Obituary
Melissa Ann Cipollone, age 40, died peacefully surrounded by her loving family on December 23, 2021.
She is survived by her devoted parents, Roger and Cindea Cipollone, her loving sisters Christine (Steve) Barbas, Tara (Todd) Falbo, her handsome nephews Anthony Barbas, Sam and Domenic Falbo, her godchildren Aleena and Marco Angotti, and many caring aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. She was predeceased by her beloved cat of sixteen years, Hitch (2018).
Melissa was born and raised in Rochester, New York. She graduated from Spencerport High School in the Class of 1999 and attended Finger Lakes Community College. Melissa spent time in New York City where she began her acting career in daytime soap operas. She followed her dreams to Los Angeles, California where she became a member of the Screen Actor’s Guild-AFTRA and appeared in several commercials, soap operas, and movies. Some of her work can be viewed on IMDb. Melissa worked at famous venues including Deep, Basque, Nacional, Laugh Factory, and Vanguard, where she made lifelong friends. She was also a teacher’s assistant at Beverly Hills Playhouse where she studied acting. Her adventure continued in Stowe, Vermont where she worked for the Topnotch Resort and Idletyme Brewing Company, and helped a dear friend through her battle with cancer. Melissa’s journey led her to Florida in 2016 where she worked for the Palmer Legends Country Club up until she was diagnosed with Stage 4 Adenacarcinoma (NSCLC) at 38 years old. It was an unfair, life-changing battle from the start, but Melissa stood strong against the disease with unwavering faith and grace through the very end.
Melissa was best known for her zest for life, faith in God, obsession with Disney, fascination with Marylyn Monroe, love for Hollywood classic films, her contagious laugh, and beautiful smile. Melissa instantly connected with everyone drawn to her light. She engaged people in such a way that their lives changed by her encounter with them. She was an old soul. Genuine, one of a kind, and loyal. She loved and was loved by all of her families, including friends, coworkers, and customers.
A Celebration of Life is scheduled for Thursday, January 6th at 12:00 noon in the gardens of St. George Episcopal Church, 1250 Paige Place, The Villages, FL 32159.
A Reception will follow the service at Palmer Legends Country Club from 1:30 – 3:30 PM.
A Celebration of Life Reception in New York is scheduled for Thursday, January 13, 2022 from 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm at Ridgemont Country Club located at 3717 West Ridge Road Rochester, NY 14626.
In lieu of flowers you may make a donation in Melissa’s memory to your local animal shelter, the LUNGevity Foundation, or Lung Cancer Foundation of America (LCFA).
A special thank you to the Moffit Cancer Center, Cornerstone Hospice, and all of Melissa’s care givers.
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