Jasmine Merlot Maida

MADISON- Jasmine Merlot Maida, age 23, began her eternal life on Thursday, May 26, 2022. Jasmine Merlot was born on June 9, 1998, to Allison Mullee and Aaron Maida. She was raised with her younger loving brother, and best friend, Isaac. Jasmine graduated from St. Maria Goretti Grade School, Memorial High School, and received a culinary degree from Madison College. Her love language was cooking - she came up with amazing flavor combinations not expected to work together, but Jasmine's gift of seeing things artfully was her trademark, especially in the finished presentation.

Her artistic flair came through in everything she did: sketching, sculpting, painting, sewing, carving, and doodling on anything and everything. She had a fashion sense all her own, and could make anything look good on her, but Jasmine knew beauty was not skin deep and always saw people for their true essence.  She loved to sing and dance to the beat of her own drum, on her terms and time. She was tough as nails, but also a kind, gentle soul willing to do anything for anybody; she was loyal and trusting to a fault, a great friend. Always up for an endless debate, no one ever had to wonder what was on her mind…

On the Death of the Beloved

Though we need to weep your loss,
You dwell in that safe place in our hearts,
Where no storm or night or pain can reach you.

Your love was like the dawn
Brightening over our lives
Awakening beneath the dark
A further adventure of color.

The sound of your voice
Found for us
A new music
That brightened everything.

Whatever you enfolded in your gaze
Quickened in the joy of its being
You placed smiles like flowers
On the altar of the heart.
Your mind always sparkled
With wonder at things.

Though your days here were brief,
Your spirit was live, awake, complete.

We look towards each other no longer
From the old distance of our names;
Now you dwell inside the rhythm of breath,
As close to us as we are to ourselves.

Though we cannot see you with outward eyes,
We know our soul’s gaze is upon your face,
Smiling back at us from within everything
To which we bring our best refinement.

Let us not look for you only in memory,
Where we would grow lonely without you

You would want us to find you in presence,
Beside us when beauty brightens,
When kindness glows
And music echoes eternal tones.

When orchids brighten the earth,
Darkest winter has turned to spring;
May this dark grief flower with hope
In every heart that loves you.
May you continue to inspire us:

To enter each day with a generous heart.
To serve the call of courage and love
Until we see your beautiful face again
In that land where there is no more separation,
Where all tears will be wiped from our mind,
And where we will never lose you again.

- John O’Donohue, To Bless the Space Between Us

In lieu of a wake, a visitation/viewing will be held at ST. MARIA GORETTI PARISH, 5313 Flad Ave., Madison, starting at 9:30 a.m. until the time of the Holy Mass at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 4, 2022. Participation inside the church is not limited, and all are welcome. A procession to RESURRECTION CEMETERY, 2705 Regent St., Madison, will be open to all and will leave the church parking lot at 12 noon on Saturday. She will be laid to rest alongside her beloved uncle, Jonathan Mullee, a true friend and kindred spirit.

Memorials to the family may be mailed c/o Gunderson Funeral Home, 2950 Chapel Valley Road,
Fitchburg, WI 53711. Thank you to all who supported us with prayers. You will be remembered and cherished at the Holy Mass. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson Fitchburg

Funeral & Cremation Care

2950 Chapel Valley Road

(608) 442-5002