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1939 - 2020

BORN

1939

DIED

2020

MELISSA SHOOK Obituary

SHOOK, Melissa Melissa Shook was a documentary photographer, artist and educator. She was born on April 18th, 1939, in Manhattan, NY the daughter of Robert C. and Sophia Strunk Shook, stepsister to Richard Samms. She attended Bard College, the Arts Students League and studied photography with Minor White. She relocated to Boston to teach at MIT's Creative Photography Lab. From 1979 to 2005 she taught photography at UMass Boston.

Melissa's photographic work reached a large audience with numerous exhibitions and publications. Her poignant images of Boston's homeless people and those of the backside of Suffolk Downs, are among the many subjects close to her heart. A devoted single mother, she documented her biracial daughter's life from the age of one to 18. Images from this ?Krissy' series were acquired by the Museum of Modern Art in New York, NY and the Fotografiska Museet, Modern Museet, Stockholm, Sweden. Her photography and other artistic achievements can be viewed at

www.melissashook.com

Ms. Shook was diagnosed with a glioblastoma in January, 2019 and died on August 27, 2020 in Chelsea, MA. Her kind and artistic spirit is dearly missed. Her family and friends thank Dr. Dietrich and the team at MGH. Memorial Service to take place after the pandemic, in both Boston and New York.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Boston Globe from Sep. 16 to Sep. 19, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for MELISSA SHOOK

29 Entries

Kristen Joy Emack

June 22, 2024

Melissa will always be my biggest influence and the one I remain indebted to. A very prolific artist and a humble soul. I´m grateful to have known her- to have once considered her a friend, and to have learned from her at such an important time in my life. I´ll never forget her.

Gary Schubert

March 1, 2024

I have vivid memories from the workshop she taught at Maine Photography Workshops. She was a very talented artist and teacher. I´m sad to hear of her passing.

Laura Blacklow

September 19, 2023

I think our values and activism aligned.
I always trusted Melissa.

Jeanne Gillespie

September 10, 2023

Remembering Melissa, my friend, and the best, wisest, most delightful teacher I ever had.

Paula Rhodeds

September 10, 2022

I will never forget Melissa Shook. She was strong and caring. May her memory live one through her work.

Laura Blacklow

September 14, 2021

For as long as I knew Melissa, she always was looking at (with her camera) and looking out for the marginalized (with her activism). We worked on booklets for economically disadvantaged, such as "We Need A Change!" and others. Yet, she also produced deeply personal pieces, such as her photos of her daughter and a self-published booklet of words and self-portraits on a family home in Queensland, Nova Scotia.
Melissa also was a friend.

CYNTHIA BAUKNIGHT

August 5, 2021

This wonderful woman featured my story in her book "Streets are for Nobody", She was a most caring woman regarding the plight of other people, especially the disadvantage, truly missed.

Bob Herrick

March 12, 2021

My passion for photography continues over all of these decades, due in great part to Melissa's inspiration and support

Pat Routhier

March 3, 2021

So sad to hear the news of Melissa’s passing. We met many years ago when she would come to Nova Scotia to visit her father, Bob and Step-mother, Mary. We had many great visits over the years and I always enjoyed hearing the stories of her road trip with my cousin Barbara McInnis from Boston to Nova Scotia.

Shane Crabtree

January 10, 2021

Melissa was a great support to me when I was doing a complicated art project. She was a great listener and encourager!
I hope the lovely Krissy is doing okay

Laura Blacklow

January 9, 2021

Melissa was an intelligent, unconventional, and generous person. We shared art, politics, and friends.

Jesseca Ferguson

Planted Trees

Lorena Turner

September 22, 2020

Melissa was my first formal photography teacher, and became a good friend in the years after that. She was kind a supportive and the environment she created in her classroom is something that I still carry with me as I try to do the same in my classes (I have been a photography educator for 20 years, in large part because of her). I will miss her terribly, but know that I will always have her in my heart.

Jim Anderson

September 21, 2020

Oh! How we loved Malissa. She was part of our chosen family along with her daughter Krissy. She was such A devoted friend and we would all talk for hours. She would always be documenting something in our home or with us . She made us beautiful little books. We shared holidays and everyday things. We miss her and she was special and so comfortable to share so much time with. Her honesty was so real and open. Malissa, you are so missed and loved deep in our hearts

Kristina

September 21, 2020

I am so sorry to hear of Melissa's passing. She was an amazing woman. I had the pleasure of knowing her through UMass Boston. She was my photography professor. She was encouraging, supportive, empathetic, and thoughtful. I was happy that I was able to reconnect w her on FB after all these years and follow her on IG & FB. She had an impact on how I "see" things & I will always remember her. I am grateful that I was her student for many years. My condolences to all Melissa's family & friends. We are better people for knowing her.

AlenMacWeeney

September 21, 2020

I was sorry to learn of her death from Pat Peterson, her cousin. I know we met in a professional capacity years ago at the New York Times, when I feel sure I photographed her very lively and engaging daughter for Fashions of the Times, and may have also photographed Melissa then too. We were the same age. I also exhibited my work at the MIT Photography gallery with Manuel Bravo when she was working there. My condolences to the family. She was a fine photographer.

Luke

September 21, 2020

Melissa was the most inspirational, challenging and wonderful teacher I’ve ever had. I remember transferring to MassArt after 2 years at UMass and missed her every day and wished she were still a regular installation in my life. I’m so sad to learn that she is gone. She will always be a force in my life and I’ll remember her always.

Rashelle Straker

September 21, 2020

Oh Melissa! Thank you for showing me how to view life behind my camera lens so I can understand it better and to let others understand me better. Thank you for always using photography to give me sound advice when I needed it! It’s because of you why my Life has changed so much for the better! I have a husband and a son - we are all well! You’d be proud! We made books the other day. I was so resistant to it. Thanks for pushing me to be a better version of me! Rest easy Melissa. You’re smile will now light up the world!

Jeffrey D Brown

September 21, 2020

Melissa taught photography and filmmaking at Dalton and set my on my life path to be a filmmaker. I was literally thinking about her two days ago and wondering how to get in touch with her. She was amazing, affirming and utterly kind. She had a depth of compassion which is so rare. She will be missed. I would love to be in touch with her daughter. I can be found on Facebook , Jeffrey D Brown

Jeanne Gillespie

September 21, 2020

I worked at U. Mass in the early 80's and took three semesters of her photography class there. In my ridiculous accumulation of classes over my lifetime (16 years worth), she was the most dear, wonderful teacher I've ever known. I'm so sad to find that she is gone. My deepest condolences to her family. She was a kind, funny, supportive light to all her students.

Simone Taylor

September 20, 2020

My sincerest condolences to your family for the loss of your loved one, Please except my deepest sympathies.

Shane Crabtree

September 20, 2020

I miss Melissa. She encouraged me in my work and collaborated with an art project. She was humble and giving and fun.

Paula Rhodes

September 20, 2020

I miss knowing you are living in this world. You will not be forgotten and loved and admired by many. Your daughter and your work are the legacy . Your heart went into your work and I am sure into teaching. Fare thee well, friend.

Peter Meyer

September 20, 2020

I, and many other Dalton School students, loved Melissa.

Karen Van Welden-Herman

September 20, 2020

I met Melissa while taking Contemporary Practice class taught by Cathy McLaurin at the Essex Art Center in Lawrence, Ma. The conversations with Melissa were always interesting. She shared her films and ideas. I still have a small painting she made of an Olive Oyl doll resting against a Starbucks cup. I have thought of her often. I am so sorry for your loss. She will be missed. Wishing you peace.