Marisol M. Bermea

Marisol Bermea was born in Texas on May 23, 1975. It was a stormy night, as rain poured over the road, and bouts of fierce lightening created a template of a night that would bring this beautiful girl into the lives of Armando and Gloria Bermea. Marisol made this family complete as now she became the “little sister” to her brother Caesar. As a child, Marisol enjoyed spending time with her family in La Pryor, Texas and like every little girl, enjoyed the adventures of growing up in a small town, where everybody knew each other like family. Summers were spent swimming in the rivers and long hours outdoors with her family and cousins. When she was only 3 years old, the family moved to San Diego, California, where Marisol would adjust to a new place to call home. The family continued to spend time in Texas during summer vacations and special holidays, which marked many memories that she would cherish throughout her life. Marisol was a joyful child and at a very young age she was noted to be a leader. She loved school and playing with her friends becoming an avid reader by the time she entered first grade.

Marisol grew up in Imperial Beach and though she loved learning, it was always on her terms as she was one to speak up if she felt something was not right. This would get her into trouble, but she knew that as a growing young lady she wanted to set an example to women that our voices carried power, and this would send her on a path of leadership as she began her journey towards her career in healthcare.

Marisol was sociable and grew fond in the hearts of many. She was brutally honest, and never let anyone walk over her. As a young lady she met some amazing people that connected with her and opened doors of opportunities in the field of healthcare. Marisol always made those around her feel good and knew that her calling was indeed working with people. She ventured into helping the elderly, those who had terminal illnesses, for her smile brought comfort to many who were living difficult health challenges and would always reassure them that she would help them however she could.

Marisol’s life was blessed 23 years ago when her nephew came into her life. Esteban was her joy, and she always went above and beyond to care and love her “monkey” as she called him until her last breath. She cherished the years she was able to see him grow up into the fine young man that he has become. Her wishes were to make sure her “monkey” was cared for just as she would have wanted to do so herself.

Marisol faced health challenges as a child, but you would never know it because she was a strong little girl and then in her early 30’s she was faced with a very alarming diagnosis of cancer but she endured whatever was necessary to beat it. Through family support and prayers from many who knew the Bermea family, God granted her the miracle of remission and was fully cured from cancer. After her health scare, opportunities were opened through good friends, this time she had the chance to work at the Moores Cancer Center in La Jolla. There she met so many brave people fighting cancer and worked for about 11 years bringing support and comfort to the many patients she encountered throughout her years of service. She was a highly valued employee and was recognized by her peers on many occasions for her unconditional dedication to those she served at the cancer center. Marisol was a person you could count on and everyone who knew her will undeniably feel the void of her caring compassion for others.

Marisol was instrumental in leading her union at the state level. She used her leadership skills on many occasions to represent the union and advocate for fair laws that supported health care workers. As a dedicated employee she was one who could be counted on to show up at work every day and weekends as well when asked. Her superb work ethic gained her to become a highly respected employee. She never sought to do anything for recognition rather she worked with dedication because it was the right thing to do.

Marisol advocated for the empowerment of women. She loved sharing messages from quotes she believed in. She could walk the talk and encouraged women to believe in their power to move mountains. Some of her favorite messages were printed across some of her t-shirts. As you read them you will smile and say, “Yes, that was Mari!” “Lucky”, Marisol always felt lucky to have a nephew to love as a son. “A Sensible Woman Can Never Be Happy With A Fool”, Marisol was smart and she believed in equality this drove her to be very picky when it came to dating men. She set her rules and if they didn’t comply, then it was goodbye! “Latina, Proud, Educated, and Powerful.” She believed in this motto to the core of her heart, always proud of her heritage and the power of opening doors through an education. “Walk to the beat of your own drum”. Marisol was a leader and encouraged women to be themselves and shine above all. “Soy La Reina, Y Que?” You just didn’t mess with Marisol. There were many more but the last shirt she wore was the most memorable “Embrace your journey.” Hers was a difficult journey stormed with many health challenges which she endured in hopes of healing. She lived her life being part of the change she advocated for and embraced whatever came her way with courage.

If her family and friends had to wear a shirt with a motto in her memory it would be “Courageous until the end, never let fear stop you from living.”

In her down time when she was not at work or advocating for union rights in Sacramento, she enjoyed spending it with her close friends, and navigating her passion for cooking. Marisol would make the best meals which she shared with many. Her famous enchiladas, potato salad, and lasagna, where among her most requested meals, and those of us who were lucky to eat them, knew exactly the joy it was to devour her meals. She was a gifted chef indeed always finding calm in the kitchen.

A warrior yes, brave yes, afraid, at times, absolutely, but Marisol would never have imagined the turn her life would take in the last past year that sent her health into a whirlwind of challenges she tried so desperately to overcome. Losing her father a little over a year ago brought much sadness to her heart and family, but she gave her time and love helping her family see that her father’s care was as comfortable as possible and reassured him that the family would move forward granting his many wishes, as they endured the painful days of seeing him through his last moments of life. Losing her daddy was a heartbreaking time and then her health turned into months of searching for answers to the many diagnoses that were now making for challenging days in her life. But she vowed to fight each new test result, facing her kidney failure as a challenge she would beat. With the support of her “amazing mom”, and family, Marisol was determined to confront the arduous treatments necessary to help with her diagnosis, and so her journey began. She took all her knowledge and experience as a healthcare worker to now advocate for her treatment. Her determination to fight this left many of us who knew her in admiration, for it was far from easy. Her health was impaired by another rare disease that ultimately made life painfully unbearable with no cure, and her battles were now hampered with many emergency visits and long stays at the hospital, but the pain never ceased, and she bravely fought the cruel way her body was slowly ravished, as her happy outlook on life was blemished and the hope that she counted on, was now close to impossible.

In her last months, she endured yet another loss as her sister-in-law was called to the house of our Lord, and still even though she was already feeling the burden of her own illness, she never complained, she bravely kept focused on getting better, and returning to work. Even in the most difficult of moments for her, she found it in her heart to advocate for the healthcare of the woman who was her roommate at the rehabilitation center, where they faced injustices as patients. That was the Marisol we all knew and expected no less from her.

In the early morning hours of June 30th, just as the sun rose to another day, Marisol passed away with her mother and Tio Jose by her side. They held her hands as she was called to God’s house.

May the Lord comfort her family as the loss of Marisol leaves a great void to all who knew her. She will forever live in our hearts as she has taught us that life gives us paths that sometimes no one expects and may turn in ways that leave heartaches. God gave her strength and courage to realize a journey to Utah in late April with her mom, cousin, and close family friend. There was joy in her smile just to take a fresh breath of air, to be outdoors enjoying the beauty of the surrounding Zion Mountains, enjoying a meal in the delighted company of loved ones who wanted to be there with her, and to share in her pain through comforting gestures of hope. This gave her what she wanted most, to feel like herself, even if it was for small moments at a time, those were the moments where she yearned for a miracle.

Life has rocked our world with the loss of Marisol, the grief we feel is immense, but we will live cherishing the many life lessons we learned from her, never to be forgotten. The image of her sitting on a rocking chair in the patios of the nice resort we spent time at in Utah, will forever remind us of the smile Marisol carried until she could no longer be with us. Marisol made this world a better place and though gone too soon, we will live many moments in her honor, remembering how much she loved life, her brother, her nephew, her family, her friends, her cat Patches in heaven, and especially the bravery of her mom, who never left her side during her last months, loving her unconditionally. Her mother’s love was so profound that Marisol always felt the comfort she needed during her illness. With just the presence of her mom, the sound of her voice, and the prayers that continued as many asked for a miracle, that was enough to give Marisol the will to get through just one more day.

Marisol is survived by her mother, Gloria Bermea, her brother Caesar Bermea, her nephew Esteban Bermea, her family in Texas, best friend, Laurie, and friends in San Diego including all her colleagues at the Moorse Cancer Center in La Jolla. The family wishes to extend their sincere gratitude for all expressions of sympathy and kindness shown during this time of bereavement, and a special thank you to the caring staff at Kaiser Permanente and her doctors who cared for her during her stay at the hospital.

Rest in Peace beautiful Marisol, your time here on Earth will forever be cherished until we meet again, your journey was well embraced by your loving heart and you will never be forgotten.