Melissa Stafford Mackay

September 21, 1941 - April 29, 2023 On April 29, 2023, Melissa Stafford (Hetzel) Mackay passed away in Valley Glen, California, at the age of 81 after a long battle with an illness that never claimed her gentle nature and gratitude for life.
Melissa was born in Nyack, New York. She was a member of the first graduating class of Glen Rock High School in 1959 and a graduate of the University of Vermont. At the urging of her sorority sisters, she entered the Miss Vermont pageant and was named Miss Vermont in 1963.
At the Miss America Pageant she was awarded the Best Popular Vocalist scholarship which earned her a spot on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. Following college, she joined the Lee Hale Singers on The Entertainers, a variety show starring Carol Burnett and Bob Newhart.
As television production moved from New York to Los Angeles, Melissa was called to work on the Dean Martin show as one of "Dean's Girls". In later years she toured with Burt Bacharach and Danny Kaye, sang with Supersax and the L.A. Voices, The Inner Voices, and in the chorus for many live Oscar productions. As an accomplished studio session singer, she sang on hundreds of film scores including Hello Dolly, Good Will Hunting, Apollo 13, Edward Scissorhands, Amistad, The Little Mermaid and other Disney film scores.
Mackay is remembered by colleagues as "a beautiful spirit with the loveliest of souls, loved by everyone with whom she worked - for her talents, her sweetness, her professionalism".
The name Melissa means "honeybee". True to her name, Melissa brought sweetness into the world, wherever she went. She was a natural-born beauty, musically gifted, skilled at performing, and celebrated in her long, distinguished career. She also devoted 50 years of her life in service to her dear husband, Dave Mackay, acclaimed jazz pianist, composer and beloved partner.
But above all, there is one treasure Melissa valued the most - her faith relationship with Jesus Christ. She believed in Him as her personal Lord and Savior and always looked forward to the day she would meet Him face to face in Heaven. That glorious day has finally come! She's celebrating now with loved ones already there. Hear her sing, "Don't cry for me. Days of darkness are done!" She reminds us of this: "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life." John 3:16, Melissa's goodbye grace note.
Melissa was preceded in death by her husband, David, her mother, Eloise Wilson, and father, Richard Hetzel. She is survived by her sisters Bonnie Jaffe of Medfield, Massachusetts and Heather James of Hayden, Idaho, nieces Rachael Jaffe-Tocco of New Orleans, Louisiana, Brenda Dawson of Brentwood, California, Marilee Muench of Grangeville, Idaho and nephew David Jaffe of Medfield, Massachusetts.
The family extends a huge thank you to her loving caregivers, especially John "Denver" Alima, who showed professionalism, dedication and compassion on an extraordinary level.
A private burial will be held at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Glendale. Donations may be made in Melissa's memory to the Jewish National Fund (jewishnationalfund@jnf.org) or a charity of your choice.