Melissa Ann Wright

Melissa Ann Wright (also known as Missy, and Mel), 40, died on September 16, 2010. Melissa was born October 22, 1969 in San Bernardino, Calif. to Linda Wright and Ronald Henry. She resided in Palm Desert, Calif. at the time of her death. Melissa also lived, worked, and attended school in the Los Angeles/Hollywood area for approximately 18 years, and lived in Portland, Ore. for approximately two years. Schools attended include College of the Desert, Los Angeles Valley College, where she earned an Associates Degree, American Academy of Dramatic Arts, and the Interior Decorators Institute. Melissa was an only child (one of a kind!), and was never married or had children of her own. She is survived by her mother, Linda; father, Ronald Henry; aunt, Helen Myers; her cousin, Heather Anthony (husband, Jeff); and nieces, Lydia and Emily Anthony, of Milwaukee, Wis. She is also survived by her aunt, Stella Henry of Bakersfield, Calif.; and many cousins. A private Celebration of Life was held in Melissa's honor in September. Melissa loved roller skating, ice skating, Color Guard ("that girl could really twirl a rifle!"), gymnastics, drama/acting, cooking (what a blueberry pie!), and her many friends. She has been called spiritual, and beautiful; was full of humor, sincerity, kindness, and words of wisdom; she had a loving heart, and "gave hugs felt all the way down to your soul." In honor of the six-word memoir (Not Quite What I Was Planning, Six-word Memoirs, 2008), Missy may have chosen some of the following: "Little bit Lucy, tempered by Ethel." "Maybe you had to be there." "Too optimistic for my own good." "The main thing is, I laughed." "Leap of faith; crap, no parachute." "So devastated, no babies for me." "Home Safe. Remember me with love." A suggested recipient for donations in memory of Melissa is The Mary Kay Ash Charitable Foundation, which supports women/domestic violence organizations, and women's cancer research and organizations. The online address is www.mkacf.org, where donations may be made electronically, and mailing address is PO Box 799044, Dallas, TX, 75379-9044. Linda Wright (Mother) may be contacted at PO Box 11212, Palm Desert, CA, 92255. After her death, the following message was discovered scrolling on Missy's computer screensaver: "God bless my friends and family. Thank you for their love and healing. Please let me fear not to Love again. --- And so it is…Amen."