Marissa Ann Cruz

None Marissa Ann Cruz, age 25, died in Tacoma on April 9, 2013 from complications of pancreatitis. She was born to Stacy McDaniel Cruz in Olympia, Washington on November 18, 1987. Marissa attended schools in Olympian and Tacoma. She lived most recently at Shell’s Group Home in Tacoma. Although Marissa was challenged with autism, she led an active and loving life. She enjoyed camping, swimming, dancing and all the holidays, especially Christmas and birthdays. She had an affinity for animals and worked for the last year at Paws-ability in Fife, where dogs are trained as services animals for special needs individuals. Marissa was loved and is survived by mother, Stacy McDaniel Cruz, foster parents Dean and Mischelle McCormick, grandparent s Ellis and Margaret Von Heeder, Aunt Shannon McElwee (Sjan Edvarsson) and cousins Jessica Christensen (Nick). She is also survived by aunts Kim Vonheeder, Kelli Prader (Chris), Cherie Griffith (Doug), great aunts Barbara Ostgard and Jeanette Clark (Jim), great uncles, Larry Matson (Cheryl), David Adams, Don McDaniel (Ella) and their families as well as her foster sisters and many other relatives and friends. She was predeceased by her grandfather, Richard McDaniel and beloved great grandparents David and Ilene Adams and Harold and Edrie McDaniel. Family suggests in lieu of flowers to please make a donation in the Marissa’s memory to: Paws-ability LLC; 7338 26th St E, Fife, WA 98424, A Scholarship in memory of Marissa will be used to train service/ therapy dogs for families that could not otherwise afford this wonderful opportunity. A Celebration of Marissa’s life will be held at the First United Methodist Church 1224 Legion Way, Olympia Friday, May 3, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. Service arrangements are by Funeral Alternatives of Washington, 2830 Willamette Dr NE, Lacey, WA 98516 To leave your condolences and memories go to www.funeralalternatives.org.