Remembering Nicole Marzano: 'She Left Behind a Legacy of Love'

Hundreds of friends, family and members of the community gathered Saturday at in Westfield to mourn the sudden loss of 19-year-old Nicole Marzano, who died in a .

Every seat in the church was taken and mourners who could not find a space in the pews lined the back walls of the church. It seemed only fitting that Nicole, who was so beloved by this community was surrounded by her friends and family.  

The service began with a family remembrance, celebrating Nicole’s “spirit of excellence in everything she did.” A family member even garnered a heavy-hearted laugh from the crowd by stating that “Nicole was born with a tan and looked just as beautiful in sweatpants, with her hair pulled back, as she did when she was dressed to the nines.”

“Nicole had a smile that could light up any room," she continued. "She left behind a legacy of love; in her short time here, she touched more lives than some people do in a lifetime."

Father Michael Saporito, who presided over the funeral Mass, told those gathered to look at Nicole’s life as an “inspiration and a motivation to make the most of ourselves in her honor.”

Just as shaken by the loss of Nicole as those in the church, his moving homily was more like a conversation among friends rather than a priest addressing a congregation.

“There are no words I could say that can make this all go away," he said. "We gather here in shock, vulnerable, with our emotions ripped wide open. I too have these feelings; I am not immune to loss — we are all helpless and hopeless in the face of death. ...  I don’t know if you know how many people came to visit Nicole, but the line was wrapped around every piece of property we own here. That’s what true compassion is all about."

Father Michael emphasized the lasting impact Nicole has had and how even in death, she can spark positive changes in every life.

“True compassion changes us," he said. "We have lost someone who is precious beyond words. We’re not going to be changed today; today we feel like garbage. We are changed because we look at Nicole’s life and we look at how she lived it and it can provide something for us. We are not just here to let our raw emotions come out but also to grasp whatever pieces of hope there are. Nicole was a beautiful, talented person. She was one of those people that you loved to be around. Her life can inspire us to make the most of our time and ourselves in her honor because she did. She inspired the very best in herself, leaving that for us to emulate.”

As Father Michael pointed out, the gospel chosen for the service was not a funeral gospel; it was an Easter one. The lesson of Thomas the Doubter tells the story of the disciple who could not believe that Jesus had risen because he had not seen it with his own eyes.

“Blest are they who have not seen, but believe. Nicole will be waiting for us in a place where we never, ever have to say goodbye,” Father Michael said.

Patti Gardner provided delicate, yet powerful vocals during the service. Her performance of “Ave Maria” served as a breathtaking tribute to Nicole and an unforgettable comfort for her loved ones. Toward the end of the service, Gardner’s unbridled rendition of Lee Ann Womak’s “I Hope You Dance” caused even those who had held strong for the entire service to break into tears.

As the sun poured through the stained glass, shining on the faces of so many young men and women devastated by the loss of a close friend, Gardner began to sing the interlude from the finale of Les Miserables, echoing the message that as long as one is remembered, they are never truly gone.

“Take her hand, and lead her to salvation. Take our love, for love is everlasting. And remember the truth that once was spoken: to love another person is to see the face of God.”