Melissa L. Oxley

Bridgewater - Melissa (Missy) Oxley, 41, of Bridgewater passed away peacefully surrounded by her loved ones on August 6th at Vibra Hospital in New Bedford, Mass.

For most of her life, she bravely fought a rare genetic disease which would eventually cause respiratory failure and lead to her spending the last 7 years on a ventilator.

Though suffering with multiple acute health setbacks over the years, Missy never complained. She considered herself blessed to have been given more years of life on this Earth. She was friendly, loving and kind, often striking up conversations with complete strangers and making people smile.

Always considered a "favorite" patient by medical staff, she was constantly upbeat. Giving a thumbs up when asked how she was, suggesting baby names to all the expectant nurses, and playing games with or texting on her phone with friends and family, by whom she will be dearly missed.

After graduating from Concord-Carlisle High School, Missy briefly attended Newbury College in Brookline, Mass. During her time there, she used her extensive interest in music to DJ a few times a week (never top 40!) at the college radio station. She also worked with her mother at Play it Again Sam, a children's resale shop in Bridgewater.

Besides her family, she leaves behind the love of her life, and partner, Bruce Miller of Lakeville. Over their 17-year relationship, Bruce remained thoroughly devoted to her, through good times and bad. To the end, there was no one who could light up her face more than Bruce.

Melissa was the daughter of Elise Burden and stepfather William of Bridgewater, Randall Oxley and stepmother Theresa of Bourne. Sister of Michael Oxley and his wife Mikala of Bridgewater, Timothy Oxley and his wife Joanna of Uxbridge, Matthew Burden and his wife Kelly of Halifax, Kara Simpson and her husband Ryan of Bridgewater, Keri Pollini and her husband Joseph of Duxbury. Nephews Travis, Logan, Jameson, Evan, Weston, Hudson, Jacob, James, Joey, Jason and baby Matthew. Nieces Autumn and Brynn.

She was predeceased by her brother Matthew Oxley 11/29/2023, with whom she shared this rare genetic disease.

Relatives and friends are invited to visiting hours on Tuesday, August 20th, 2024 at Chapman Funerals & Cremations, 98 Bedford Street, Bridgewater, MA from 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM. A funeral service will take place in the funeral home the following Wednesday, August 21st, 2024 at 11:00 AM. Burial to follow at Mt. Prospect Cemetery in Bridgewater.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Snow Foundation, whose sole mission is to be a collective voice for Wolfram syndrome patients, working towards a cure for Wolfram syndrome and developing novel therapies for diabetes, vision loss, hearing loss, and neurodegeneration. For more information, visit the Snow Foundation at https://thesnowfoundation.org/about-the-foundation/