Condolence: Marie and family...

I'm so sorry to hear about Gemma! I wish there was something i could be doing for all of you!

Marie....I know how much you love her and how much you did for her! I can't imagine what you are feeling right now! Please know that if you need anything to call!! I wish i could be there to give you a hug....i know it's really needed right now! Please know that i'm thinking of you marie and the rest of your family!!

hugs and kisses from kansas!! :)

Love,
Ashley Fisher (Liz Fisher's daughter)

Condolence: Dear Tony, Judy, Marie, and to Gemma's family, we were saddened to hear of Gemma's passing yesterday. She was a truly lovely woman with a nice smile. We used to visit all the time when we were younger coming from Toronto with my family. I actually saw her last summer (july) at the Rochester Picnic, she was selling the villa t-shirts. She will be truly missed. We want to express our deepest sympathies to the family, may God comfort you during this difficult time, she is an angel in heaven watching over you. May she rest in peace.

Marisa, Steve and Alexandra Santek (Tony & Velia Ferrari's daughter) Montreal, Quebec

Condolence: Tom and Family:
No words can convey the sorrow I feel for your loss. Gemma truly was one of the most wonderful individuals I have had the pleasure to know. God Bless...

Condolence: I was Gemma's 6th Grade teacher at St. Peter and Paul School in Rochester. I was fresh out of college and there were some pretty tough kids in that class. I had a brother, sister, and 2 cousins and when I would try to discipline one, the others would get upset. But Gemma was a good kid and sometimes try to help me and calm some of the others down. I remember her fondly and it seems that she endured a long illness , so I am glad she is at peace now.

Condolence: I am Marie's aunt from Kansas. This comment is in honor of my niece, Marie Musolino, who took care of Gemma during her illness with cancer. Early on in Gemma’s cancer, Marie was always there to take her to the doctor, help her understand what the doctor was telling Gemma, and giving her support. Last fall, it appeared that Gemma would need more assistance at home. Marie asked her employer if she could go part time to enable her to spend afternoons with Gemma until her family came home from work.

When it appeared that Gemma really needed someone to be with her all day, Marie took a leave of absence from work to be with her. She administered medications, kept track of visitors and dealt with the various health care workers who came to care for Gemma, and was a confidant and good company for Gemma. They talked about good times, they laughed and cried together, they talked about death and dying and Gemma’s concerns about her family after she was gone, they even planned her funeral so the family would not be burdened with it. Due to her medical background as a surgical tech at the hospital, Marie was able to help Gemma and her family understand what was happening to her as she became more critical up until her death.

And, so, in the midst of sadness and grief, I want to honor my niece, Marie, for all she did to make Gemma’s last months as comfortable as possible. Marie is mature beyond her years. I know it was also a gift for Marie to spend these last months with Gemma, her “mother” and aunt.

Marie has always been a caretaker for anyone who needed assistance. From her diabetic grandmother who was unable to walk before she died, to her father who has a variety of medical problems, to her roommate who had a serious disease, to her cousin who needed help with her young children-Marie was always there. .

So, Marie, I think it is time for someone to take care of you! I know that your hearts desire is to become a nurse. You have already demonstrated that you have the intelligence and the caring to be a great nurse. So, whatever it takes, we all need to help you make that happen. Thanks so much for your caring spirit. As you grieve Gemma’s death, please know that your gift to Gemma was priceless, and was very special to both of you. I am so very proud of you. Aunt Pam

Condolence: How sad to learn the news of Gemma's passing. Her exuberance,warmth and wonderful personality made Gemma someone people gravitated to. Deepest sympathy to her family.

Condolence: I am the sister of Marie Musolino's mother and Marie's Aunt Pam. My sister, Mary Beth, died tragically at the age of 46. Now Gemma, a wonderfully loving person her entire life,has died at an early age as well. I came to know Gemma when Mary Beth died. She and Tony Musolino, Gemma's brother and Marie's father, came to Topeka to help with the arrangements for the funeral and help Marie deal with the dispersion of Mary Beth's property. Gemma was a lifesaver at that time, comforting Marie, keeping us all entertained with stories of Marie, "Big Tony" and Mary Beth when Marie was just a child. Gemma was truly a mother to Marie, and for this I am so thankful, as well as so sorrowful for your loss.

After Mary Beth's death we began to go back to Rochester to visit Marie, and of course that included Gemma. She was so gracious-always wanting to feed us and have us swim in their pool. I could tell that she was a loving, giving angel to her friends and family throughout her entire life. She worried about everyone, and was certainly the matriarch of the family.

With her passing, she leaves many broken hearts-and I can certainly understand why. Throughout her illness she remained optomistic, loving her various doctors and caregivers. My prayers are with all of the family-Please know that Gemma loved each of you with all of her heart. She loved the family get togethers and special times like holidays and weddings. She loved having her house full of family-the more the better. I hope you continue to get together as a family for all of those holidays, baptisms, and other special events, because that will make Gemma so happy as she looks down at all of you from heaven. She is now at peace and pain free-and sitting at the hand of God. No doubt, God has seen her Godly work on earth, and has already given her a special designation as an "angel extrodinaire". She's probably planning a special welcome dinner for all of your family who are deceased, and have welcomed Gemma to her heavenly family.

Our prayers and love are with all of you, as you go through the important process of saying goodbye to your mom, sister, aunt, and your friend. May the memories of the good times with Gemma give you peace in the days to come. It doesn't seem fair that God should take someone so wonderful so early. But, he must have important plans for her that we will not understand until we join her. God bless all of you.

Condolence: To Marie I am so sorry about Gemma. I know how important she was in your life. Please know you have been in my thoughts and prayers. I love you, Marie. Love, Aunt Barbie

Condolence: Gemma was so much fun to be around and was a beautiful person inside and out. My sisters and I (Marie's aunts from Kansas and Oklahoma) had so much fun at Gemma's home a few years ago. I will always remember Gemma. Barb from Oklahoma

Condolence: Dear Tom, Frank and Jill, Joe and Katrina, Tom and Kristen, Tony and Judy, and Marie...

Please let your sweet memories of Gemma replace the painful ones. Although her life was too short it was rich and full because of the deep love she shared with each of you.

2 Co. 1:5 For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ.

We continue to lift your families up in loving prayer,
Denise and Noelle Alexander