1978-2018
Melissa passed away peacefully on June 19, surrounded by family, at her home in San Francisco. She celebrated her 40th birthday in April with many dear friends who will remember her radiant smile, mischievous sense of humor and relentless pursuit of happiness. Often on the go, Melissa was a seasoned traveler who also enjoyed playing soccer, snowboarding, baking, camping and flying around with friends in tiny planes.
Born in Cincinnati, Ohio on April 18, 1978, Melissa graduated from Oak Hills High School in 1996 and received her BBA (Marketing and Real Estate) from the University of Cincinnati in 2001. After relocating to San Francisco, Melissa joined Tishman Speyer as a Leed Green Associate RPA. She was an avid supporter of JDRF, volunteering, raising awareness and fundraising for T1D research as the captain of the SF One Walk team “Pain in the Pancreas” from 2004 to 2017.
Melissa was the youngest daughter of Karen (Dan) Nowlin and Timothy (Jill) Nolan, sister of Molly (Greg) Layshock, and aunt to her favorite person in the world, Alistair Layshock. Melissa was preceded in death by grandparents Vera and Carl Goetz, Catherine and Frank Nolan, and aunt Patricia (Nolan) Daley. She is survived by her great aunt Adele Goetz, aunt Elaine (Keith) Brown, uncles Richard Goetz and Michael (Georganne) Nolan, cousins Mary Kay and Jennifer Spellman and Randy Nolan.
A celebration of life will be held at the San Francisco Columbarium on Friday, August 3, 2018 at 2pm with a reception to follow at Lindley Meadow in Golden Gate Park. For Cincinnati family and friends, a celebration will be held at the Drees Pavilion at Devou Park on Sunday, November 18, 2018 from 1:30-5:30.
Donations in her memory may be made to UCSF or JDRF per the links below.
