Hi Cashin's Crusaders,

Marisa has been gone for almost 4 years now and I still miss her everyday.

I haven't updated the page in sometime so I thought as we get close to this years Walk of Hope it was about time. I have made many new friends along the way and so many of you have introduced her memory to your friends. Thank you for that! It has been my goal that the memory of such a smart, kind and caring person not be forgotten.  

Marisa started Cashin's Crusaders during her battle against "Fred" that was what she called her tumor. She explained that it made it less menacing to give it a name. She passed away peacefully in July of 2019 after a long and courageous battle with cancer. 

Marisa was a National Board Certified Teacher and a life-long learner. She received her undergraduate degree from Montclair State University, graduate degree from East Carolina University and her doctorate from North Central University in Curriculum & Instruction, each time graduating with honors.

Marisa has been teaching in the Wake County Public School System (WCPSS) since 2007, first at Cedar Fork Elementary and later teaching fifth grade at Horton's Creek Elementary. During her time with the WCPSS Marisa served as a mentor working with beginning teachers to help them develop skills needed to have success in the classroom. She was often seen at student sporting events, plays, or recitals. She always felt it was important to support “her kids” outside of the classroom as well.

Through your kindness and generosity roughly $200,000 has been donated to various charities and organizations in memory of Marisa. These charities have included all the things that were important to Marisa- Education, Food Insecurity and Cancer Research for example. 

Thank you!

Pete