Melissa Lavinia Coates

1969 - 2021

June 18, 1969 – June 23, 2021

Internationally renowned bodybuilding champion, fitness model, and professional wrestler Melissa Lavinia Coates, age 52 years, resident of Las Vegas, Nevada, passed away unexpectedly in her sleep due to complications of COVID-19. She fought valiantly against the virus which claimed her left leg in October 2020 and damaged her heart.

Melissa was born and raised in in Port Arthur (Thunder Bay), Ontario. She excelled academically and attended Pine Street School, and Port Arthur Collegiate Institute where she received the Silver Medal for high academic standing. She was awarded the Duke of Edinburgh's Gold Award and received numerous scholarships, and graduated from Lakehead University in 1992 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology.

An exceptional athlete, Melissa won the Mid-Canada Junior Girls tennis title in 1985. To improve her tennis game she started weight training and developed a passion for bodybuilding. She played women's rugby for Lakehead University and famously modeled for anatomy exams where labels were placed on her muscles for students to identify. Inspired by bodybuilding and wrestling champions of the era, Melissa transformed herself into a fitness and cultural phenomenon.

Melissa rose to fame in the early 90s as a pro bodybuilder winning the Windsor Physique, Eastern Ontario, Ontario, and Canadian women's bodybuilding titles. She was the rare bodybuilder to win their pro debut, winning the prestigious Jan Tana Classic in 1996, followed by a 9th place finish in the 1996 Ms. Olympia, and 6th place in the 1997 Ms. International. Due to her success she was ranked 9th in the world in women's bodybuilding. Melissa was featured extensively in fitness magazines including Muscle & Fitness, Flex, MuscleMag, Muscular Development, Iron Man, and Women's Physique World, and graced many covers.

After retiring from bodybuilding in the early 2000s, Melissa started her pro wrestling career by training with Hall of Fame pro wrestler Killer Kowalski. She would later compete in the WWE, highlighted by an appearance on Chris Masters' ""Master Lock Challenge"" as his only female opponent, and also wrestled for Impact Wrestling and throughout the independent pro wrestling leagues. From 2014 on Melissa performed as "The Super Genie", joining forces with legendary pro wrestler Sabu as his manager. She travelled extensively as she was sought after world-wide for guest posing, photo shoots, and wrestling events where she was delighted to meet with her fans.

Melissa was also an actress appearing in movies such as ""Nemesis 3"" and ""A Story About Ian"", and starred in the TV series ""Extreme Dodgeball"", as well as episodes of ""Montel Williams"", ""Jenny Jones"", and ""Action Bronson"", to name a few.

She loved animals, especially her childhood dogs Taffy and Silver. Initially looking to pursue a career as a veterinarian, Melissa took horseback riding lessons and worked at Highview Animal Clinic. She was very musical, played the piano and sang in choirs at PACI and St. Paul's United Church, and often broke out in spontaneous harmony with her siblings to songs like She Loves You, Feliz Navidad and Billie Jean. She had a witty sense of humour and loved entertaining. She had a kind heart, was a peacemaker, and lent her time and talents to charities.

Melissa is survived by her partner Sabu (Terry Brunk); brother Dr. David Coates (wife Patricia) of Amherstburg, Ontario; sister Mary Coates-Korpela (husband Kalvin Korpela) of San Diego, California; brother Dr. John Robert Coates of Windsor, Ontario; niece Kassandra Coates of Banff, Alberta; aunt Diana Coates of London, Ontario; and many loving cousins. Predeceased by her parents, Dr. William Robert Coates and Betty Claire (nee Snider).

A small group of Melissa's family and friends gathered for a memorial tribute lunch at Moonshadows restaurant in Malibu, California followed by a ceremony on the beach on Sunday, August 1, 2021. A celebration of Melissa's life is planned to be held in Thunder Bay in the fall of 2022.

Donations in Melissa's memory can be made to the Melissa Coates Award at Lakehead University; the Cauliflower Alley Club; the Amputee Coalition of America; or the War Amps.