MONTVILLE, CT - Nearly five months after her dream of meeting Justin Bieber made headlines, courageous teenager Marissa Satiro, 16, passed away on Monday, November 27 after a long battle with cancer. She was at her home surrounded by her loving family at the time of her passing.
The sad news was announced on the Satiro Strong Facebook page, which has documented various stages or Satiro's illness over the last few years.
"Our hearts are heavy as our beautiful baby girl received her wings [Monday]," a post made Tuesday said. "There are no words to describe the pain and sorrow we are feeling."
See also: Young Montville Cancer Patient's Last Wish Is To Meet Justin Bieber
For those unfamiliar with her story, Satiro was diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer called osteosarcoma when she was just 13 years old. She underwent many surgeries following her initial diagnosis, and was in and out of Yale-New Haven Hospital often.
Her family was given a grim prognosis on June 9, when doctors informed them Satiro's candle would burn out soon.
"The cancer is so aggressive and she has fought it so hard, but it is spreading despite treatment now," according to a video made by family friend Jason Henriksen in June following the news. "The doctors can't even say with any degree of certainty that Marissa will make her 16th birthday on August 11."
Though she was ultimately able to celebrate her Sweet 16, Satiro still continued to struggle. According to the page, she had been in the hospital earlier this month when her family was told she might not be able to go home.
"They said if Marissa is able to leave the hospital it would be in an ambulance just to get her home," a post at the time said, "but they aren't sure she's gonna make it home. This is the hardest thing we have ever had to deal with in our lives."
After a "painful ride" however, Satiro was able to return home on November 21 to be with her friends and family. A post made that day said it was the girl's last wish.
According to her obituary, Marissa (also known as "Rissa" and "Mama Jean") loved life to the fullest. Her heart and soul was an open book, caring for everyone she met and even those she did not know.
She was also a cheerleader, which many saw as appropriate due to her constantly bright, cheerful and uplifting nature. These qualities carried her through all the trials and pain that came with osteosarcoma.
"She was so much more than just [our] baby girl," the post said. "She was loved by everyone and touched so many peoples' hearts."
She is survived by her parents, Michelle and Joseph Satiro IV, as well as her three sisters, two brothers, her niece and nephew and many others.
Satiro made headlines this summer when her family attempted to spread the word about her dying wish to meet pop star Justin Bieber. In an attempt to get the famed entertainer's attention, Satiro's family spread her story of strength and courage in hopes of attracting Bieber's attention.
"Justin Bieber, nobody deserves this honor more than her," Henriksen said in the video. "While our prayers of her cancer being cured seem as if they may go unanswered, please don't let hers...she truly is an amazing lady."
While Satiro did not end up getting to meet Bieber, her story seems to have touched and inspired many others. Over 140 people shared the post announcing her passing, and numerous comments were left expressing condolences to her family.
A wake for Satiro will be held Friday evening from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Montville Funeral Home of Church & Allen. Funeral Services will be held Saturday at the funeral home at 11 a.m., with a calling hour from 10 a.m. until the time of the service.
Burial will be private at the convenience of the family.
A GoFundMe page has also been created to help raise donations for the cost of the funeral services and purchase a stone for Satiro. As of Wednesday evening, the page has raised $1,130 of a $20,000 goal.
Satiro's full obituary can be read at the Montville Funeral Home of Church & Allen.
Image via GoFundMe
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