Melissa was the most determined woman I ever met. We became coworkers in 2022, and I watched her start nursing school in 2023, all while raising her two children, Hunter and Hadynn, as a single mom. In May 2025, Melissa learned her breast cancer had returned, and she faced a harsh new round of chemotherapy and radiation. Despite the challenges, she persisted in her studies and completed her clinicals, and I had the honor of pinning her at her graduation in August.

As Melissa’s illness progressed, her children became her full-time caregivers. They drove her to Phoenix for treatment at the Mayo Clinic and supported her through every step, putting their own lives and work on hold. In the last six months, they were by her side constantly, helping her through the effects of brain metastases and the complications of chemotherapy. Tragically, Melissa’s treatment led to pulmonary emboli and pneumonia, and after a difficult stay in the ICU, she was transitioned to hospice care and passed away peacefully on December 5th. Hunter turned 18 just four days after losing his mother and is still in high school.

Melissa’s greatest wish was for her children to have the best chance at life. Now, as they face the future without her, I want to help them cover funeral expenses and rent for a few months so they can grieve and find their footing without the immediate stress of bills. I hope you’ll join me in honoring Melissa’s memory by supporting Hunter, Hadynn, and Shelby—whether through a donation or by sharing their story. Your kindness can help them find stability and hope during this heartbreaking time.