I won't claim that Mel was my best or closest friend at Cal, or that we really stayed in touch, except for recent online interaction. What I can claim, and do know is that I knew that every time I did hang out with her, or heard from her it was always something happy, upbeat and fun. We all raise a plastic cup of keg beer (Genny) to the old days and to the memories of a great friend!

Mel,, I have known you since I was a little girl. I always thought the world of you growing up a few miles of each other and being on the bus having so many laughs, walking up the Dinsmore Hill when our bus got stuck at the bottom. When our bus got shot after it dropped you off and Jenny was still on it, and we still had that bus for over a year with bullet holes in it! My dad thought alot of your parents and misses them so much. Now your are with them in heaven. You are so sadly missed by all who loved you! May you rest in peace! We will see you again someday! Love, Gary and Nat

  Your smile and laughter I will never forget.   RIP

Such a shock.  My deepest sympathy.
Will miss hearing from you.  Your cousin
Nettie  Norwich Ohio

I don't have the words to express how deeply I will miss you Mel...you were my confidant, my cheerleader, but most importantly, my friend...you never judged anyone...when you loved someone, that was the only thing that mattered to you...you were a fierce friend and your friends were your family...I am grateful that I got one last hug and that we exchanged "I love you's" one last time, 4 days before you passed...you will remain forever in my heart...I was lucky and blessed to even know you...this world is a far worse place for the lack of your presence...til we meet again, my friend, I will treasure every memory

You wre a great person and a wonderful friend. You will be missed.

Melvin you were a great friend and legend that I met at college. You were full of spirit and always knew how to have fun.  I'm sure your in heaven doing the same. Your gone but NEVER forgotten. Rest in peace until we meet again.

Melissa was such a great friend to me and so many of us Delts at Cal.  She truely cared for all of us like a real sister.  I will always remember the good times we had.  Melvin may you rest in peace.

I haven't spoken to you in years Melissa, but I will always remember you with a smile on your face. Rest In Peace

Melissa, you will be greatly missed.  You were the girl all through school who was very spirited, fun loving and a joy to be around. After 12 years of school together and I can't think of one negative thing. We never understand the loss of someone so young and so suddenly. My thoughts and prayers are with your remaining family. May God grant them peace and strength.

You will be greatly missed by your Cal U family Mel.  Rest in peace.

I will miss you so very much Melvin. I was so privileged to be able to call you my friend. You represented all that is good in mankind, by you being yourself. May you rest in eternal peace and forever bask in gods love.

Ed and I were so saddened to hear of Melvin's passing. She was truly a gift to everyone. Her generosity, larger than life personality and smile will be greatly missed. Rest in Peace Mel.

Melissa...I have so many fond memories of you.  Crows Rock....that bright yellow car ya had.   I will never forget them wonderful times

Ed and I were so saddend to hear about Melvin's passing. Words cannot express our sympathy. She was truly a gift to the world, always giving to anyone, no matter what they asked. Her larger than life personality and smile will truly be missed.

Peace be with you my dear friend Melissa.  When July comes we will think of you, when October comes we will think of you, when November comes we will think of you, when December comes we will think of you, when February comes we will think of you.  Melissa most of all, we will always remember you as the fun loving, free spirited young lady who never meet a stranger, never spoke a mean word, and was truly a great friend and will be missed by the Shipley's, Tedrow's and Thomas's. We will always remember our fair Melissa from Crow Creek, Crabapple, Ryerson, Jacktown, PA.

You lived life large and that is how you will be remembered, RIP Melvin.

Mel, as we all knew her at Crazy Dave's, are going to miss her. Monday an Thursday pool is not going to be the same without you. You were one good shooter. From all of us we are fortunate to have had you pass thru our lives may god bless you an take care of those who have preceded you.

Mel, as we knew her at Crazy Dave's, are going to miss the down to earth person that you were. Every Monday an Thursday are not going to be the same without you playing pool. Girl you were up with the best in playing. Take care of the ones we miss up in Heaven. Until are paths cross again, goodbye Mel.

Miss you already Melvin. One of the most down to earth and like able people I ever met. YOTBOS  Mel

I can't even tell you how upsetting this has been for Bobby and I. Mel was one of the nicest, big hearted, and funniest people I've ever met.

I will always love and miss her.

To my dear, fetching Melvin, a gorgeous she-rake if I ever did see. I will miss your lilting tones, your nonsensical banter which always left me rolling with laughter, and your presence. I can honestly say I have never met anyone as kind, caring and generous as you. I am so thankful that you had a chance to meet my family,  and that we were able to spend time together at the campground near my house and in Disney. I will cherish those memories forever. Brett says he will miss you, but is happy that you will keep his grandpas company in heaven. And while you're at it, you and Matt Michaux should try and keep it down to a low roar up there - I can only imagine the shenanigans going on!! I will miss you my friend, but I'm thankful I have so many memories to fall back on, and I'll always hold you close in my heart!! Come and visit me anytime!! XOXO

All your friends at Cal U miss you already!!  You were one of the most friendly unassuming people I've ever met!!  It is a privilege to be able to call you a friend.

We were so saddened to hear of Mel's passing. She had become part of our extended family. Someone good and kind gone way too soon. May she rest in peace and light perpetual shine upon her. Until we meet again, you will be missed. "Aunt" Joanne and "Uncle" Joe

Mel was a wonderful person and would do anything in the world for anyone!  She also was one of the best cooks!! She would come to visit us in Bradenton on many holidays, X-mas, Easter, Thanksgiving. She considered us family--and we her.  We will miss her bright light!  Rest in peace Mel, and know we will see each other again someday. Love, The Hunters

Mel was a very near and dear friend to many of us.  She will be missed deeply by all whose lives she touched just being her.  She had a heart of gold and went above and beyond for all those she loved.  Her sudden death took all of us by surprise and as we grieve her passing so suddenly we need to remember all the good times and memories we have of her!!  

We're never really ready when a loved one leaves this world.  There's always so much left we want to say.  We long to turn back time and tell them all that's in our hearts.  We think, "If only I had one more day."  We catch ourselves recalling little moments that we shared and smile at every sweet "remember when."  We tell our favorite stories, and we laugh and cry and sigh, and somehow we feel close to them again.  We are never really ready when it is time to say good-bye, but slowly we accept what has to be, letting go of what we must but keeping those we love forever close to us in memory.

Melissa will always be in my heart and in my memories.  May her soul rest in peace.  I will miss her smiles, the sound of her laughter and all the good times we have shared over the years!!  I love you Mel!!

I am so sad at the sudden death of my friend "Melvin".  May she rest in peace.  Here's to sister Melvin.....

Melissa is deeply missed by her "family" and friends at California University of PA...  we've all been sharing our great memories of times spent together with her throught the years.  She was always a bright light and her sudden death deeply affected so many of us, and we share in your sorrow.

OBITUARY

Betty Melissa "Mel" Atkinson

24 November, 1966 – 11 February, 2013

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