Mari Parsons, age 62, passed away suddenly on March 31, 2024. She was born in Alberta Canada on June 24, 1961, to Dr. Frank Parsons and Kathleen McAuliffe. Mari was of Catholic faith and a devout Christian. Her home is filled with angels, which is something everyone will definitely remember her by.
Mari received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Sociology from the University of South Florida. She went on to receive her Juris Doctor distinction at Southwestern Law School in Los Angeles, California. She then enlisted in the United States Air Force as a Jag before being honorably discharged after sustaining injuries from a car accident. After her military career, she continued to practice civil law for nearly 40 years. She was invested in her community and dedicated hours and hours of pro bono work for the underserved.
Mari was known for her infectious, outgoing personality and was always up for having a good time. She embodied doing what she loved, whether it be riding her motorcycle, boating, camping out on the islands, learning how to skydive, enjoying new restaurants where she’d order every appetizer on the menu, going to concerts like Reggae Rise Up in St. Pete or relaxing and enjoying a beautiful Michigan sunset from her back porch in Whitehall.
She enjoyed traveling the world and experiencing new things. She instilled that in her children, whom she took to Ireland, England, Australia, Costa Rica, and many cruises from a very young age. She was fortunate to visit all 7 continents in her lifetime, after her most recent 40-day cruise that went to Antarctica. She was in the midst of planning her last bucket list destination to South Africa. This part of her life is highlighted in her written last wishes that expressed her desire for the “kids” and certain members of the family take a 7-day cruise in her honor. She truly lived a full life.
While all that was how many people knew her; what she should be most remembered for and her true legacy she leaves behind is the impact she had on people from all walks of life. Mari spent her entire life dedicated to helping children born into bad situations at no fault of their own. She dedicated countless hours to cases involving divorce, abuse, drugs, and children in harm’s way with no motive other than to give those children a better chance at life, which they deserved. There is a reason everyone calls her “Mother Mari.”
She will be joining her mother, Kathleen McAuliffe, sister, Kathy Rabach; father, Dr. Frank Parsons; brother, Frankie Parsons; her long-time dog, Haley, and many of her close friends whom she missed dearly.
She is survived by her husband, Stanley “Stan” James Brosko. Her sons, Skylar Viviano and “Baby” Hayden Viviano, her brother, Bill Parsons (Bridget Parsons), Gregory Zimmerman, who was like a son to her, step-son, Stanley J. Brosko Jr., and her beloved dog Riley.
While Mari will be forever missed, we know she flies high with angel wings. Mari always said she “loved love”, and we hope you find comfort in knowing she loved each of her friends and family so deeply. She left nothing unsaid and made sure she told each person how much they meant to her. We hope that each of you will honor her memory and leave nothing left unsaid. Take the trip, enjoy the water, sit and soak in the sunset. Tomorrow is never promised.
The family will receive friends Thursday, April 11th, 5-7:00 p.m. at St. Lukes Catholic Church, Micco, Florida.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be Friday, April 12th, 11:00am at the church.
Bike Honor Ride following the funeral to Sebastian Cemetery.
Service live stream: https://youtube.com/live/fkVpldXPsuU?feature=share
Arrangements entrusted to Strunk Funeral Homes & Crematory, 1623 North Central Avenue, Sebastian, FL 32958.
The family gratefully appreciates prayers, condolences and memories shared with them via online guestbook at: www.strunkfuneralhome.com.
