Honeoye/Colorado Springs, CO: Unexpectedly, on March 16, 2017, at age 40, April Sunshine Moore (Marrapese) passed from this earth. Predeceased by her grandparents, Alfred & Rose Marrapese and Carl & Anna Burak. Survived by her daughter, Brittany Rose Moore (fiancée Eric Smith) of Hornell; her parents, Richard & Marusia Marrapese of Honeoye; her sisters, Patricia (Eddie) Bello of Endicott, Erika (Matt) MacWilliams of Baton Rouge, LA, and Roseanna (Robert) Lewis of Rochester. Also survived by her Godparents Patricia Burak & Bill Prusinowski, a niece & nephew, aunts & uncles, cousins, and many dear friends.
Those who knew her best would describe her as a vibrant adventurer with a zest for life. A gymnast, a cheerleader, a soccer goalie, and an equestrian, her athletic abilities were unmatched. April had a breadth of skills and experiences, and she never shied away from a challenge. Professionally, she was a seasoned and dedicated paralegal for Americorps in Bath, NY, a position she held for many years before journeying across the country to Colorado. She was a mother, a sister, a daughter, and a friend, and in each of these roles, her love knew no bounds. She was happiest when she was exploring all that nature had to offer in the great outdoors, surrounded by the souls who loved her most—those who she referred to as her “earthbound angels.”
A Memorial Service and Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, April 29th, at 11 am at Calvary Community Church, 4045 East Henrietta Road, Henrietta NY, 14467, all are welcome. Arrangements entrusted to the Kevin W. Dougherty Funeral Home Inc., Livonia-Honeoye, NY. To send a condolence and for further information please visit:
www.doughertyfuneralhomes.com
There are no words. I am glad to see the strength that you guys have taken to advocate for April and what she endured. My heart goes out to the entire Marrapese family. We will never know why, but educating the world on various medications and their effects, is definitely positive outcome of such a tragedy. My deepest condolences and love!
To our family, friends, loved ones and all those who knew our dear niece, Apryl. Our hearts grieve with you and the sadness washes over us all. We have been lifting all up in prayer for comfort, understanding, faith, patience and mercy.
It is said there is no greater grief than the loss of your child. In our mortal incarnations, most likely we will never be able to make any sense of this tragedy. As Paul stated in his Ist letter to the Corinthians 13:12 “For now we see through a glass darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as I am known.”
We have certainly been encouraged by the outpouring of love and compassion and prayers that have been posted. Apryl impacted more lives than she could possibly have realized. It is evident that she had a great capacity to love.
There is a famous poem from Poet Laureate of England Alfred, Lord Tennyson (1849) titled In Memoriam, that has two lines in it that are often wrongly mis-applied to romantic love, “ ‘Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all ” (Canto 85, lines 1595-96).In fact, this emotion was written upon hearing of the death of his dearest friend. He wrote this masterpiece In Memorium to honor his friend.
As our sister, Pat, aunt, mother, god mother, advisor, and friend to so many, stated so beautifully: “We will hold Apryl in our hearts forever”. The journey for Apryl was quicker than most and we are trusting our Heavenly Father to hold her in everlasting peace until we all meet again.
On a last thought, I am drawn to Thomas Gray’s……Elegy written in a Country Churchyard. (18th C poem) asking us in his very special way to honor those who have passed and guides us to remember them always, even though there may be no mighty monuments or markers or buildings with their name on it.
Lines 53-56
Full many a gem of purest ray serene,
The dark unfathom’d caves of ocean bear:
Full many a flow’r is born to blush unseen,
And waste its sweetness on the desert air.
Apryl, you were a gem and flower still blooming, sadly the rest of the world will not get to enjoy your beauty and your fragrance. But for those of us who knew you well, we will endeavor to continue sharing that fragrance in your memory. Sleep well and be at peace.
With love to all,
William and Michele Burak
“You in others – this is your soul…your immortality…your memory….This will be you – the you that enters into the future and becomes a part of it.” Boris Pasternak penned these words in his Nobel prize novel, DOCTOR ZHIVAGO, as he comforted his mother-in-law on her death bed.
Apryl will live on forever in those whom she touched – her friends, her family, customers who appreciated her caring attention…roommates,lifemates.
The Ukrainian Catholic tradition remembers those who have passed with a beautiful refrain, “Eternal memory” (“Vichnaya Pamyat'”) Apryl will be eternal in the memories we all have of her passionate engagement with life.
We will hold Apryl forever in our heart, as we held our godchild for her baptism in our Ukrainian Catholic Church 40 years ago, and her memory will be eternal. God is holding her now in the eternity which awaits us all.
April’s passion to be a Paralegal for those without a voice was an admirable endeavor with eternal rewards. Her passion so beautifully mirror’s God’s own heart:
“Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause.” Isaiah 1:17
“Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.” Psalm 82:3-4
April’s light, a reflection of God’s own heart, continues to shine so bright that even physical death cannot extinguish it. Like a butterfly who is free of its cocoon, her soul’s desire has taken flight and it soars on the winds of righteousness, in perfect harmony with the One Who made her and Who loaned her to earth for a while.
Wow what a shock I grew up with April when I was in high school she was part of my crowd it’s just shocking to see that she passed I can remember riding my three wheeler to her house a bunch of times
I send all the light my soul is capable to generate to Rick & Marusia, Apryl’s fiancee, daughter and siblings and all those mourning her loss. May April travel in light and be a beacon for all who loved her in this life.
I’ve known April for many years. She was one of my dearest and closest friends. I am so sorry to hear she is no longer with us. I know that she is in Heaven, shining down on all of us. She was such a beautiful girl with a sweet soul. I have enough memories of April to fill my heart and keep her memory alive, until I see her again. Although she is not here, I know she she is still with us. May God bless her family and her beautiful daughter. I pray that you will all find peace and rest easy that she is in good hands. I know she loved each of you so very much! God bless you today, and always.
Erika and Family,
Although I did not know April personally, I feel your pain in loosing a mother, sister, daughter, and friend, way too soon. Looking at her beautiful smile, I know she was just like all of you…full of life and laughter, My prayers go out to all of you. I pray you will find some peace in knowing she is with our Heavenly Father, and know watching over all of you. She may be gone from this earth, but will forever live in your hearts and memories. May God bless you always.
Erika, please accept our deepest and most profound sympathies, to you and all your family. You’ve lost a treasure.
Sincerely,
Greg & Julie Gauthier
Baton Rouge, LA
We remember April well having watched her grow up and play sports with our daughters. Such a shock to hear of her death. Know that our love and prayers go out to you Rick and Marusia, to her sisters, her daughter and all her knew and loved her. We will most remember her long wavy locks, boundless energy and her effervescent smile. God be with you.
Vince and Maggi Masci and family
I remember with joy watching the beautiful Marrapese girls grow into vibrant young women. Our hearts are full with the joy of April’s life and the grief of her loss. May you find comfort and peace.
Dearest Moore and Marrapese families..I am so sorry for your loss…Apryl was certainly a beautiful person inside and out..I met her last year when training at First Source in Colorado Springs, CO…..her spunkiness and fearless personality radiated in everything she did…I knew her briefly yet it feels like a lifetime…she LOVED so much and her quirky unique self was so special…I am going to miss her so much…as a mother that lost her own son it’s unimaginable to go through this..sending blessings and prayers…Deepest Sympathy , Ruthie Poncar-Wakefield…
Dearest Marrapese & Moore Families, and of course our own Roseanna & Robert Lewis:
My heart goes out to you and yours. Having a sister pass so young is something that just SHOULDN’T happen. Our family had a similar passing too young with my sister Sherrie, a mother of 6 children, the youngest only 9 years old.
Here in California, our families will be praying for your families that God’s love and tender mercies be yours during this time of tremendous struggle and pain.
My deepest sympathy to you Trish and your family and friend at this painful time.
How sad I was to learn of your sisters death. If she was anything like you,
she was quite a wonderful woman!
Godspeed,
Kimberly
My condolences to the family of April. She was a sweet girl. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
This woman had a profound effect on me. I only met her once. We laughed, cried and shared a big hug. She became a part of my service human movement. She was truly a service human. She gave of herself to others without expecting anything back. My condolences to her family during this extremely difficult time.
Prayers to those left behind. May you find comfort in His Arms
Love and blessings to the Marraprese and Moore families. An army of angels are sending their love and prayers to you and Apryl. Thank God for the love and light she shared with all she loved.
Our prayers and heartfelt condolences go out to the Marrapese family for the loss of their beloved April.
April, you were absolutely beautiful, smart, had the biggest heart and you loved hard. I miss you every single day and not a day will go by where I don’t think about you love.
April was a dear friend to our family. She called me her Colorado mom. Like so many of her friends I loved the bear hug I received each time I saw her. I cannot express the sorrow I feel at her passing. The only thing helping my pain is my faith in God and Jesus. I know April is in heaven with loved ones gone before her. I have a picture in my head of her in heaven with loved ones and pets she loved over the years. They are all together again enjoying the peace and love of our dear savior. I don’t know how any of us, family and friends will ever recover from the loss of losing one of our most precious earthbound angels. I will continue to pray for us all asking God and Jesus to help us cope with the emptiness we are all feeling.
Sending our deepest condolences to the Marrapese family.
I had a chance to work with April for awhile at the Marriott. From the moment I meet her I liked her. She came into do her paper work and I was short handed I asked if she could stay and help without hesitation she was told me yes. As the weeks went by I noticed how kind she was to everyone and always willing to jump in and help. Am going to miss my Snapchat buddy but most of all her smile and hugs she always had and gave when I seen her.
My heart hurts for all of her family and friends. Apryl was my co-worker and friend and she was amazingly caring and loving. I am shocked to hear of the news that she is gone now, and I know that heaven has one of the most bright and sunshiny angels now! She left way too soon, and only she knows why she went, but I know she is going to be forever watching over all of those she loved. I am so sorry for everyone dealing with this heartache now. She is happy now, and that is what we must hold on to. Rest in peace my friend. You will always be remembered.
Dear Marisa and Rick, so very sorry for your loss. This obit is wonderful, vibrant, full of life and achievement. I join your family in mourning April’s celebrated soul. Still remember laughing when she was born, over the moniker you chose. Now think of her as your sunshine. May the Lord carry you through the rest of your days missing her. And I know all the Burak’s are holding one another today in disbelief.
My deepest condolences. Gloria
The world could not afford to lose such a beautiful soul.