The Star - News, views and advertising of the Grand Coulee Dam Area

Jezelle Elizabeth Marconi entered the Coulee Dam, home of Urisha “Ookie” and Randi Pakootas-Marconi on March 5, 2006, and for the next six years brightened the lives of everyone she touched with her infectious smile and exuberant love of life. Thursday evening, September 6, 2012, with her beloved family surrounding her Spokane, Washington hospital bed, Jezelle quietly slipped away following her courageous battle with aplastic anemia. A proud first grader at Grand Coulee’s Center Elementary, Jezelle enjoyed playing with all of her many friends. She loved horses, riding her bike, playing with her stuffed animals and loved-loved-loved “Hello Kitty”!

Jezelle will ever live in the hearts and minds of all who knew and loved her, especially her dad and mom Urisha “Ookie” and Randi Pakootas – Marconi; little brother Noah Marconi; great-grandmas: Loretta Pakootas and Virginia Mason; great-grandpa Henry Pakootas; grandmas Susie Allen and Carla Bierle – Marconi; grandpas: Marshall Pakootas and Doug Marconi Sr. (Pam); aunties: Marsha Pakootas, Lesley Pakootas, Darian Pakootas, Shelby McCrea and Rena Whiteman (Derek); uncles: Eric Pakootas, Beau Pakootas, Doug Marconi Jr. (Andrea) and Daniel Parks Conant Jr .; and her many – many cousins.

Jezelle’s family would like to thank the many neighbors, friends and strangers who were tested and willing to donate to help…you will never be forgotten. Financial donations may be made in Jezelle’s memory to help carry on the work of “Be the Match” in finding compatible donors for others like our Jezelle who desperately need bone marrow transplants. More importantly, if you are between the ages of 18 and 60 years, please consider becoming part of the “match registry”, the test is painless and you could be the one who saves a life! For more information please contact http://www.marrow.org

A wake for Jezelle was held at 7 p.m., Monday evening September 10, at the Nespelem Community Center, with a mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m., Tuesday morning September 11, 2012. Burial will follow at Spring Canyon Cemetery in Grand Coulee, Wash.

An online register book will be available at stratefuneralhome.com. Strate Funeral Home of Grand Coulee, is honored to be assisting Jezelle’s family.