Jamie Marisa DeCosta

Born and raised in Merrimac, Marisa was a blessing from birth. A walking baby at 9 months, she was always trying to keep up with her best friend and big brother, Jason. They did everything together! Being entrepreneurs from a very young age, they were always looking for a way to make money, sometimes working in their room all day practicing magic tricks, rehearsing for talent shows, creating posters, and making tickets that they would later sell to their parents and any guests that happened to be visiting. Since they lived across the street from the Nativity church, they were able to capitalize on selling lemonade! One Sunday morning, unbeknownst to their parents, they charged church patrons $5 to park in their horseshoe driveway and have their cars washed while they were at Mass.

Marisa always had a kind, considerate, loving, giving heart. Not many children get in trouble for giving their toys away! These beautiful qualities have always accompanied her throughout her life.

Marisa had a way with all animals. They could sense her gentle, loving presence and gravitated to her. Even as a toddler, she would gently pick up bugs and hold them to her cheek with their legs kicking, and say, “Cute!” before placing them down again. She was always coming home with a hurt or abandoned animal, nursing it back to health and then releasing it. Squirrels, many birds, baby bunnies—all to be lovingly taken care of and then released. One day she showed up with a 2-liter soda bottle sporting about a dozen baby garden snakes. She kept them in an aquarium for the day before her mom drove her far away to release them.

Children also loved Marisa, and she loved them, making her a coveted babysitter, booking out weeks in advance. So as soon as she could, Marisa got a job working at the Before and After School program at Donaghue School.

She also was a talented dancer. Marisa could feel the music and danced as if it were a part of her. One summer she had the opportunity to perform in West Side Story.

And her voice! The octaves she could reach! She loved belting out Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey, among others. Her voice was absolutely beautiful! Funny story: Marisa started singing at a very young age and would stand on the railing of her good friend Janelle’s house across the street (right beside the church). The two little girls would practice singing opera at the top of their lungs! Fortunately, the priest was very patient.

While attending NECCO, Marisa got an apartment in Haverhill. When she needed a roommate, her best friend, Trevor, introduced her to his brother Corey. They were married the day after Christmas and in 2006 they were blessed with a beautiful boy, Carson. Marisa’s pride and joy!

Also, in 2006 she began working at Bradford Beach Club. Marisa loved the atmosphere, the clientele, and her boss. Although she was now working towards her bachelor's degree in Psychology, Marisa could see herself perhaps managing the salon one day. So, starting at the bottom, she learned each detail of the operation. By 2008, she had worked as a technician and receptionist, managed the front desk, and handled the bookkeeping. In 2017, she finally had the opportunity to buy the business. Bradford Tanning was her baby. Her clients became her friends. The Plaza became her community. She and Carson relocated several blocks away and enjoyed their daily walks to and from work. On school days Carson would get off the bus and come to the salon, where she would have a snack waiting for him. She was always so proud of Carson! Just as her mother had bragged about her, Marisa justifiably bragged about Carson and his loving, kind, considerate, giving nature.

Carson also loved the community of the Plaza and, like his mother, would eagerly help everyone as everyone cared about and helped each other. It truly was like a big family.

Throughout the past 5 years Marisa has been a true warrior! An inspiration to everyone who knows her. Everyone! Even her doctors would marvel at her strength and perseverance. She never complained and was always kind and caring toward everyone.

She especially wanted to make sure that Carson would be OK.

And it wouldn’t be right not to mention her rock and faithful friend since middle school, Trevor Robinson, whom she loved with all her heart!

Even during the hardest times, Marisa orchestrated our Sunday tradition of food, football, and family, choosing the menu even though she couldn’t eat. She said she loved listening to us and enjoyed all the smells coming from the kitchen while we prepared the meal.

Marisa passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 8, 2026.

She is predeceased by her father, Larry DeCosta; her father-in-law, Tim Robinson; and her cousin, kindred spirit, and sister since the womb, Shauna MacIntosh.

Words cannot describe how greatly she will be missed, especially by her loving son, Carson Robinson; her parents, Anna and Barrett Bacall; her brother, Jason DeCosta; her very best friend, Trevor Robinson; her mother-in-law, Cheryl Robinson; her stepdaughter, Coralynn Robinson; her faithful friend, Alyssa Lewis; her friend and cousin, Kristina Letendre; and her many aunts, uncles, and cousins.