Marisa Nicks

MADISON- Marisa (Risa) Nicks, 39, passed away peacefully at Agrace HospiceCare in Fitchburg on October 14, 2013.

Marisa was born in Madison, Wisconsin on January 20, 1974, the daughter of Stephen J. Nicks and Diane M. Sorensen. Despite her severe limitations from birth, Marisa enjoyed a whole range of experiences, from music and games at Marc-East, to being massaged, having her hair towel-dried and her fingernails painted at home, to being told she is pretty by admirers everywhere. Above all, she loved a good party, the kind where everyone talks at once, laughs a lot and calls out "Marisa!" or "Risa!" to let her know they are with her. Then, she sparkled. Marisa was loved and loved back. She brought out the best in everyone.

Marisa is survived by her father, Steve Nicks, and her stepmother, Mary Burke, of Bonita Springs, Florida, her mother, Diane Sorensen, and her stepfather, Dan Stier, of Madison Wisconsin, and her brother, Casey Nicks, of Minneapolis, Minnesota. We cannot begin to express our immense gratitude to the generous and talented professionals, too many to name, from REM, Marc-East, Teamwork Associates and the Dane County Department of Human Services. We also wish to thank Dr. William Schwab and Kati Martin who truly became part of Marisa's extended family. All of you have meant so much to Marisa and to us. Each has our heartfelt thanks for your tender, compassionate care. We also want to extend a warm thank you to the doctors, nurses, certified nursing assistants, social workers and priest at St. Mary's Hospital and at Agrace HospiceCare for their care and compassion.

A memorial gathering for Marisa will be held at Agrace HospiceCare. 5395 E.Cheryl Parkway, Madison on Thursday, October 17th, from 4 pm to 6 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to MARC East, 3939 Lien Road, Madison, Wisconsin 53704.