Marissa Ann Wuerthele was born on November 8, 2007. Three months later, on February 10, 2008, she developed a condition called Infantile Spasms.

The first two years of her life were consumed by three steroid treatments, and trials of eight different anti-epileptic drugs. Over the course of her life, she had no relief from the nearly constant seizures. As a result, she didn't develop physically or mentally past the three-month stage.

Through her life, she never knew the joy of running after her dogs, catching a ball, or even sitting and playing. Somehow, though, she only very rarely got sick from other causes.

Despite all the challenges, Marissa was a cheery child, with expressive eyes. She didn't express much outward emotion beyond facial expressions, but those familiar with her could tell when she was happy or sad, who she liked and who she didn't, and when she was -- and wasn't -- interested in doing her physical therapies.

Marissa died of her illness the evening of August 12 the same way her epilepsy care began -- in her father's arms.

She is survived by her siblings Michael David Wuerthele (11) and Mia Louise Wuerthele (9), her mother Maria Louisa Santos, her father Michael Wuerthele, her aunt Aileen Santos, and her grandparents Fiametta Santos, Judith Putnam, David Putnam, Michael Wuerthele, and Sue Wuerthele. She is pre-deceased by her grandfather Librado Santos, and her favorite basset hound, Mandy.

Funds generated will be used to help offset her final costs, and remainders will be used to balance the scales on the unfairnesses her brother and sister had to deal with over the years because of her parents and relatives caretaking for a disabled sister.