Obituary of Marilena Anna ROSSI

ROSSI, Marilena Anna January 14, 1979 – Montreal, Quebec July 11, 2013 – Calgary, Alberta After a brief illness Marilena Anna Rossi passed away on Thursday, July 11, 2013, surrounded by loving family. She is survived by her husband Jason Melnyk, parents Michael and Anna Rossi, sister Elizabeth Rossi, grandparents Berardino and Maria Rossi, and her two cats, Zazi and Mina. Marilena was born on January 14, 1979 in Montreal. Moving to Calgary at an early age, she attended Lycée Louis Pasteur international French school, followed by junior and senior high at Strathcona Tweedsmuir School. She completed a Computer Science degree at The University of Calgary and later enhanced this with an Education degree and minor in Mathematics. This led her to a career in teaching math for the Calgary Catholic School District from 2009 and on. Academic achievements were only the beginning for Marilena. Her passion for life was unmatched and her quest for knowledge continued outside of the academic world, on her own time. Her creative and artistic spirit was channeled through many mediums such as piano, dancing, cooking, painting, drawing, clay modeling, and card making. She began writing and illustrating children’s books in hopes of one day being published and hoped that her paintings would one day be sought after and recognized. She spoke five languages and put them to practical use at work and in her passion for travel. Her interest in academics and art was balanced by a healthy love of the outdoors. Skiing and hiking in the Rockies, scuba diving in tropical climes like St. Lucia and Jamaica, and most recently horseback riding, were all dear to her. She challenged herself constantly, including overcoming her fear of failure by competing in horse jumping tournaments and was rewarded by placing #1 in several events, much to her surprise but no one else’s. Despite all of her skills, talents, and accomplishments, Marilena remained truly humble. She always had time to connect with family, friends, strangers and animals; her generous nature touched many. She would listen if you wanted to talk, talk your ear off if you wanted to listen, and took pleasure in sharing genuine thoughts and feelings. Her gentle soul was flavoured with a hint of mischief and her competitiveness manifested in all activities. Her Italian nature blazed to the fore for a healthy, informed debate at any opportunity. Marilena could challenge you to challenge yourself, enriching the person you thought you were. Marilena was a truly beautiful woman with a beautiful soul. She loved her husband, family, friends, and pets unreservedly, and left her mark on all of them. The world has lost a beautiful treasure; we will miss your smiling face, easy laugh, gentle touch, and the warmth of your love for the rest of our lives. Rest well Spirit Princess, we love you and miss you beyond measure. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Luke’s Catholic Church (Corner of Northmount Drive & Northland Drive N.W.) on Wednesday, July 17, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. Condolences may be forwarded through . If friends so desire, memorial tributes in Marilena’s honour may be made directly to the MEOW Foundation of Calgary, Box 65024, RPO North Hill, Calgary, AB T2N 4T6, Telephone: 403-230-6033, . The family would like to express their gratitude to the Foothills Hospital ICU and Stroke teams. In living memory of Marilena Rossi, a tree will be planted at Big Hill Springs Park Cochrane by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Chapel of the Bells, 2720 CENTRE STREET NORTH, Telephone: 403-276-2296.