Melissa Bailey

1954 - 2016

With family by her side Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2016, Melissa Bailey, 61, of Concord, peacefully crossed the Great River to join her parents. After many years of health concerns, she succumbed to complications following recent surgery.

She was born on Nov. 7, 1954, moments after her identical twin sister, Anne, to Horace "Chip" Bailey and Jean (Lyford) Bailey. She grew up in Bow, attending schools there and graduated from Concord High School in 1972. She was married for a time to Scott Stebbins of Concord.

Melissa lived in New Hampshire throughout her life and enjoyed all the beauty of the state in her travels. She worked as a highly skilled administrative assistant at the State of NH, Office of State Planning, for the law firm of Hall, Morse, Gallagher & Anderson, NH Profiles Magazine and NH-DHHS Child Care Licensing. She was a prolific reader, however she missed her calling as a professional proofreader. As a member of the Professional Organization of English Majors, she was quick to spot any spelling or grammatical errors in all that she read.

She enjoyed Calef's cheddar cheese that made the roof of your mouth itch, loved all cats and kittens and always looked forward to her annual cat-sitting vacation for her friend Tom. She was a member of Post 21 and the American Legion Women's Auxiliary there. She shared her infectious laugh and firm opinions with a great many friends. Her friends and family were her support network, all of whom she cherished. She had a big heart and helped those in need as best she could. During the holidays she often volunteered at local kitchens to prepare and serve dinners.

Melissa was predeceased by her parents and is survived by her siblings, Scott with wife, Pati of Bow, Anne with husband, Dennis Murphy of Center Harbor and Matthew with wife, Michelle of Bow; and her devoted brother, Bruce Bailey of Hooksett; as well as aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. She will be greatly missed by her fellow Legionnaires especially her caring and reliable friend, George Neville of Webster.

The family expresses their gratitude for care and assistance from the ICU Staff, nurses and attendants at the Concord Hospital. Phaneuf Funeral Homes and Crematorium are assisting with arrangements.

There will be a gathering for friends and fellow Legionnaires to celebrate Melissa's life at Post 21, located at 7 Perley St., Concord, on Saturday, Nov. 12, at 12 noon; bring a favorite dish. The family will gather at a future date.

As much as she loved them, in lieu of flowers, Melissa would want you to make a donation on her behalf to the Pope Memorial SPCA, 94 Silk Farm Road, Concord, NH 03301, at popememorialspca.org/donate/, or to the American Diabetes Association, 10 Speen St., 2nd Floor, Framingham, Mass., at diabetes.org/.