Marissa Elaine Encinas, 47 - surrounded by love and family, peacefully returned home to our Father in Heaven on April 8, 2023.

Marissa was born on March 4, 1976 to Eduardo Acuna Cordova and Carmen Ayala Cordova in Tucson, AZ.  She graduated from Salpointe High School in 1994 and went on to receive her Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from the University of Arizona and her Master's Degree in Human Relations with an emphasis in Mental Health Counseling from the University of Oklahoma.

Marissa was the Clinical Services Supervisor for the Pima County Conciliation Court where she worked for 16 years.

In the summer of 1995, Marissa and Eduardo met at a party and married on October 14, 2000.  Marissa and Eduardo went on to have 2 children and a beautiful life together.

Marissa leaves on this earth her most prized and proudest gifts - her 'precious boys', Nicolai and Luca; her husband Eduardo Santa Maria Encinas; parents Eduardo and Carmen Cordova; sisters Yvette (Abel) Silva, Sonia (Baldemar) Dagnino; nieces Abrianna Silva, Anyssa Dagnino, Araceli Dagnino, Aliyah Dagnino, Ava Dagnino, Isabella Encinas, Nevenka Canedo; nephews Isaac Silva, Augustine Silva, Nathan Silva; mother-in-law Bertha (Victor) Villasenor; father-in-law Eddie Encinas; brother-in-law Gabriel Encinas; sister-in-law Niva (Eddie) Canedo.

Marissa was diagnosed with cancer 3 1/2 years ago.  Marissa viewed her diagnosis not as a 'battle', but rather, part of a journey - part of life and part of what we experience here on earth.  She would not be defined by this diagnosis - she would say that cancer is a part of her and that she would not battle against herself.  Some people called her a 'warrior' and a 'fighter', these words did not resonate with her.  She did not know how to describe herself and soon realized that it wasn't necessary to.

Through her journey, Marissa became increasingly aware and connected to her Faith and God.  Her Faith brough her a higher form of trust and peace.

Marissa loves God and trusts Him with every ounce of her being, which is why she is able to love and trust without reservation.  Marissa humbles me with her Faith and she knows that this is not the end.

Marissa is a beautiful person who lights up a room with her smile.  She forged her own path and did things her way.

Marissa may not have known how to describe herself, but what she is and always will be is graceful, beautiful, strong, hopeful, and Faithful.

"She stood in the storm, and when the wind did not blow her way, she adjusted her sails."

-Elizabeth Edwards