Vanessa Larae (Christie) Larocca

This week we will honor the life of my beautiful sister, Vanessa LaRae (Christie) LaRocca. Ever since she was a child, Vanessa had an amazing gift of being able to connect with anyone who crossed her path. To know Vanessa was to love her, there was never much choice in the matter. She made a point to make you feel like a million bucks, even on your worst days. You could feel her giving spirit and open heart when you were around her. If you weren't convinced at first, she could win you over with her radiant smile and laugh. As my older sister, she always walked in front of me, showing me who to be and who not to be. I didn't know a love more fierce than the love she had for me, and our entire family.  Vanessa did not have an easy path in life, but nevertheless she fought every day for the people she loved;  to make their lives a little brighter. I know that her fierceness made our parents, John William Christie and Vicki (Sapp) Christie (deceased) very proud. Vanessa was also preceded in death by our grandmother, Marlene Sapp, our grandfather, Arthur Clemenson, and most recently, our beloved brother, John William Martin Christie. She leaves behind a loved and cherished step-daughter, Vanessa LaRocca (Austintown, OH); her only niece, Addison Christie, who was the apple of her eye; her sister, Tiffany Christie and a man who showed her what it was like to be loved for who she was, David Stanley. Vanessa belonged to a big family, many of whom she was very close with; her grandfather, William Sapp, grandmother, Rosemary Christie Clemenson and many Aunts, Uncles, cousins and friends. Vanessa was a bright woman and an incredibly hard worker—she knew what it meant to hustle. She spent most of her career as a loan processer, working at various banking establishments. She often told me she was smarter than the people selling the loans that she was processing, and I am certain she was right. Anyone that knew Vanessa knew of her love of food, music and sports and if Vanessa loved it, you were hearing about it. She loved to cook for people, but even more than that, she loved to eat. She could regale you with tales of her favorite coffee creamer, cookies, cake, pasta, salsa, etc. She was an avid music fan and loved the Foo Fighter's (particularly Dave Grohl ), Nirvana, and the Black Keys , just to name a few. Sadly, she was also a die-hard Steeler's fan and waved her terrible towel with pride. She always cheered on Ohio State as well. Visitation will be held Thursday (May 4, 2017) from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Thorn-Black Funeral Home, Cambridge, where funeral services will be held Friday (May 5, 2017) at 11 a.m. with Father Robert Borer officiating. She will be laid to rest next to our parents and brother at Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Cambridge, Ohio.

Thursday, May 4, 2017 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Thorn-Black Funeral Home Cambridge 139 S 9th St Cambridge, Ohio 43725

Friday, May 5, 2017 11:00 AM

Thorn-Black Funeral Home Cambridge 139 S 9th St Cambridge, Ohio 43725