Hugh Grima writes:

It is a given that the Grim Reaper is nobody’s friend. Death becomes even less palatable when it is untimely. The shocking news of Mariella’s passing away filled me and so many of her friends with utter sadness and disbelief.

Mariella never moved mountains, nor did she change the course of history, local or otherwise. Mariella, however, had that one rare quality, appreciated by everybody and yet bestowed only on the very few – a mix of effervescence, joie de vivre and genuineness, a quality which left everyone who knew her bask in that feel-good factor which invariably followed upon meeting her.

It may have been her mesmeric, twinkling green eyes or her throaty, compelling laugh which drew people towards Mariella, or it may have been her unassuming ways, or her appreciation for beautiful things, all these and more made her truly loved and I for one shall miss her sorely.

Her strong sense of family bonding was all pervasive. She adored both her parents and her only sister Claudia. Following her father’s death, the trio became inseparable and it was always a pleasure to meet them and share in that glow of togetherness.

The love she showed her mother and sister shall be the shield to protect them and help them carry on.

You are now happy and safe in the Lord’s arms.

Au revoir dearest friend.