The idea of writing out your obituary is ineffable to us and is definitely not something anybody wanted to do at this time, but as it stands, God needed you more and on March 2, 2023, you earned your wings to fly home to Him. You fought a brave battle, Marissa, and we are beyond heartbroken to say goodbye to you.

Dr. Marissa Lorraine Garza-Loza was born on May 19, 1980 in McAllen, TX to Elma Irene Garza and Baldemar Garza, Jr. Marissa grew up in La Joya TX and graduated from Edinburg North High School in 1998 and obtained her Bachelor's degree from UT-Austin in 2004. She possessed a zest for learning and continued to educate herself, garnering a Masters of Science degree from NYU in May of 2015 and a PhD from Northeastern University-Boston in April of 2019. Before starting graduate school, Marissa worked at a favorite place of hers, Tiffany & Co. Marissa eventually settled in one of her favorite spots to live in, Austin, TX where she worked for The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Marissa was a remarkable young lady who LOVED to travel, read, spend time with her family and friends, Halloween, anything fantastical like Harry Potter & LOTR, Seinfeld, Snoopy, 80's/90's nostalgia, other people's cats, her dog Merlin, and most notably, anything about Art & Urijah. All of these things are just a fraction of the marvelous being Marissa was. She was a loving wife, granddaughter, daughter, sister, cousin, niece, friend, but most importantly, a wonderfully doting mother to Urijah.

She is preceded in death by her maternal grandmother, Lillian Cardenas-Garza from La Joya, TX, paternal grandparents, Natalia Ybarra-Garza and Baldemar Garza, Sr.,and maternal uncle, Jose Luis Garza. She is survived by the loves of her life, Arturo L. Loza, Jr. and Urijah Ethan Loza; parents, Elma Garza and Baldemar Garza, Jr.; sister, Brittney Desiree Vela; maternal grandfather, Juan Lino Garza, Sr.; maternal uncle, Johnny Garza (Debra), cousin, Trey Garza; in-laws, Arturo L. Loza, Sr. and his wife, Dora; sister-in-laws, Monique Loza-Crispin (Luis) and Bionca Loza (Hector); nephew, Nicholas Crispin; and numerous other aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

Marissa, you were a love & light to everyone you knew, and because of this, our world was a more magnificent place for the past 42 years simply because you were in it. We will miss absolutely everything about you, but above all, will miss your beautiful face, endearing laugh, and gracious ways. We will be there for Art and will watch over Urijah to teach him everything you wanted him to know about you and the world. Godspeed to you, Marissa. We will meet you among the stars one day, but until then, we will never forget you and will love & miss you forevermore.