Honoring Melanie Marie Caligiuri

Our minds will still talk to you, our hearts will still look for you, but our souls know you are at peace.

On October 16, 2023, we all lost a beautiful, brave, and benevolent woman. After a week in the ICU with unmatched family/friends and honorable doctors/nurses by her side, God relieved her of her suffering.

Melanie was a fierce, strong, and kind-hearted woman. Everyone who knows her would describe her as a “fighter,” and in the last two years, she showed us what that meant.

Starting in October of 2021, she began having unexplainable symptoms that were only later connected to a diagnosis of Stage 4 colon cancer. After her surgery in December of 2021 to remove the mass found, she immediately began chemotherapy and did so for 6 months. We celebrated her remission in July 2022 and have been by her side for an entire year as she continued to go through numerous exams and tests to continue to rule out signs of recurrence. On September 11, 2023, Melanie had another major surgery, which included a complete hysterectomy. Only a month later, Melanie heroically fought to get herself and her youngest daughter out of the car after hitting a tree and plummeting into the San Joaquin River. What we know at this time about the incident is a testimony to her determination, resilience, and love for her family.

Melanie leaves behind her Husband of 15 years and three beautiful kids: her youngest daughter (5), who she heroically saved, her only son (23), and her oldest daughter (27). Melanie also left behind a bonus child whom she raised, her little sister (30). Melanie’s love was unconditional, and her family is vast. Her unwavering love, kindness, and compassion for everyone she interacted with was special and something you don’t see often.

We are so grateful that in her time of need, there were good samaritans with hearts of gold to selflessly jump into action. At this time, we have become informed of three individuals who were at the scene of the incident that made the ultimate and unparalleled decision to sacrifice themselves to rescue Melanie and her 5-year-old daughter. Eddie Gerardo "Topollo" Cervantes Lora lost his life in a true act of heroism that helped bring a little girl home. Individuals like Topollo, with such empathy and compassion, are sent from heaven. We are thankful for the three individuals' strength, courage, and dedication to the welfare of others.

Words are not enough to thank all those involved in bringing our sweet baby girl to shore. Although we have lost Melanie since the incident, we will always be thankful that she was given an opportunity to fight one last time for a chance at living a full life.

We want to fulfill her wishes as we lay her to rest and kiss her goodbye one last time.

Our family is currently asking for donations to help cover the cost of medical expenses and funeral/memorial costs.

Thank you, and we would appreciate any form of support, including sharing this link with anyone you know.