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Melissa Lee DeHart
1974 - 2013
Melissa Lee DeHart
1974 - 2013
Obituary
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Melissa DeHart Obituary
She was born in Boulder, Colo., on July 6, 1974, and graduated from Estes Park High School in 1992. She studied broadcast journalism at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, and was working as a blogger and motivational speaker in California at the time of her death. Melissa dedicated her life to helping and inspiring those suffering from eating disorders and addiction. Her wit and positivity shed slivers of light to people in otherwise dark places. She was an exceptional writer, a lover of music, dance and all things fabulous.
Melissa is survived by her loving boyfriend, Danny Gatti of Simi Valley; her father Lee DeHart of Fort Collins; her mother Eileen Phillips of San Diego, Calif. She is also survived by her five siblings, Katies DeHart of Charleston, S.C., Megan DeHart (Gerlach) of Minneapolis, Minn., Ryan DeHart of Evans, Colo., Taylor DeHart of Fort Collins, Cameron Phillips of San Diego. She joins her grandparents, Berchman and Lorelei DeHart and James and Bertha Coughlin.
A memorial will take place on Jan. 26, 2014 at 2 p.m. at the Residence Inn by Marriott in downtown Denver. Donations can be made in Melissa's name at http://melissadehartdivamemories.mydagsite.com/the_story.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Gwen Gardner
May 27, 2021
I saw her on the Maury Pouvich Show. She lived 11 more years. Look how beautiful she became in her recovery! Connie Chung, met Melissa on the show. I know she must have been so very proud of her. She was beautiful inside, as well as on the outside. I myself, suffered from anorexia. Now, I have to live as an example to my beautiful 13 year old daughter. See in you in heaven sweet Melissa!
Vicky
June 24, 2014
I love you, Melissa. You helped me remember what I'm fighting for. God bless and keep you in His mighty hands. xo
Jennifer Passman
June 11, 2014
Melissa, We knew each other years ago in Lafayette when we worked together at the TV station. I am so sorry to hear that you are no longer with us but I know heaven is a brighter place with you in it. I am sorry we lost touch. My thoughts and prayers with your family as well.
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Jennifer
June 6, 2014
Melissa - I was so shocked to learn of your passing. We met at Rader and I am glad our paths crossed. Wishing your family comfort at this difficult time. You were an inspiration to me and so many others. Rest well now with the angels.
freddie clements
March 17, 2014
I met my angel in Naples fl T treatment when we filmed for entertainment tonight she helped me to save my life fly high my angel I love. You
Katie Noonan
March 10, 2014
Lee, I just heard about your loss. She was truly beautiful. I wish I could do something to help. Surely your heart is broken.....
Katie Burgess Noonan. Sandpoint, Idaho
Victoria Mathies
February 4, 2014
This is very upsetting to me I never met Melissa but we talked on the phone and she talked to me and because of her I am better and recovered from my eating disorder. She was my inspiration and I am so shocked to hear this happened to her... I have been keeping up with her story for years and I was never so proud of anyone in my life for fighting the fight... I love you Melissa
Renee Travers-Horner
January 19, 2014
My deepest sympathy to your mom and sisters at this time. I knew Melissa as a small child, who was deeply loved by her family.
January 18, 2014
Melissa and I had a history together, meeting in an eating disorder facility and then her coming to live with me in Florida. She was an inspiration to alot of people and will be greatly missed. I know you are dancing in heaven Little "M" as I called her. Thinking about you.. RIP my friend, Big "D" (DeAnna Bray)
Irma Torres
January 17, 2014
Love you...You are bright in Heaven my friend, Angel! Irma Torres
Me Just happy to have had a friend like you!
Irma Torres
January 17, 2014
Melissa I am very emotionally disturbed that you are no longer here with us. But I do know your life story has impacted many people in need of a hopeful outcome in the diseace of eating disorder/addiction. "Lissa", Angel, I gave you a small angel when we were inpt in Naples, Fl "The Willoughs at Naples" in the eating disorder unit. We talked and just, I prayed for us that we would over come this horrible disease. Anyway, I am still not wanting to believe you are gone. You are an angel now in heaven.
I'll miss you! R.I.P Love Irma Jeannette Torres
Kelly Hepburn
January 11, 2014
I didn't know Melissa personally, but have been inspired by her recovery. What an amazing woman and fighter. She is missed.
Luanne Baumann
January 8, 2014
God Bless you Melissa!
Luanne Baumann
January 8, 2014
I don't know how to put what I want to say into words...but Melissa touched my life in a very profound way. Thank you Melissa!
Luanne
Whitney
January 5, 2014
Melissa you are a joy, you never let me sit on a CVS curb by myself. : ) I wish you weren't gone so I could show you what I became.
Leah Staver
January 4, 2014
I am so sorry..Melissa inspired so many and was so kind to everyone,she was an inspiration to my daughter and always had a positive message.she will be greatly missed
December 31, 2013
Sweet, precious Miss Meliss,
My heart is broken as I still attempt to process that you are no longer with us. I have so many wonderful memories and your spirit to hold tightly on to. I will do that forever until we meet again. Love you. Elin and the bunnies
Sonya Hayes
December 31, 2013
Melissa,
Heaven gained a beautiful angel. You were a wonderful friend and i can't believe you are gone. I will miss reading your messages you would post about inspirations. Be sure to raise a little bit of hell up there but good hell
Ellen
December 31, 2013
Melissa I loved your glitter the Wednesdays when you came to the treatment center I remember you were the first one that I asked if I can eat certain foods when I got out of treatment God bless your family and friends and you
Jana(and E) Leday
December 30, 2013
To believe and understand of your passing at this point even, would be an understatement. So many times I want to reach out to you and see how you are, to joke around, or to see if u can help me with some things. You were always such a huge encouragement to me and so many. I wanted to get to know 'you and all that u are' even better. At times,you were such a reflection of myself in more than one way. Still, I often wonder so many times, did i encourage/support you enough as well; did I do enough as a friend..
I don't know still..but I try to keep my focus on where you would want me to.To hold to my faith and to keep fighting 'for life', health & happiness, and remembering all you taught or showed me.To remember who you were as a person even more.To paraphrase something someone shared with me:'Imagine if everyone who was impacted by Melissa's life tried to "be Melissa" for someone else in their lives-not just like her-but emulating one of her qualities.What an impact she would continue to have.'
You will forever be missed Miss Meliss, but in my heart..walking with me in spirit, still supporting me.I pray you are at peace now and you can be 'you' and the fabulous person u are.
My thoughts and prayers go out to the family and other friends as well. My heart breaks for you as well. I hope u can find some comfort thru all this as well.
Claire Smith
December 30, 2013
What do you say to someone who has touched the lives of so many with her words? I am in awe of your wit and wisdom, and deeply saddened by your death. Rest in Peace.
Carey Cronin
December 29, 2013
Melissa, You were an inspiration to many that knew you, you reminded us that giving up was never an option, you taught us that we deserve to be happy and healthy, and now that your gone it's hard to think of all those things. I will cherish in my heart the memories. I hope you are sparkling with glitter and all that jazz from heaven above teaching us all to be "brave" You will always be an inspiration to me.
Shannon Reichle
December 29, 2013
Every morning I open my Facebook hoping to see those inspirational words to keep my on my recovery path. It's hard to believe you are gone. Even though I didn't know you in "real life" you inspired me. Rest in peace sweet girl. I am thinking of your boyfriend, family and friends that all miss you so so much.
Fiora Wood-Vallez
December 29, 2013
It's still so hard to believe you are gone, and my heart is broken. I swear the song "Brave" is on the radio more than ever before, and it takes my breath away because I can't listen to it without thinking of you.
You are in Gods hands now, where there is no more suffering and no more pain.
I often reminisce ...when we were kids, dancing to Madonna and making our own music video to Michael Jackson.
I will love you always. -Fee
Nancy Lytle
December 29, 2013
You inspired and gave strength to many. May you find your own peace now.
Audrey Curley-Chiles
December 28, 2013
Let the light shine on in memory of my dear friend Melissa.
December 28, 2013
I will always remember you as one of my dear friends, the one that could always make me laugh, even when I didn't want to laugh.
My thoughts and prayers go out to your family and all of your friends who will miss you so much.
I love you Melissa
Amanda Hoag
December 28, 2013
Melissa was a pillar of light for so many. Her wisdom, grace, and encouragement inspired so many. Melissa was a mentor for me during my own recovery. She is missed. <3
Rhonda Jones
December 28, 2013
I will remember you and your wisdom each day of my life. You will never be forgotten Melissa and I hope you realize the mark you left on this world and the lives you saved.
Dena Crawford
December 27, 2013
Miss Meliss! Such a classy fabulous sparkly girl! I will never forget how you could light up a room! Heaven is no doubt just a little more sparkly now! Rest in peace sweet girl!
Brianna Price
December 27, 2013
You were the one that proved to me that life mattered. That I couldn't give up on myself because you wouldn't let me do that. You were the one to get me into PSH treatment center. Picked me up from train station and everything. Your forever in my thoughts. I know no matter what you will still be watching over all of us, making sure none of us give up on ourselves. Love you Melissa. Stay fabulous!
Love Brianna <3
Adrieke Osmun
December 27, 2013
Love to you my dear friend. You will be missed by so many, cherished by us all. Memories of you will always hold a special place in my heart. Fly with the angels Mel!
Kimberly Harlan
December 27, 2013
Such a beautiful angel to be lost so early in life...keep heaven beautiful and full of grace because the good lord needed you more then us, we will always love you and hold you in our hearts!
Reza Reza
December 27, 2013
I will continue with what you started.
angels on your pillow.
Reza Reza
December 27, 2013
Love Always Sissy.
Amanda Grasser
December 27, 2013
I am still finding it hard to make myself believe that you are gone.....It doesn't seem like it can be real. I miss you and will forever miss you....I must take comfort in knowing that you no longer have to battle anything or anybody ever again.... you just get to be fabulous without any sort of chains.... I love you, my Puddin' Swirl Girl....
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