Marayah Monique Zuniga

Our beautiful 16 year-old Marayah Monique Zuniga held many titles. She was a daughter, grand-daughter, great grand-daughter, great great grand-daughter, sister, niece, cousin and friend. After one year and eight months of fighting, our warrior, princess, baby girl finally exhaled and is at peace. No more poking, medication, radiation or chemotherapy. On October 23, 2021 Marayah became one of God’s angles. Although her journey was long and trying, we can count on one hand the number of times she cried/complained. She faced each day with all the joy, laughter and grace regardless of what she was told her future held. She left us inspirational messages on how she wanted us to live. We are sure the next days/months/years will be tough but with her example we hope to make her proud like she did us.
Marayah was a straight A student at Franklin High School in Elk Grove when diagnosed with cancer. She played club soccer with IR Academy in Elk Grove and high school soccer and was the team captain for both. She took on the fight against cancer at St. Jude Children’s Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. She leaves behind her parents Nancy, Anthony and Randy and her siblings Kiana, Anthony, Mikayla, Juliet, Aiden and Sienna.