Michaela Gaetjens

Michaela Rae Gaetjens, 10, daughter of Ray and Theresa Vermette Gaetjens of Limerick, died peacefully Tuesday, November 4, 2003, at her home. She bravely fought mitochondrial disease all her life; it finally took over all her body systems, and she has gone to Heaven to be with her Papa and her God, where she will sing and dance with the angels. Michaela loved school, and she attended Waterboro Elementary School through third grade. Her one-on-one educational technicians, Stacy Jette and Vicky Anderson, made it possible for her to be included in as many activities as possible. She especially loved going to the library and her lively music classes.During the summer, Michaela attended Camp Laughing Loon with her in-home supports. She loved all the activity of her typically-developing peers; her favorite part was Camp Sing. Michaela truly enjoyed being outside; the deck at her home was her favorite place to be after school, reading and listening to music. Michaela's favorite books usually had lots of rhyming. She loved all of the Froggy series, On the Day You Were Born, Giraffes Can't Dance, The Little Band, and Oink, Moo, How Do You Do? Her favorite singers included Raffi, Rick Charette, Amy Grant, Tony Bennett, and Kathie Lee Gifford. But her most special tapes were those made by her Aunt Mary; they were listened to for many hours at home, on the way to appointments, in the ambulance, and in the hospital. They provided great comfort to her. Michaela was involved in fundraising for the Maine Center for the Blind, the United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation, and the Jason Program. She went on her Make-a-Wish trip in April, 2001, to Key Largo, Florida, with her family and friend, Jessica. She played with the dolphins at Island Dolphin Care for five days and loved every minute of it. In Michaela's short life, she affected many people.Besides her parents of Limerick, Michaela will be missed by her brother, Remington Paul Gaetjens; her sister, Riley Victoria Martinez Gaetjens; her Mimi, Elaine Vermette, and Aunt Nancy King, all of Limerick; her Grampa Paul and Gramma Lu Gaetjens of Los Alamos, NM; her special Unky, Kevin Vermette and Aunt Kerry Vermette and Ellen, Jill, Thomas and Isaiah, all of Alfred; Aunt Victoria, Uncle Brian, and Jackson Cabral, of Portsmouth, RI; Uncle Dominic, Aunt Cynthia, Jenna, Nicole, and Anastasia Vermette; Aunt Mary, Uncle Josh, Aleah, Lunara, and Josie Graham, all of Limerick; Aunt Mari and Madison Gaetjens and Uncle John Gaetjens of Los Alamos, NM; and Uncle Paul Gaetjens of Albuquerque, NM. She also leaves her special nurse, Shannon White, and special friend, Taylor Prendergast, who took care of her for many years through the progression of her disease. Many other friends, relatives, caregivers, and therapists will miss her sense of humor, smile, and beautiful spirit. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Jason Program, a children's hospice program that supports families of children with life-limiting diseases, located at Saco Health Care Center, 13 Industrial Park Road, Saco, ME 04072Visiting hours will be Wednesday, November 12, 2003, from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m.at Heald's Funeral Home in Springvale. A Celebration of Life Mass will be held Friday, November 14, at 10 a.m. at St. Matthew's Catholic Church in Limerick.