Marianne Romsek said she feels the garden "embodies the spirit of Marissa." (Credit: WJBK | myFOXDetroit.com)
LAKE ORION, Mich. (WJBK) -
"Here it says, 'You have left my life, but you will never leave my heart.' I think that's a great thing for the Romseks. This is some place that they can really go to be with Marissa here in spirit," said Brandon Moore.
The Romseks say that's what they need to try to move forward. Marissa Romsek would be 19 in just a few days, but in January, home for her first winter break from Michigan State, she collapsed.
"Within 30 seconds she was brain dead, and he said even if she was in the hospital, they couldn't have saved her," said Marianne Romsek, Marissa's mother.
Through her tears, Marianne can now see Hope, a beautiful garden built by Project People from St. Joseph Church in Lake Orion, a group Marissa's own brother is a part of.
"I think the garden embodies the spirit of Marissa because it's a beautiful place and she was such a beautiful girl, and I just think her spirit is there," her mother said.
This garden was a labor of love from the entire community. The flowers and a dozen special touches were all donated. 50 kids spent five days with no cell phones and no computers, just one goal, lifting up a family in need.
"I don't want to be known as a selfish person. I want to be known as someone who's here to work for others, so any chance I can get to help somebody out like this, in this case planning this garden for them, I'm ecstatic," Moore said.
"There's a bigger picture than us and that's what it's all about," said Marianne Romsek. "Spending the week with these kids, it just really brings it home."
"Life can end at any moment, and you just got to take advantage of the time we have here and just hope for the best," said Kyle Wood. "You can see how many people care about Marissa."
"If tears could build a stairway and memories a lane, I'd walk right up to heaven and bring you home again," reads an inscription on one of the stones in the garden.
"She had her whole life planned out, and she really knew what she was going to do," said Joey Romsek, Marissa's brother, who added that he misses her a lot.
The family also plans to plant a tree in honor of Marissa, a place for them to go and pray.
On the last day of this project, Marissa's mother told us that she found a pot on which Marissa had painted a bumblebee and a tree when she was just eight years old.
Tuesday, March 12 2013 4:33 PM EDT2013-03-12 20:33:13 GMT
The 75-year-old grandmother charged with open murder in the shooting death of her own grandson could take the stand any day in her own defense, but Tuesday belonged to the prosecution.
The 75-year-old grandmother charged with open murder in the shooting death of her own grandson could take the stand any day in her own defense, but Tuesday belonged to the prosecution.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 10:07 PM EDT2013-05-23 02:07:10 GMT
13 dogs were rescued from a house on Ewers in southwest Detroit. The three most emaciated dogs were taken to the VCA in St. Clair Shores. They are being held in isolation for at least a week.
13 dogs were rescued from a house on Ewers in southwest Detroit. The three most emaciated dogs were taken to the VCA in St. Clair Shores. They are being held in isolation for at least a week and being treated and screened for diseases.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 9:56 PM EDT2013-05-23 01:56:23 GMT
Children were literally screaming for peace. Elementary school students at Cesar Chavez Academy in southwest Detroit spoke out for themselves -- stop bullying and stop the violence.
Children were literally screaming for peace. Elementary school students at Cesar Chavez Academy in southwest Detroit spoke out for themselves -- stop bullying and stop the violence.
Sunday, May 19 2013 9:08 PM EDT2013-05-20 01:08:52 GMT
It's National Boating Safety Week - a good time to learn about new boating safety regulations. Macomb County Sheriff Anthony Wickersham talked with Fox 2 about what boaters need to know.
It's National Boating Safety Week - a good time to learn about new boating safety regulations. Macomb County Sheriff Anthony Wickersham talked with Fox 2 about what boaters need to know.
Wednesday, May 15 2013 9:12 PM EDT2013-05-16 01:12:58 GMT
There was a last ditch effort Wednesday to save Oakman Elementary and Orthopedic School, a Detroit public school that services a high number of disabled and special needs children.
There was a last ditch effort Wednesday to save Oakman Elementary and Orthopedic School, a Detroit public school that services a high number of disabled and special needs children.
Thursday, May 23 2013 9:00 AM EDT2013-05-23 13:00:12 GMT
Detroit police say a 16-year-old boy has been shot in the chest on the city's southwest side. FOX 2's Roop Raj says emergency crews were called to the scene near Sharon and W. Vernor. Thursday morning.
Detroit police say a 16-year-old boy has been shot in the chest on the city's southwest side. FOX 2's Roop Raj says emergency crews were called to the scene near Sharon and W. Vernor. Thursday morning.
Thursday, May 23 2013 7:58 AM EDT2013-05-23 11:58:41 GMT
New U.S. Census Bureau estimates say Detroit's population remained just above 700,000 last year. The figures show Detroit lost residents between 2011 and 2012, but the decline was at a slower pace than in previous years.
New U.S. Census Bureau estimates say Detroit's population remained just above 700,000 last year. The figures show Detroit lost residents between 2011 and 2012, but the decline was at a slower pace than in previous years.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 11:44 PM EDT2013-05-23 03:44:19 GMT
Find out how you can help the victims of Monday's deadly tornado that ripped through the Oklahoma City suburbs, killing two dozen and flattening neighborhoods, schools and businesses.
Find out how you can help the victims of Monday's deadly tornado that ripped through the Oklahoma City suburbs, killing two dozen and flattening neighborhoods, schools and businesses.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 11:20 PM EDT2013-05-23 03:20:38 GMT
Neighbors said he threatened them with a shotgun, then opened fire wounding two people. Now one of the victims has said he's angry the man accused of pulling the trigger is already out of jail.
Neighbors said he threatened them with a shotgun, then opened fire wounding two people. Now one of the victims has said he's angry the man accused of pulling the trigger is already out of jail.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 10:39 PM EDT2013-05-23 02:39:42 GMT
The Republicans in Lansing are pushing a new bill that would base teacher salaries on student performance. But will merit pay really help kids get a better education? Some say the answer is no.
The Republicans in Lansing are pushing a new bill that would base teacher salaries on student performance. But will merit pay really help kids get a better education? Some say the answer is no.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 10:07 PM EDT2013-05-23 02:07:10 GMT
13 dogs were rescued from a house on Ewers in southwest Detroit. The three most emaciated dogs were taken to the VCA in St. Clair Shores. They are being held in isolation for at least a week.
13 dogs were rescued from a house on Ewers in southwest Detroit. The three most emaciated dogs were taken to the VCA in St. Clair Shores. They are being held in isolation for at least a week and being treated and screened for diseases.
Marianne Romsek said she feels the garden "embodies the spirit of Marissa." (Credit: WJBK | myFOXDetroit.com)
