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.
Monday, June 17 2013 6:45 PM EDT2013-06-17 22:45:07 GMT
In a surprising move, Tucker Cipriano pled no contest to murder in the beating death of his father. Cipriano made the plea just days before members of his own family were set to testify against him.
In a surprising move, Tucker Cipriano pled no contest to murder in the beating death of his father. Cipriano made the plea just days before members of his own family were set to testify against him.
Monday, June 10 2013 7:54 PM EDT2013-06-10 23:54:52 GMT
There's a special place in hell for people who steal from churches, and you can bet its not air conditioned, but it was the A/C unit that was targeted at Christian Road Ministries on Detroit's west side.
There's a special place in hell for people who steal from churches, and you can bet its not air conditioned, but it was the A/C unit that was targeted at Christian Road Ministries on Detroit's west side.
Wednesday, June 5 2013 7:50 PM EDT2013-06-05 23:50:32 GMT
After a fatal crash, 26-year-old Leo Evans is facing charges that could put him in prison for years. He is accused of street racing, a dangerous game that can have deadly consequences.
After a fatal crash, 26-year-old Leo Evans is facing charges that could put him in prison for years. He is accused of street racing, a dangerous game that can have deadly consequences.
Wednesday, June 5 2013 7:29 PM EDT2013-06-05 23:29:03 GMT
There was a highway crash Tuesday near French Road in Detroit. State police were called to the scene, but when they got there, the were no victims. All they found was blood and shell casings scattered along I-94.
There was a highway crash Tuesday near French Road in Detroit. State police were called to the scene, but when they got there, the were no victims. All they found was blood and shell casings scattered along I-94.
Monday, June 17 2013 9:27 PM EDT2013-06-18 01:27:07 GMT
The jury in the manslaughter trial of Detroit officer Joseph Weekley did not reach a verdict on Monday. The jury has now deliberated for two full days.
The jury in the manslaughter trial of Detroit officer Joseph Weekley did not reach a verdict on Monday. The jury has now deliberated for two full days.
Monday, June 17 2013 11:31 PM EDT2013-06-18 03:31:06 GMT
Detroit Emergency Manager Kevyn Orr is working on improving city services, including the streetlights. More than 40 percent of them do not work, but the Detroit Public Lighting Authority is now beginning its work.
As Kevyn Orr tries to solve Detroit's financial crisis, he is also working on improving city services, including the streetlights. More than 40 percent of them do not work, but the Detroit Public Lighting Authority is now beginning its work.
Monday, June 17 2013 10:43 PM EDT2013-06-18 02:43:12 GMT
He is a Detroit lawmaker serving his second term in the state House, but he may be spending a little too much time at his own house. M.L. Elrick puts state Rep. John Olumba's attendance record under the microscope.
He is a Detroit lawmaker serving his second term in the state House, but he may be spending a little too much time at his own house. M.L. Elrick puts state Rep. John Olumba's attendance record under the microscope.
Monday, June 17 2013 10:36 PM EDT2013-06-18 02:36:35 GMT
The FBI and local police have teamed up hoping to solve a 38-year-old murder mystery. They are searching an Oakland Township field looking for Jimmy Hoffa.
The FBI and local police have teamed up hoping to solve a 38-year-old murder mystery. They are searching an Oakland Township field looking for Jimmy Hoffa.
Monday, June 17 2013 6:45 PM EDT2013-06-17 22:45:07 GMT
In a surprising move, Tucker Cipriano pled no contest to murder in the beating death of his father. Cipriano made the plea just days before members of his own family were set to testify against him.
In a surprising move, Tucker Cipriano pled no contest to murder in the beating death of his father. Cipriano made the plea just days before members of his own family were set to testify against him.
Monday, June 17 2013 5:55 PM EDT2013-06-17 21:55:56 GMT
A new search for the remains of Jimmy Hoffa is underway in northern Oakland County. Armed with a search warrant, the FBI moved in Monday morning and started digging in Oakland Township.
A new search for the remains of Jimmy Hoffa is underway in northern Oakland County. Armed with a search warrant, the FBI moved in Monday morning and started digging in Oakland Township.
Monday, June 17 2013 4:56 PM EDT2013-06-17 20:56:42 GMT
General Motors is recalling more than 193,652 SUVs from the 2006 and 2007 model years because a circuit board in the driver's door could short and cause a fire.
General Motors is recalling more than 193,652 SUVs from the 2006 and 2007 model years because a circuit board in the driver's door could short and cause a fire.
Marianne Romsek said she feels the garden "embodies the spirit of Marissa." (Credit: WJBK | myFOXDetroit.com)
