12/06/2025
With unmeasurable sadness and pain, this page transforms from a place where people could read what was on Melissa’s mind to a tribute. She passed away in late May from a very aggressive and rare form of lung cancer. Melissa was not a smoker.
She lived life to its fullest and made everyone she knew feel that she was their best friend. Without question, she was mine. She had that power. She was always present when you spoke with her. She didn’t drift, nor check her watch. She just listened intently and offered advice only if asked.
She was a great and extremely caring mother. She had a natural tendency to want to take care of people. She was family first but also an adventurer. We jumped around a lot. There was always something to see. Somewhere to go. Life, as so many say, is too short not to live it. With that in mind, we packed up and moved to France while our business and personal lives were in full swing. New things to see and do. Why wait until retirement, you may not make it ," we’d say. We had no idea that we would prove the point.
I can’t describe the pain and loss I feel. I can only imagine that it’s the price I pay for how much I love her. She is my soulmate and now my soul feels as if it were torn out. I can honestly say that I wouldn’t change a moment in the last 24 years together. 22 of them (short by only one week) we were married. We never missed a moment to tell each other how much we loved each other. We spent almost 24 hours a day together for the majority of that time and still didn’t tire of each other's company. I miss everything about her but I can’t get her smile and laugh out of my mind. They both lit me up each and every time. She was my perfect match. We truly complimented each other. I do believe she brought more to the table but she was fine with my shortcomings. I could write for days, and years about her but this isn’t that. Just a way of telling those of you who knew her that she won’t be writing anything again. We are all poorer for that. I’ve recently heard that Grief is Love with no place to go. I like that definition. That's why it hurts so much. I have endless love for her but it’s crushing against my heart now instead of freely finding her. I love and miss you sweetie. My world will never be as bright again.
Photo of Melissa as I'll always think of her by Melissa Spiro
