Melissa E. Forgione

Melissa E. Forgione, 39, Dunmore and Philadelphia, died Thursday at Geisinger Community Medical Center in Scranton.

Born in Scranton, she was the daughter of Vita Colangelo Forgione, Dunmore and the late Robert J. Forgione, who died Aug. 4, 2009. She was a graduate of Dunmore High School class of 1994 and earned her BFA from Philadelphia's University of the Arts in 1998 and has been part of the dance, theater and film community ever since. She danced and costumed for Altoids.com and has been seen on NBC's "America's Got Talent." As a burlesque and circus performer, Melissa spent many years conceiving, choreographing and costuming for Philadelphia's infamous Peek-A-Boo Revue and had the pleasure to entertain for Jennifer Tilly, Chris Noth, Cirque de Soleil performers, the cast of "Saturday Night Live" and of course, many Philadelphia Fringe Festivals. Dancing was the love of her life. Melissa also worked as a graphic designer for Scarlett Alley in Philadelphia.

She battled Crohn's Disease courageously from the age of 16. She always handled everything with a big smile. You would never know she was ill. Her smile and her kindness was her biggest attributes. To Melissa everyone was good and kind. She touched everyone's life like leaving a part of her with them. Melissa will be deeply missed by her loving family and dear friends.

Her favorite saying was "Momma it could be worse!" But love we must and so we hold you sweetly in our hearts. I know your dancing joyfully among the brightest stars and Oh! How you dance! How you dance!

Also surviving are a brother, James Forgione, Dunmore; uncles, Peter Forgione and his wife, Pat, Kingston, N.Y.; and Reynold Forgione, Scranton; and aunt, Bernice Colangelo, Dunmore, and her sons, Lenny Colangelo, Dunmore; and Stephen Colangelo, Dickson City; godparents, Michael and Joanne Ferraro, Taylor; and extended family, Jackie Pekar, Belize, and Kirsten and Brianne, Arizona; as well as several other aunts, uncles and cousins.

She was also preceded in death by maternal grandparents, Dominick and Elizabeth Colangelo; paternal grandparents, James and Mary Forgione; and an uncle, Leonard Colangelo.

The funeral will be Monday from the Carlucci-Golden-DeSantis Funeral Home Inc., 318 E. Drinker St., Dunmore, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30 a.m. in St. Anthony of Padua Church, Smith Street, Dunmore.

Friends may call Sunday from 3 to 7 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph's Center, 2010 Adams Ave., Scranton 18509.

To leave the family an online condolence, visit www.DunmoreFuneralHome.com