CHERI C. MELILLO

CHERI MELILLO Obituary

MELILLO--Cheri C. (Couture), born February 4, 1949, Muskego, WI, died December 26, 2009, New York City. Survived by husband Bruce E. Melillo, son Brion John van Over, mother Rosalind Couture and brother, Gary Couture, other family and friends. Funeral service 3pm, open casket viewing 12pm-1pm, closed casket viewing 1pm-3pm, and reception 4pm all at Marble Collegiate Church, 29th St. & 5th Avenue, January 5th, 2010, Reverend Steven D. Pierce officiating. Burial 11am, January 6th at St. Mary's Cemetery, Greenwich, CT. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Canstruction, Inc. at http://www.canstruction.org. Bio - BS degree with distinction from Northwestern University, Theater Major, 1971. Career encompassed Acting Career; 24 years as administrator of architecture and interior design firm Butler Rogers Baskett Architects, P.C.; and while employed at BRB during her membership in the Society for Design Administration (SDA) Cheri created and was Editor-in Chief of the SDA award winning news journal, SkyLines; instituted the SDA's Lunch-Time Tours and Administrative Round-Table program. During her tenure as the SDA's National Public Relations Chair she developed the internationally renowned food charity "Canstruction," which has donated 13 million pounds of food to local food banks since its inception. Serving as Volunteer President and Executive Director of Canstruction, Inc., for 17 years, while holding down a full time job, was a labor of love. More information on Canstruction can be found at http://www.canstruction.org and Cheri at http://www.cherimelillo.com

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Published by New York Times on Dec. 31, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
for CHERI MELILLO

12 Entries

Marcia Christensen

December 30, 2019

So, it's been 10 years now that Cheri has been away. I still miss her terribly! Many times I've said to myself I'll call Cheri she'll know what to do & then I remember I'm just going to have to figure it out on my own & bc of her I can. She would be proud of the progress of Canstruction, but would want more! That was just who she was & I'm a better person for it! I pray her family is at peace. I will never forget her...never❤

Rick Burd

January 29, 2010

I see that tomorrow, the 30th, this guest book will go off line. Another dose of reality that Cheri is not in the present with us, in body. I'm writing about Cheri (expanding on what I said at her funeral) If anyone wants a copy, I will be glad to share my thoughts of my dear friend of 38 years.

Stacy Rowland

January 21, 2010

The world feels diminished without Cheri's big personality in it. She approached every challenge with passion and enthusiasm. Her energy was infectious and inspiring. I'm a better person for having had the opportunity to know and work with Cheri through SDA and Canstruction.

Marcia Christensen (Jones)

January 18, 2010

Cheri was a dear friend and mentor through my Canstruction days and behind. Words just simply cannot express the love and utmost respect I had for this woman who tirelessly worked for the hungry and her family. I aspire to achieve the courage she had and will always honor her memory. I will miss her terribly. I know when she and I meet again, I will be ready for whatever work she has put aside for me....for I know there is no stopping Cheri Melillo!
Thank you, Bruce and Bryon and family for sharing her with us.
Marcia (Jones) Christensen (Houston, TX)

Marcia Christensen (Jones)

January 18, 2010

Cheri was a dear friend and mentor through my Canstruction days and beyond. Words just simply cannot express the love and utmost respect I had for this woman who tirelessly worked for the hungry and her family. I aspire to achieve the courage she had and will always honor her memory. I will miss her terribly. I know when she and I meet again, I will be ready for whatever work she has put aside for me....for I know there is no stopping Cheri Melillo!
Thank you, Bruce and Bryon and family for sharing her with us. My thoughts and prayers go out to all of you.
Marcia (Jones) Christensen (Houston, TX)

Carol Monahan

January 7, 2010

It is with great sadness that I hear of our beloved Cheri’s passing.

I first met Cheri in 1988 at an SDA meeting and was immediately impressed by her friendliness and professionalism. She made me feel welcomed and that is one of the reasons I kept coming back to the SDA meetings. Cheri was a mentor and model of what many of us strived to be. Cheri was the one to show the way.

Cheri was truly a driving force and I would often say that Cheri can do the work of at least five people. She was just one of those rare and brilliant individuals that could handle many complex projects at once and complete them flawlessly – no matter what they were. We worked together on several projects and I always learned so much.

Some of the best memories I have were when we went on road trips with other SDA buddies – Robbie Ralkowski and Ayala Malinovitz. Cheri was always the driver – she could get us anywhere. The sites, the restaurants, shopping, etc. the laughs and all the fun.

Cheri has left a legacy with Canstruction and her magnanimous desire to always help those in need.
I remember the vision Cheri told us about at last year’s Canstruction – the sunny meadow with beautiful animals – like a vision of heaven. I know Cheri is there enjoying all of this - she will truly be missed.

Peace,

Susan Appel

January 5, 2010

Other people were always first in Cheri's life. We spent many hours through the years talking about a wide variety of Human Resources challenges and her heart always led the way. We worked together finding the right people to fill jobs in the industry. She was enormously talented, creative and energetic. SDA, the way that we know it now, would not have existed without her many contributions. I kept telling her that she was larger than life and it was going to be difficult for us mere mortals who were going to have to follow in her footsteps. I will miss our talks. She was an important part of my professional life. I will think of her often.

Diane Breman, SDA

January 4, 2010

Cheri was just bigger than life with an ability to think out of the box and a determination to make things happen. To say she will be missed is an understatement. My condolences to Bruce, Bryon and her family on their/our loss.

Lisa Jolley

January 4, 2010

My deepest sympathy to Cheri's entire family, what an AWESOME woman she was. She had a zest for life that will never be countered.. Just knowing that she is gracing Heaven with her presence brings me great peace. I know that she will be watch as we all stack cans to continue her great legacy... God definitely broke the mold when he created Cheri!!

Rick Burd

January 1, 2010

Cheri was my dear friend from our Wisconsin days when I was 22 and she was 21. We "starred" opposite each other in a play. Shortly after, she went to New York and I pursued my dreams in Hollywood. Then, finally we reunited in New York in 1979. Cheri was always there for me, particularly when I first arrived in New York and she was there when I left abruptly in 1994. I will be in New york and will share my memories of my remarkable, one of a kind treasured friend.

Margot Paris

December 31, 2009

Bruce and Family,
Sincere condolences from Cheri's 'Canstruction Vancouver' family. Tens of thousands of Vancouver citizens receiving Greater Vancouver Food Bank help benefit daily from Cheri's vision, generosity and determination. She inspired us to achieve great things in the service of those experiencing hunger, and we will continue to do so in her honour. Margot Paris, Past Chair, Canstruction Vancouver

Camille (Bilodeau) Nemanic

December 31, 2009

Much sympathy and love to Bruce and all of the family. What a talented and classy woman Cheri was!

With sympathy,
Ed and Camille (Bilodeau) Nemanic and family

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