Michelle Barbara Marasco (nee McLean), age 50 years, passed away peacefully with her family by her side on Wednesday, October 28, 2015 at St. Joseph's Hospice, after a long courageous battle with cancer.
Michelle was born on May 23, 1965 at McKellar Hospital. She attended Green Acres, Westmount and Westgate High School. She was a dedicated and committed employee of McDonald's Restaurant since the age of fourteen. Until her illness, Michelle was the Restaurant Manager of the Arthur Street location. Prior to that, she managed various other McDonald restaurants including Red River Road and Memorial Avenue. Michelle loved her job immensely and was highly respected by all her staff.
Michelle met the love of her life, Salvatore Marasco and the two were married on February 8, 2003. They enjoyed a wonderful life together for the last 13 years. The greatest joy in Michelle's life came with the birth of their beautiful son Matthew, on her birthday.
Michelle was a great mom to Matthew and loved him unconditionally. She was involved with everything he did and never missed an opportunity to show everyone how proud she was of him. She loved watching him play soccer, baseball and especially hockey. She was definitely a “Hockey Mom” and looked forward to being at every game.
In Michelle's free time she was a volunteer extradorinaire for many organizations including Ronald McDonald's charities including the golf tournament here in Thunder Bay. She also organized the Easter Seal Power Play Hockey Tournament for a number of years as well as the Easter Seal Snowarama Poker Run at Grand Portage.
Michelle loved to travel to Las Vegas, Australia and Hawaii. The most recent family vacation with Sal and Matthew to Mexico was the most cherished by Michelle. She loved to attend NHL hockey games, especially if she could watch her beloved Montreal Canadians in action. She was also a great Blue Jays fan and cheered on her favourite team at many games.
Michelle was a life long member of St. Thomas Anglican Church.
Michelle will be sadly missed by her beloved husband Salvatore, her cherished son Matthew, her mother Georgina McLean, sisters Diana (Wayne) Sustawenko and Linda (Michael) Harris, father and mother-in-law Francesco and Maria Marasco, sister and brother-in-laws Rosemarie (Brian) Mackenzie, Robert (Carol) Marasco, Loretta (Kirby) Ritcher and Mary (Jeff) Gotta. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews, and her good friend Bev McQueen.
Michelle was predeceased by her beloved father Donald McLean and her grandparents.
Funeral Services for the late Mrs. Michelle Barbara Marasco will be held on Monday, November 2, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. in St. Thomas Anglican Church (corner of Edward and Amelia Streets) with Rev. Doug McClure officiating. Entombment will follow in Our Lady of Charity Mausoleum at St. Andrew's Cemetery. A celebration of life will take place at the Italian Cultural Centre (Algoma Street) from 12:30 p.m. until 2:30 p.m. Visitation for family and friends will be held on Sunday evening from 6:30 p.m until 8:30 p.m in the WESTFORT CHAPEL, 420 West Gore Street at James.
Should friends so desire, donations made in memory of Michelle to Ronald McDonald Children's Charities, Northern Cancer Fund or a charity of your choice would be greatly appreciated.
