Melissa Shapiro Patterson

May 1, 1964 - April 26, 2025 Melissa Shapiro Patterson passed peacefully on April 26, 2025 in Pasadena at the age of 60, surrounded by her family. She was diagnosed with cancer on March 6, and fought valiantly to the very end. Melissa was the only child of loving parents Elizabeth Hughes of Storm Lake, IA, and Sidney Shapiro of Philadelphia, PA, both of whom predeceased her. She was born in Washington, D.C. and raised in San Diego. She attended Patrick Henry High School and has life-long high school friends. She developed a passion for theatre and drama during her time at PHHS, where she performed leading roles in musicals. Melissa attended and is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Pomona College, where she majored in Philosophy, Politics and Economics, and where she also developed life-long friendships. Following graduation, she worked as a paralegal for Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher in Los Angeles. She met and fell in love with her husband, Dick Patterson, in 1986. They married in 1989 and lived continuously in Pasadena, together raising four wonderful, kind, and accomplished children, Taylor Patterson of Brooklyn, NY, Sarah Patterson of New York, NY, Charlie Patterson of Brooklyn, NY, and Caroline Patterson of Ann Arbor, MI. Melissa was an active volunteer throughout her life, including for Polytechnic School, the Junior League of Pasadena, Westridge School, All Saints Church Children's Choirs, and most significantly, the Pasadena Guild of Children's Hospital Los Angeles. Given a choice of location, her favorite places were at the dinner table with her family (she was an amazing cook), in the stands at a Polytechnic School sporting event, at home watching a Dodger game or a Duke basketball game, or in a seat at a Broadway show or a University of Michigan musical. Her children share all of her passions. Melissa was a beautiful and brilliant person and cared deeply for her family, her friends, and her community. She is survived by her loving husband and children and her cousin Patti Slay. Services will be held at All Saints Church Pasadena on May 20, 2025. The family asks that memorial gifts be made to the Pasadena Guild of Children's Hospital Los Angeles, City of Hope, or the University of Michigan – Friends of Musical Theatre.