Martina Gisela Rolli

Martina Gisela Rolli—A Life Well-Lived, Well-Traveled and Well-Loved. When I met Martina some 14 years ago, one of the first things she told me was that her name meant "She who likes to fight." And fight she did till the very end, heroically, against a frightful foe called oligodendroglioma. Sadly, she fights no more. In the company of dear friends, Martina passed away in the evening of Saturday, January 11th, in the company of dear friends. Martina was filled with a zest for life. She loved the outdoors and was a proud member of Florida Trail Association. We went camping and hiked together as much as possible during our first carefree years together, and I must admit I had a hard time keeping up with her blistering pace. I still remember the thrill she had one moonlight hike when we came across our first glimpse of a rare and beautiful pitcher plant—a protected flower here in Florida. The hiking nickname I helped pick for her was “Tree Hugger”—an appropriate moniker for her charming propensity to hug the largest trees found within the Split Oak Forest Preserve, our favorite hiking destination. Horseback riding was another passion of hers. After years of lessons, Martina and I took part in our first competition against a field of about 40 riders, most of whom having far more experience than both of us combined. While I ended up with a conciliatory medal given to anyone who participated, Martina rode away with a big grin on her face and the third place award in her hand. A few years after our marriage, mysterious signs of trouble began to emerge. Martina could fearlessly board any theme park ride in the past, but after taking a spin on a roller coaster at Busch Gardens Tampa in the summer of 2005, she began to feel dizzy and nauseous. A few months later, Martina had to begin slowing down a bit on her rigorous exercise routines. It seemed any motion that jerked her head quickly, like a rapid series of sit-ups, made her feel disoriented. By May of 2007, the hearing in her left ear gradually became distorted, leading Martina to get an MRI done to check for potential damage. It was then that a brain tumor was detected. Martina fought back with all the fury her oncologists allowed her to unleash. First surgery, then an aggressive chemotherapy treatment that she was on and off for the next seven and a half years. And even with all that going against her, Martina was up and hiking the mountainous Black Forest area of Germany with her family a mere six weeks after brain surgery. Martina refused to give in and continued to work as a full time accountant for the next three years. Yet the tumors continued to grow, slowly forcing Martina to relinquish so many of things she treasured like her career and beloved horse, Jack. Even hiking through uneven, sandy Florida trails became too treacherous as the dizziness in Martina's head increased. Anyone who knew Martina would not be surprised to hear that she continued to fight on. Adjusting more and more to a life indoors, Martina became a tenacious reader—a paperback book or her trusty Kindle seemed to be somehow glued to her hands while she rested in bed. Travel was one passion Martina never gave up. With time running short, we set off on a hectic, epic journey around the world that led us to Paris, Rome, Pompeii, New York City, Las Vegas, Philadelphia, Honduras, Belize, Mexico, Saint Martin, Jamaica, Hawaii, Canada, Sicily, Greece, Monaco, Oman, Seychelles, Madagascar, Mozambique, Tanzania and South Africa to name a few. Just in the last 16 months of her life, we traveled to 16 countries, plus Boston, Maine, Daytona, Savannah, Utah, Nevada and Alaska here in the U.S. during that same time period as well. From the Taj Mahal in India to the Grand Canyon in Arizona, Martina was determined to see it all. So many times after someone spoke to Martina for the first time, they would be shocked to hear that anything was wrong with her. Her positive attitude and ever-present smile made it natural for a stranger to quickly become a new friend. Martina was never the type to complain or feel sorry for herself. Her internal strength is still hard for me to comprehend. Despite multiple brain tumors, chemotherapy, radiation treatment, stomach and mouth ulcers, migraines, dizziness, failing kidneys, thyroid issues, skin problems, extreme fatigue and taking more than 40 pills a day to combat these illnesses, Martina greeted every morning warmly and went to bed at night happy. She kept busy the entire time she was awake—knitting, crocheting, investigating stock and investment opportunities, meeting someone for lunch, watching movies with myself or TV with her son, Martina never allowed a minute to go to waste. She followed a dynamic, adventurous path. Yet, she was equally at peace at home, especially when friends and family gathered to be with her. Martina would not allow herself to be defined by her medical condition—she defied it with every ounce of her being. Because of this, hers was a life well-lived, well-traveled and well-loved. She will be buried in her wondrous hometown of Ingelheim, Germany, near the banks of the mighty Rhine River. It gives me comfort to know that Martina will soon be home, resting along side her recently deceased mother, Gisela. She is survived by her husband Loran, son Brendan, sisters Susanne and Sabine, brother Thomas, father Martin, cousin Andrea and an army of friends Martina gathered over her short life of 49 years. I had the most wonderful thought a few nights after her passing. As I struggled for sleep, I saw Martina in her prime, ready to hike and travel to the next great destination. I hope Martina is somewhere out there hiking and happy and singing her crazy German marching songs along with to her mother. While I haven't had cause

Martina Gisela Rolli

January 31, 1965 - January 11, 2015