Atabex Melendez-Moss

Atabex was born in Connecticut to Myrna Santiago and Victor Melendez. She went to primary school in Puerto Rico. It was there she met her life long friend Jesenia. She did her undergrad in Puerto Rico. She got her masters in Psychology in Virginia. She originally was going to college for a degree in Business but something drew her towards Psychology to help children. She graduated in 2004 and moved to Tampa to start working for Pasco County Schools as a School Psychologist.

Along the way she met some other great friends in the Tampa area. She started dancing salsa eventually joining the dance team where she did performances at many Salsa Congresses. She had a passion for dancing many Latin styles, Tango, Bachata, Salsa, Mambo, Cha-cha-cha.

She also had a desire to travel the world. She went on a trip across Spain and France by herself. Knowing that it worried her mom to be traveling by herself, she would send texts and photos often to let her mom know that she was ok.

She loved her family and friends. She would worry if she sent a message and didn't hear back. She was always willing to give her resources to those who may be struggling without any concerns. She constantly contributed to several charities. JoyFM, World Wildlife Foundation, St Jude, and Dave Thomas Adoption Foundation to name a few.

Thanks to one of her friends, Dawn, she ventured into the world of online dating apps. She met her husband, Leo shortly after joining. Nearly two years after they were married. They had a small wedding due to a worldwide pandemic. Once the pandemic was easing up they had a larger wedding to celebrate with family and friends. Leo and Atabex were able to travel to several cities around the east coast of the US, Toronto, Trinidad. A few years after they were married they were finally able to go on their honeymoon to London, Edinburg, and Dublin. Unfortunately Atabex had a bout with breast cancer right when they were trying for a family. She was able to beat cancer and was in remission when they tried again. She was 4 months pregnant when she learned that she had Leukemia. She bravely fought for her recovery and to have their baby. In May Sacha was born. Atabex continued to fight and receive treatments to get into remission.

Atabex is survived by her mom, Myrna, husband Luis, and daughter Sacha. Celebration of Life service will be held at GrowLife Church on October 11th at 5p. GrowLife Church is located at 23633 Venezia Dr, Land O' Lakes, FL 34639. Feel free to wear her favorite color Navy Blue to the service. Atabex is an amazing person and the shirt she is wearing in the picture above sums her up perfectly. In honor of her, we will be wearing a similar shirt. If you wish to wear the same shirt you can find it on Amazon (https://a.co/d/4yLSHJb).

In lieu of flowers please donate to these charities in her honor.

Dave Thomas Foundation

Living LFS (Leukemia Research)

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