Marissa Renee Garcia

Marissa Renee Garcia (nee Keller), age 44, of Mesa, Ariz., passed away on May 29, 2024, after a courageous 3-1/2-year battle with breast cancer.

She was born on Aug. 1, 1979, to David and Margo (Salm) Keller in Port Washington, Wis. She was the second of three daughters, and always the life of the party.

Marissa graduated from Port Washington High School in 1998, having excelled in soccer, dance team and diving. She was a member of the National Honor Society and got into her dream college, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, graduating in 2002 with a degree in communications.

A couple of years after graduating, Marissa decided to start fresh and moved to Arizona. She worked a variety of jobs, from mortgage lending to marketing at Arizona State University and Dunkin’ Donuts to where she ultimately settled at a company called TTEC in digital marketing.

In early 2010, Marissa met the love of her life, Francisco Eusebio Garcia II, and they were united in holy matrimony on April 12, 2014. Two boys would soon follow, Francisco Eusebio Garcia III and Drake David Garcia. They were her entire world, and there was no place she’d rather be than the soccer field with them. She always cheered the loudest.

Marissa had a way of creating long lasting friendships with everyone she came across. She remained close with several friends from elementary school and middle school, as well as dozens of people she worked with over the years, and continued to collect friends everywhere she went.

Marissa was very open about her cancer journey, hoping she could inspire others with her story. She took nothing for granted, and truly lived and loved life to the fullest. Her positivity and strength continue to be an inspiration to us all.

Marissa is survived by her loving husband Francisco Eusebio Garcia II and their two beautiful sons Francisco Eusebio Garcia III and Drake David Garcia. She is also survived by her parents David and Margo Keller of Port Washington, her mother-in-law Marilyn Garcia of Miami, Fla., her sisters Nicole Grob of Cedarburg, Wis., and Lyndsey (Justin) Kontny of Iron Ridge, Wis., nieces Addison, Ellie and Shosie and nephews Christian and Gavin. She is further survived by several aunts, uncles, cousins and many, many friends.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents Gilbert and Margaret Salm and Roy and Betty Keller, her father-in-law Francisco Eusebio Garcia Sr. and friends Joe Didier, Michael Holevatz and Sarah Collins.

Viewing will take place on Thursday, June 6, from 9 a.m. to noon at Red Mountain Funeral Home, 456 N. Mesa Dr., Mesa, AZ 85201.

Coffee, beverages and pastries will be provided by “The Old Fashioned Wagon.”

A funeral service will take place on Friday, June 7, from 10 to 11 a.m. at St Timothy Catholic Church, 1730 W. Guadalupe Rd., Mesa, AZ 85202

Burial will follow at Mesa Cemetery, 1212 N. Center St., Mesa, AZ 85201 from approximately 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.

Please feel free to join family in the social room at St. Timothy’s after Mass for refreshments and fellowship.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to the family are appreciated.

We ask that you wear bright colored clothes in honor of our love for Marissa Renee Garcia.

She will be remembered for her beautiful smile, her larger-than-life personality, always singing, always dancing.