Marissa Nelson was remembered yesterday for three things—her infectious smile, love for helping others and touching the lives of many locally and internationally.
This was how she was described by family and friends at her funeral service at Allen’s Funeral Home, Arima, as scores of mourners turned up to pay their final respects to Nelson, the 600-pound woman from Valencia whose battle to lose weight ended tragically when she bled to death on Sunday at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex (EWMSC) from a ruptured ulcer.
Nelson had been at the High Dependency Ward at the EWSMC for the past six months undergoing supervised weight loss treatment.
Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh was moved to assist Nelson, 32, after the T&T Guardian highlighted her plight last September and arranged for her to be treated by a special team of doctors.
For four years Nelson was confined to a bed in a tiny quarters at Johnson Street, Valencia.
Nelson also got assistance from Toco/Sangre Grande MP Glenda Jennings-Smith who arranged with the Regiment for her bedroom to be remodelled while she was being treated at the EWMSC.
Two weeks ago, Nelson who suffered from lymphoedema which caused her limbs to become enormously swollen before her hospitalisation, begged her mother Sylvia Nelson, to take her home.
However, hospital staff told her if she discharged herself the weight loss programme would be cut.
Delivering the eulogy, Nelson’s niece, Cheryl Maraj, described her aunt as a fighter, stating that from the age of 17 she had been battling a hormone imbalance problem, which led to her obesity.
Having packed on the pounds, Maraj said Nelson wanted the doctors to help her, so she could live a normal life, but this never happened.
Maraj said despite facing an upward struggle, Nelson had hoped to become a nurse.
Though she never fulfilled that dream, Maraj said Nelson took care of her family when they became ill and administered insulin injections to members of the community who were diabetic.
“Marissa was always smiling in spite of her pain. So let us remember her as a happy and pleasant person because she touched so many lives all over the world, including Africa, America and Trinidad,” Maraj said.
In paying tribute to Nelson, an emotional Jennings-Smith whose birthday was yesterday, admitted that God took her away from us prematurely.
“Today is a sad day because we lost our battle to bring Marissa back to our home in order to enjoy what we were working towards.”
She said Nelson was a happy person who fought her illness against great odds.
“Many people intervened to help Marissa. But the Lord giveth and he taketh.”
Jennings-Smith said when she heard about Nelson’s death she knew she suffered to the very end.
“We knew the autopsy result. We knew what happened before she passed on. Today, we can take solace that she is in the arms of the Lord. She has gone to rest with the angels.”
“I know you are crying inside. We all are. We all had big hopes and dreams. But you know what, God has the master plan for us all. He alone knows.”
In thanking Deyalsingh, Social Development and Family Services Minister Cherrie-Ann Crichlow-Cockburn, Fire Services, army, doctors and staff at the EWMSC who came to Nelson’s assistance, Jennings-Smith said everyone impacted on her life.
“The Government was grateful to have served her,” Jennings-Smith said.
Through sobs, Nelson’s sister, Diane Ramlal, said Nelson’s journey was difficult and many people stood behind her for the past 10 years when her health started to deteriorate.
Seated in the front row of the chapel in a wheelchair, Marissa’s mother, Sylvia, wept inches away from her daughter’s coffin, which was decorated in purple and pink ribbons.
Pastor Kurt Tomas who delivered the sermon said one thing he would never forget about Nelson was her infectious laugh. “She enjoyed a good laugh and had a beautiful smile,” Tomas said.
Nelson was cremated.
