Melissa Agnes Hall

Melissa Hall Obituary

1979 - 2021
Melissa Hall (41) passed away peacefully on Monday, June 14th of 2021, surrounded by love from those near and far in New York City. A beautiful, brave and loving friend, daughter, and sister, Melissa was a warrior against breast cancer and a fierce advocate for the health and wellness of everyone she knew.

A true 'multi-hyphenate', Melissa was a brand strategist, speaker, and educator that dedicated her life to helping others. She championed wellness as a lifestyle, and encouraged everyone around her to eat better, live better, and be the best versions of themselves. Melissa was a cornerstone in every community that called her their own.

She taught at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York for over a decade, and was the trailblazing founder of the Emerging Designer, a network for fashion design entrepreneurs. Her career began in Chicago where she worked at FCB and Leo Burnett before moving to New York and earning her degree in fashion design at Parsons The New School for Design. While her professional legacy is long and storied (she worked with Fortune Top 50 companies, celebrities, and a wide range of lifestyle and wellness brands), Melissa is also remembered for her genuine nature, generosity, hard work, and the authenticity that set her apart. She shared every part of her story, even the most difficult moments in her fight against breast cancer, in her quest to help others.

Her favorites included a love of bright colors, hats, an eclectic shoe collection, cacao ceremony, sound meditation, sharing vegan snacks and recipes, and being in nature. You could often find her on a Saturday morning wandering the stalls of the Union Square Farmers Market, amassing veggies for a new recipe or a meal for her family. Food was her love language. When she wasn't in New York, she was jetsetting to LA, Miami, London, Chicago, or planning her next big adventure.

Melissa is survived by her mother, Rowena Pirovano (Richard Pirovano), and two loving sisters, Rachel Pirovano (Richard Devonald), and Lisa Pirovano. Melissa recently welcomed her niece, Grace Meadow Devonald, whom she proudly helped name.

Information on a celebration for Melissa's life is forthcoming. It will likely be held in late summer/early fall of 2021 in New York City. Details will be provided as a time and location is decided.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by New York Times from Jul. 6 to Jul. 7, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for Melissa Hall

4 Entries

Sahirah Hall-Allatayfeh & L. Jamaal Hall

September 4, 2021

I´ve known Melissa since she was 9 years old. I loved her as my daughter. She was always smart, beautiful, and competitive! I´m very proud of her and may her beautiful soul Rest In Peace. She will never be forgotten! Our condolences to all of the family.

Christina Cupo

September 2, 2021

Melissa and I were childhood friends in Wheaton. I remember playing at each other's houses. Our parents took us to a monster truck rally together (strange but true). I thought she was so beautiful I made a folder with her picture on it. I tried to reconnect with her as adults, but sadly we didn't get to each other in time on social media. I was lucky to be her friend at Lowell.

Thelma Willett

July 21, 2021

I´ve known Melissa when she worked at FCB as an account executive on the KFC account. We stayed in touch when she moved to NYC and we would hang out when I was in the city for work. I loved her as a daughter and we would get together when I was there in NYC to visit my son, who moved to NYC from Louisville. She made a huge impact in my life and I´m heartbroken. I will miss her terribly and NY won´t be the same without her. Rest In Peace my beautiful friend.

Amanda Perna

July 6, 2021

Melissa changed the lives of so many people. She was one of the most kind, loving and inspiring women I´ve ever had the honor of knowing. She will be so missed but will love on with so many of us that are following our dreams with her love in our hearts and teachings in our minds.