Melissa “Missy” Lynn (Helaney) Przytulski, agę 59, of Fernandina Beach, Florida, passed away on Thursday, January 15, 2026. She is predeceased by her father, William Helaney and survived by her loving husband, Alex Przytulski; sons Ethan & Noah Przytulski; mother Sheryl (Prishmont) Helaney; brother Christopher Helaney; sister Megan (Helaney) Tedrick; dearest cousin Laura Prishmont; and many beloved aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.
Born to William and Sheryl Helaney on September 25, 1966 in Lakewood, OH, and growing up in Fairview Park, OH, Melissa graduated from Fairview Park High School in 1984 and from Bowling Green State University in 1989, with a BA in Design. Feeling a greater sense of purpose and wanting to share her kindness and patience to help shape future generations, Melissa went on to receive her Early Childhood Education Degree through Columbus Montessori, in Columbus, OH, in 2000. Her love and admiration for the Montessori method and Maria Montessori’s philosophy were evident in everything she did, and she touched the hearts of both the children she taught and the adults with whom she worked.
Shortly after becoming a Montessori teacher, Melissa moved to Southport, NC, where she met the love of her life, Alex, in 2004. Continuing her passion for teaching and helping others, Melissa also became a wife and mother in the years that followed. Through the numerous adventures and locations that she and Alex shared, Melissa touched an immeasurable number of people with her beautiful kindness and artistic expressions.
As a young woman, Melissa struggled with many health issues that persisted throughout her life. In spite of those issues, Melissa was always optimistic and loving. Melissa’s courage, strength, and optimism were an inspiration to all who knew her and she carried those attributes as easily as she did her love and compassion for those around her.
A lover of art and a gifted artist herself, Melissa pursued her hobbies throughout her life, most recently learning the craft of pottery with her new friends on Amelia Island, FL. Melissa had a love of cuisine, travel, and a curious spirit, the latter of which she passed along to her sons from a young age and continued to share with them through her inexhaustible support of their years in scouting.
Melissa loved spending time with her family in New York's Adirondack Mountains. Although she did not always posses the health for arduous hikes, having completed the Tupper Triad, Melissa was herself an accomplished hiker. Never one to be sidelined, Melissa had a love of skiing and exploring as much of the Adirondacks as she could. That included volunteering at the Wild Center Museum in Tupper Lake, spending Saturdays at the farmer’s market in Saranac Lake, or perusing art shops and meeting artists in Lake Placid and beyond. Never one to miss the natural beauty in things, Melissa equally loved the freshly fallen snow on white pine and balsam fir in the winter, and humming birds dancing in mid-air during the summer.
In addition to her family, friends, and hobbies, Melissa was mom to two Basset Hounds, Winter and August, who kept her company through the many trials and tribulations of her illness and brought her comfort on the days that few other things could.
Most recently, Melissa found herself calling Florida home where she loved trying new restaurants, spending time at the beach, making new friends, creating pottery and art, and bird watching.
Melissa was the most peaceful, patient, gentle, and loving soul that we ever knew and she will be deeply missed. There are no words to express the sadness and heartbreak that we feel for the loss of this angel that walked among us. Melissa’s spirit will live on in all that knew her, continuing to inspire kindness, patience, strength, and love.
A celebration of Melissa’s life will take place in the coming months. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Community Hospice and Palliative Care (of northeast Florida), or your local hospice center.
Born to William and Sheryl Helaney on September 25, 1966 in Lakewood, OH, and growing up in Fairview Park, OH, Melissa graduated from Fairview Park High School in 1984 and from Bowling Green State University in 1989, with a BA in Design. Feeling a greater sense of purpose and wanting to share her kindness and patience to help shape future generations, Melissa went on to receive her Early Childhood Education Degree through Columbus Montessori, in Columbus, OH, in 2000. Her love and admiration for the Montessori method and Maria Montessori’s philosophy were evident in everything she did, and she touched the hearts of both the children she taught and the adults with whom she worked.
Shortly after becoming a Montessori teacher, Melissa moved to Southport, NC, where she met the love of her life, Alex, in 2004. Continuing her passion for teaching and helping others, Melissa also became a wife and mother in the years that followed. Through the numerous adventures and locations that she and Alex shared, Melissa touched an immeasurable number of people with her beautiful kindness and artistic expressions.
As a young woman, Melissa struggled with many health issues that persisted throughout her life. In spite of those issues, Melissa was always optimistic and loving. Melissa’s courage, strength, and optimism were an inspiration to all who knew her and she carried those attributes as easily as she did her love and compassion for those around her.
A lover of art and a gifted artist herself, Melissa pursued her hobbies throughout her life, most recently learning the craft of pottery with her new friends on Amelia Island, FL. Melissa had a love of cuisine, travel, and a curious spirit, the latter of which she passed along to her sons from a young age and continued to share with them through her inexhaustible support of their years in scouting.
Melissa loved spending time with her family in New York's Adirondack Mountains. Although she did not always posses the health for arduous hikes, having completed the Tupper Triad, Melissa was herself an accomplished hiker. Never one to be sidelined, Melissa had a love of skiing and exploring as much of the Adirondacks as she could. That included volunteering at the Wild Center Museum in Tupper Lake, spending Saturdays at the farmer’s market in Saranac Lake, or perusing art shops and meeting artists in Lake Placid and beyond. Never one to miss the natural beauty in things, Melissa equally loved the freshly fallen snow on white pine and balsam fir in the winter, and humming birds dancing in mid-air during the summer.
In addition to her family, friends, and hobbies, Melissa was mom to two Basset Hounds, Winter and August, who kept her company through the many trials and tribulations of her illness and brought her comfort on the days that few other things could.
Most recently, Melissa found herself calling Florida home where she loved trying new restaurants, spending time at the beach, making new friends, creating pottery and art, and bird watching.
Melissa was the most peaceful, patient, gentle, and loving soul that we ever knew and she will be deeply missed. There are no words to express the sadness and heartbreak that we feel for the loss of this angel that walked among us. Melissa’s spirit will live on in all that knew her, continuing to inspire kindness, patience, strength, and love.
A celebration of Melissa’s life will take place in the coming months. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Community Hospice and Palliative Care (of northeast Florida), or your local hospice center.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Melissa Lynn Przytulski, please visit our flower store.
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