marissa had the classic Plakosh sense of humor which never runs dry. There was never a dull moment with Marissa. Her beautiful personality lighted the room wherever we were at. You could not stop smiling each time you were around her. She made every moment of her life count and she lived every second of her eighteen years to the fullest.
The bond between Michael and Marissa as siblings couldn't have been any closer. His love for her was beyond anything we can imagine. Every inch of my love and sympathy goes to Michael, her parents and the rest of the family. God now has another beautiful angel in heaven. Rest In Peace Marissa Plakosh.
Love,
Anthony Catullo
The first time I met Marissa was my freshman year. I was in the commons of the school crying about something, i dont remember what. and there she was. she aprroached me and said are you ashley visingardi's brother and i said yes i am. and she sat down beside me talked to me for about the whole period i was in at the time. that memory of her will live on in my heart forever. because i know God had a plan for me to meet her that day. i will never forget that day for as long as i live. now marissa i will say this to, "You were a beautiful person, but you are an even more beautiful Angel. Be Happy." Love Always, Anthony Visingardi
Our family has so many fond memories of Marissa, it is hard to name just one or two. She was a daughter, sister, grand daughter, niece, and best friend to members of our family. Aunt Sharman remembers taking you and Kellee to golf lessons the summer before high school. You always had a friendly smile and a kind word, as well as a joke! Grandma Donna remembers when you and Kellee and Amanda went to visit them in Florida for spring break your freshman year in high school. She said you got off the plane, gave her a hug and said "Can I call you Grandma?" It was at that moment you stole her heart. Mine and Mr. Davis' fondest memory of you is one that typifies your zest for life, the way you immersed body and soul into all that you did. It was the powder puff football game in the fall of 2005. The junior girls played the senior girls. The prize was pride. You and your friends played that game as if it was the Super Bowl. There was no mercy for the senior girls. Mr. Davis still laughs and tells anyone who will listen how competitive and rough you and your friends were!!!! He says of all the high school football games he has officiated in his career, he has only ever had one ejection! Guess who?
All our love forever,
Jeff, Kim, Shane, Brittan, and Kellee Davis
Total Memories: 21
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