Melissa (Millicent) Gryczka
Melissa (Millicent) Gryczka
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Melissa (Millicent) Gryczka Obituary
A woman of deep intellect, humor, and boundless generosity, Melissa divided her time between Manhattan and East Quogue, New York and Galveston, Texas-each of which she made brighter with her presence. She leaves behind countless friends across the country and around the world who mourn her passing and celebrate the extraordinary life she lived.
Melissa's academic and professional accomplishments were considerable. She studied at Fordham University and St. John's University, where she earned a Masters of Pharmacy degree, and went on to help shape the healthcare industry not only as a practitioner but as a leader and advocate. As co-creator of the Healthcare Businesswomen's Association (HBA), Melissa worked tirelessly to advance the role and recognition of women in the business of healthcare.
Later in life, she pursued studies in ESL teaching at Columbia University, ultimately taking those skills to Myanmar, where she taught English to Buddhist monks. Her work there helped empower young women in an orphanage she helped establish-ensuring they, too, could access education and opportunity.
In Galveston, Melissa was an active member of the community. She gave her time generously, volunteering with the Grand Opera House, the Galveston Tree Conservancy, the Galveston County Food Bank, the Galveston Historical Foundation, and as a Galveston County election poll watcher.
She cherished her Zen garden, a cocktail or two in good company, deep conversations-especially political ones-and most of all, the joy of being surrounded by friends.
A memorial service will be held on September 5 from 4-6 PM at Rathwell Funeral Home in Hampton Bays, New York.
A Celebration of Life in Galveston will be announced at a future date. In the meantime, raise a glass with friends and share stories, laughter, and memories of Melissa. That is how she would have wanted to be remembered.
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