I just learned last night that my friend, Marissa, suddenly passed away about two days ago. Talking to our mutual friend, Margarita, she just felt dizzy one day and collapsed.
Marissa was one of the funniest people I knew back in Chicago, and she always had a joke to tell. She always humorously put our friend Erick into place, and I remember when she got hit on by some drunk dude, and uninterested by his persistent advances, Marissa chewed him out. I remember when our group of friends would head into the city from our respective suburban homes to hang out, dance, or just go bar-hopping. She loved going to gay bars in Boystown or dancing at Debonair Social Club in Lincoln Park. I remember when Obama got inaugurated, Marissa and the Aurora crew came over to my house to watch it on TV, she slipped on some ice, and we then got drunk off Smirnoff (don’t worry, Margarita was the designated driver).
Marissa was super creative, a great poet and writer, and when we all parted ways a few years later, she moved to San Francisco to become an art therapist. Even today, we would occasionally talk once in awhile over Facebook or Instagram, giving the obligatory “Happy Birthday” or “How’ve you been?” to friends who’ve moved so far away but still made an impact in your life.
I’m in shock, and I can’t believe you’re gone so soon. You will be so missed, Marissa.
