Beautiful Soul

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When we were children the summer seemed to last forever, and each summer was made complete when our cousins from Baltimore - the Switala’s - came to visit.

I’m not sure if they came up for a week or a month, but it was never long enough, and the one thing that was guaranteed was laughter.

You think the Fuzzy’s are crazy?

Well, there was a lot of Fuzzy in every single Switala, and some of my longest bouts of laughter happened when a Switala told a story.

Well, yesterday, the Switala and Fazzolari families lost a truly beautiful soul. 

My cousin Maryann passed away after a heroic battle with freaking cancer.

Know what I thought about when I heard the horrible news?

Yeah.

Laughing.

It seemed to me that Maryann was always laughing.

I pictured her glee as she told me about my Uncle’s visit to the restroom in a North Collins diner.

I had to ask her to stop talking as she explained what happened.

But there was so much more to my beautiful cousin. She lived a life of service, and was terrific at her job.

She lost her husband, Don, way too young, and she taught a master class in dealing with grief as her faith never wavered.

When we lost my brother, Maryann stepped up and became a force as we celebrated Jeff’s life each year with a softball tournament. 

Not only did she get the banner made that welcomed all to the event, she visited each year with a pocket filled with cash that she donated to Jeff’s children.

And then, when news of her battle turning bad she stood tall, and once more taught all of us how to handle the end of life with grace, beauty and love.

Damn, she will be missed by thousands of people who loved her, but she is far from gone from this life.

Her spirit.

Her love.

Her laughter.

All are ringing in my ears, and in my heart.

Whole lot of hearts will remain filled with the wonderful love delivered by a beautiful soul.

Thought a lot about those endless summer days of our youth.

“The Switala’s are coming up.”

We were always ready.

Rest In Peace Maryann.

You won’t be forgotten!

Comments

Jamie Fazzolari-Greene said…
I love this Cliff & it couldn’t be more true!! Maryann always had everyone laughing & she loved us all, as much as we loved her. May our beautiful, brave, sweet, funny, loving & caring cousin Rest In Peace with the rest of the Fuzzy’s up there & of course, her hubby, Don.
17 August, 2022
Julie Tuck Criswell said…
This was beautifully written. I have never met her but wish that I could have and I’m sure she will be so sorely missed.
18 August, 2022
Cliff Fazzolari said…
Thank you.

It’s such a heartbreaking time, but the family will bond together and make sure that we carry Maryann’s spirit forward to all that we do from here on out!
18 August, 2022
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