Our WHY

Dr. David Marcantel’s beloved mother, Rebecca Marcantel. Rebecca Bragg Marcantel was married nearly 50 years and was a mother of 6. She was a gifted interior designer & artist. She loved art, music, and her home. All who knew her were drawn to her energy and wisdom. Her Catholic faith, husband Dulvas, 6 children, and 17 grandchildren were her true loves in life!

“God has given us eternal life, and this is in His son.”  John 5:11

Bridget was a 48-year-old wife and mother of two, an active community participant, and a beloved friend to many. She died peacefully on December 30, 2014, surrounded by her family after a 15-month battle with ovarian cancer.

Bridget was born on January 20, 1966, in Cambridge, N.Y. She grew up in Hooksett, N.H., and attended Hooksett Public Schools. She entered St. Paul’s School as a freshman in the fall of 1980. She excelled as an athlete, captaining the field hockey, basketball, and lacrosse teams. Bridget went on to Dartmouth College, where she captained the women’s lacrosse team, earning MVP honors as a senior.

“Bridgey was always thinking about other people, picking out cards throughout the year or shopping for them when something reminded her of them,” said John Jenkins. “She was very thoughtful and loved and cared for everyone.”

Carmen had ovarian cancer and passed 14 months after diagnosis. Her care at Celebration and by Dr Holloway and staff at Adventist South was exemplary.

Carmen was an investigative journalist in Romania, and published under her own byline. She wrote for most of the large papers in her country and also for TV. She knew basically anybody who was famous in the country including the President and all the Olympians, tennis and soccer stars. She was very progressive, fighting against the mafias and corrupt former Communists. Carmen was also a math wiz and engineer. She became an American citizen just a few months before she passed. She loved American history and was fascinated by our Constitution, the Bill of Rights and how everyday Americans viewed their Government.

She considered Americans the most fortunate people on earth and always laughed when American journalists reported how Europeans disliked the U.S. She said that if we opened our borders Europe would be empty, “That’s how much they hate us”. She thought that anybody who advocates socialism should have to live under Communism like she did for 40 years. She was part of the revolution in her country and was on the main square when communist thugs broke into the protests and beat people to death. She would point out places in Bucharest where people were tortured and bodies of students were burned. Carmen was fearless and fought hard for life, both hers and others, and for basic human freedoms.

Beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, cousin, and friend, Nancy Janosco, age 64, passed away on Friday, February 28, 2021. Formerly Nancy Florence Kiernan, she was born in Malden, Massachusetts, attended Malden High School, and then attended North Adams State College where she received her bachelor’s degree.

To all, and in the full grace of God her Lord and Savior, Nancy was a beaming light that illuminated all darkness. Love and devotion to serving others were the ways in which she chose to live. Her faithfulness in spreading her kind and generous spirit showered those around her with unconditional love and warmth. She prayed, she loved, and she gave.

While residing in Celebration, Florida she was a longstanding member of Corpus Christi Catholic Church, and she enjoyed life’s truest blessings of spending time with her husband and children, and watching her grandchildren grow, play, and learn. She enjoyed lunches and dinners out with family and friends at local eateries, and visiting the Disney theme parks where she magically inspired those to dream and hope. During her summers in Old Orchard Beach, Maine, she and her husband spent their
time hosting family and friends, creating unforgettable, longstanding memories on the beach and pier, and savoring sunsets, full moons, and nature’s sounds and landscapes.

Andrew Rypien should have turned 24 this year and been playing with his nephew Mekhi, and hanging out on the lake with his sister Angela, and cheering for his niece Malayah at her volleyball game! He should have been able to attend his sister Amber’s wedding last February. Sadly, he was robbed of his life and they were robbed of having their brother & uncle here with them.

Andrew died of pediatric brain cancer at age 3 in 1998. He is survived by his mother Annette, father Mark, sisters Amber & Angela, and many other friends and family members that miss him every day!

TJ was 10 years old when he was diagnosed with Gliomatosis Cerebral, a rare & untreatable form of brain cancer. Despite this diagnosis, he lived life to the fullest.

So many community members reached out to help TJ’s family create fun, happy memories, and this truly kept the family going.

It is in TJ’s memory & honor that The Over the Moon Foundation reaches out to help other warrior families during these painful times. The “Over The Moon” Foundation was created after TJ’s favorite saying of “I LOVE you to the moon and back!” He said this as long as his mother Krissy can remember.

Born to this Earth, Sept 19, 2003 • Born to Eternal Life, May 29, 2012

From the day he was born, Noah was described as a light. An old soul, he was always “smiley” and always kind. He was a thinker. Noah was invited to all of the boy’s birthday parties as well as the girl’s. Everyone who crossed his path knew that he was special and different. He led by example, even at his young age.