GILDIN -- Melissa, December 28, 1960 - April 21, 2024. Melissa was a devoted wife, mother, daughter, sister, and grandmother. Born on Long Island, NY to Ronni and Kenny Berman, Melissa had a lovely childhood surrounded by her parents and two brothers, Neil and Jamie.
She attended Lawrence High School, where she met and fell in love with her to-be husband, Billy Gildin, and started building a beautiful relationship with her future in-laws, Gloria and the late Herbert Gildin.
Melissa attended George Washington University to pursue her passion for teaching. After receiving her Masters in Special Education from Adelphi University, Melissa began her career as a Special Education Teacher at Woodmere Middle School. Melissa was a dedicated, loving and well-respected teacher for 35 years, and was the longest tenured teacher in the district at the time of her retirement. Melissa’s impact was felt both within the classroom, as a beloved teacher, and throughout the entire WMS community as the head of Student Council and the Vice President of the Teacher's Union. She taught with compassion and care, leaving her mark on hundreds of students and teachers.
In 2010, Melissa was unfortunately diagnosed with Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma. Through courage and strength, she fought for 14 years and was a true warrior in every sense of the word. Family was her everything and she was able to celebrate her three children's weddings, build incredibly special bonds with her four grandchildren, and experience 41 loving years of marriage with her high school sweetheart.
Melissa is survived by her beloved husband, Billy; her parents, Ronni and Kenny; her mother-in-law, Gloria; her children, Ashley, Tyler and Hunter; her son-in-law, Jonathan; daughter-in-laws, Zara and Danielle; and her grandchildren, Brody, Harlow, Izabel and Zander. Donations - UJA of New York (https://www.ujafedny.org/) and Stardust Jewish Fertility Foundation (https://www.stardustfoundation.org/).
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