Melissa (Vincent) Agan Williams passed away after a hard fought battle with cancer on February 18, 2024.
Born on June 17, 1961 in Elmira, NY to V. Thomas and Patricia (Morley/Mailey) Agan. Melissa is survived by her siblings Timothy (JeanAnn) Agan, Pamela (Gregory) Smith, Marjorie (Dan Woodruff) Steed, and Nancy (Forest “Woody”) Knowles. Melissa graduated from Southside HS in 1979, the last class to graduate from the original high school facility. She received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Speech/Language Pathology from SUNY Geneseo in 1983. In 1991, Melissa went on to receive her Master of Science Degree from Nazareth College. She worked for 2 years in Fort Valley, Georgia before commencing a 30 year career as a NYS Licensed SLP at the Hannibal School District from which she retired.
From her former marriage to Bruce D. Williams, Melissa became a Mom to her two boys: David T. (Alyssa) Williams and Brett D. (Emily) Williams. In 2022, Melissa became a first-time Grandmother to Delaney Jane Williams.
Also known as “Blisters” or “Malawees”, Melissa loved to travel, cross-country ski, bike ride, walk and read. It was very important to her to make memories with her family including annual excursions to exciting new destinations. She had many unique characteristics, including “howling” with laughter after one her stories, stopping and petting every puppy she passed, and telling a lengthy story only to follow with “I guess you had to be there”. Melissa had a knack for giving every one nicknames, whether it be “Honeys”, “Magoo”, “Big Guy” or “E-abamalas” etc. She will always be known for her laughter, even if it was a result of sharing her personal mishaps.
It was apparent that the greatest joys of her life were “her boys”. She loved to watch them participate in sports, especially lacrosse. Her presence in the stands was evident as she was the loudest, screaming “Way to go Honey’s” after every successful play. She was extremely proud of their successful careers and even more proud of the family-men they became.
Two quotes she lived by: “Why sit when you can lay” and “I laughed, he laughed, and we all laughed together”.
There will be no calling hours. A private family celebration of life will be held at Richard H. Keenan Funeral Home in Rochester, NY. Per Melissa’s wishes, she asks that flowers, plants and trees be planted in her memory in the gardens of friends/families homes’. In lieu of donations and memorial service, Melissa wishes for all to celebrate her life with a yearly toast on her birthday.
Comments
32 responses to “Williams, Melissa A.”
Your mom was the best! She talked about you boys all the time! She was a colleague, a friend and her skills in speech were priceless to our family! Always in our heart!💜
David and Brett, your mom was one of the best. She never stopped helping everyone at the 1812, then provide great snacks at the after hour. Your mom will be truly missed, our thoughts and prayers.
Christine and Ralph Green
Very sorry for your loss, your mom was one of the best. She was always there for everyone and always a positive light on everyone she met! My condolences and prayers to your families… 💔
It’s only after the facts you can look back and truly see the impact someone has left upon your life! She crashed in, challenged our minds, and filled our hearts! We at bagels and blarney will miss you Melissa but will never forget you! She was without a doubt the best!❤️🍀🌈
My condolences to the Williams and Agan family. Melissa loved life! I’ve know her since grade school. She would walk in a room and her energy and presence was visible. Her laughter was contagious. Yes, her stories would always end up with a howling, and of course you would follow with laughter. She will be truly missed. I will always remember our friendship dear friend. Fly high Melissa and keep the angels in laughter. Will cheer to you on June 17th🥂.
❤️🙏
My friend will be missed dearly!! I can hear her calling me”Honey” . I loved her and will hold her in my heart for years to come. I will be there if needed . Please reach out. My prayers are with all of you 🙏🏻♥️
I am so heartbroken to see Melissa has passed away. She was such a source of happiness and with that came tons and tons of laughs. I will forever remember our friendship and the times we spent together finding our way in this world. Sincerest of condolences to the entire family, I am sure you are all heartbroken.
Mellissa will truly be missed. Such a fun vibrant woman, with the best laugh! Our thoughts and prayers go out to her sons, and all of her family and friends.
David and Brett
I’m sure I’m one of thousands( or more) who loved Melissa. Working with her was always helpful and fun. She helped anyone in any way she could and always had everyone laughing on most days. I could hear her even when I wasn’t in the same room with her and it made me smile and soon l’d be laughing with her even when I didn’t hear the story she was sharing. I promise to plant for her and toast her every year on her birthday. What a beautiful human she was!
I had the pleasure of working with Melissa in Hannibal where she was loved by all-students and teachers alike. Such a bright light for all every day. As a joke teller I couldn’t wait to share one with her and listen to her howl as laughter would echo down the halls time after time. She loved to share how proud she was of her boys. In all ways we were very lucky to have shared life with this gem!! Her eternal light continues to shine. Our thoughts and prayers for you.
My deepest condolences. I have fond memories of Melissa from high school. She always had a smile to share and great kindness.
I came to know you as Pam’s younger sister and grew to know you as a remarkable woman. You had that quick wit and sparkle in your eyes, an identifiable laugh and such a thirst for life and its adventures. Your devotion to teaching was only surpassed by your immense love and pride of your sons (and their families). Although I did’t see you often your essence has held a place in my heart, for now and always. Fly high, Babers. ❤️
Miss you friend, you are so alive in my thoughts and memories. Love you!
David and Brett,
Like everyone else who worked with her at Fairley School, I will miss your mother and her irrepressible laugh. You know how much she loved you both and the pride she took in all you did. This past year she showed all of us what resilience and determination look like. Her strength and positivity in the face of her diagnosis was an inspiration to everyone. I’ll be toasting her every June 17 with a smile because I was lucky to know her. My prayers go to her family and all who loved her.
Melissa, was one of a kind! Always laughing, smiling and the life of the party!
She will be missed!
Great memories that will not be forgotten. Melissa was such a great person and friends to all she met. Even after not seeing each other for a long time when we met to discuss our last class reunion she was still the same fun person. God Bless her family at this difficult time
Heartbroken, but grateful for having the good fortune to have worked with Melissa! She was sunshine and warmth to staff and students! A beautiful and kind soul that will be fondly remembered.
Thoughts and prayers to David & Brett and Melissa’s entire Family . She was truly a Warrior and fought this nasty disease with such grace and dignity while maintaining a positive attitude and that laugh that will never be forgotten. A true Class Act as an Educator and someone that left such a lasting impression on so many, many people especially the Fairly Family ! Debbie thought the world of her and would tell me of some of her escapades at school . Rest assured Boys that your Mom is looking down on all of you with a huge sense of pride and love and you could not ask for a more loving Guardian Angel. Melissa , you will be missed by many but never forgotten ! Gods Speed to our dear Friend.
We were so lucky to have reconnected with your Mom… she truly was a positive light and he storytelling and laughter will never be forgotten. Our deepest sympathies to the entire family! She will always be with you! Always remember that.
The two years we spent with OCC lacrosse were the best with Melissa!! “Way to go Honey” could often be heard when she was cheering on Brett. Two of the best years for sure, and she was a huge part of that. She was always smiling, laughing, enjoying her boys and her life. She will be missed. May God bless her and her family, and ease the heartache that is felt with her loss. #Family
Bruce, I’m sorry for the loss that your family endures.
Im very sorry Dave & Brett. Your mom supported both of you in anything you were doing. She was such a fun lady. Hon was her favorite greeting. Prayers to you both & the family
Melissa was always a joy to be around. So glad to have reconnected with her over the past years! Her sparkling eyes and wonderful smile will be missed by all!
There is only one way to describe Melissa – she was a hoot! Will remember her with great affection. David and Brett – it should bring you great joy to know that your mother left such happy memories with so many people. My deepest sympathies to all of her family.
Melissa was a funny and intelligent woman, so proud to the opportunity to know her, She was a wonderful mother, sister ,grandmother and friend. My heart goes out to the family, I will truly miss her and will never forget the good times we shared. God bless and love always. ❤️
Such a wonderful life and always made us laugh. We met in Middle school at St Patrick’s and became fast friends❤️Went to Broadway and SHS together.. We attended the same party’s and sporting events in HS. Her smile and positive attitude made her infectious. U just wanted to be around her energy. Had the chance to reconnect in our 50s. when she moved back to the Southern Tier. The same person she had always been. Always talked about her Boys and how proud she was of them. I am a better human being because I knew and loved Melissa Agan Williams. 💕☘️RIP!
Melissa was a funny and intelligent woman, so proud to have the opportunity to know her, She was a wonderful mother, sister ,grandmother and friend. My heart goes out to the family, I will truly miss her and will never forget the good times we shared. God bless and love always. ❤️
Melissa touched the lives of countless people and will be missed dearly. She has touched my life from our early days at St. Mary’s Parish (Elmira Southside), to high school shenanigans, and reconnecting back in Elmira the last 5 years. She was a beautiful person who could love and laugh with the best. One didn’t mind hearing a story from her more than once; a blast to be with. We will never forget her infectious smile and always toast her!
Any space near or around Melissa was always filled with brightness and laughter because of her presence alone. She was one of the most genuinely kind people I’ve ever been blessed to know. My prayers are going out for the entire family.
I grieve with the Agan family over their loss of Melissa.
As kids, I knew Melissa to be fun & full of life, full of joy..
Melissa will be missed.
Melissa Williams
So many good times with Melissa… traveling around w the boys lacrosse and football. EVERYONE knew her by cheer “Way to go HONEYS!!” We loved that, and we were so happy to spend time with her at Emily and Brett’s wedding. The pics of her are beautiful as she was inside and out! A true loss for us earthbound souls, and a huge win for our divine creator and God in heaven. 🙏🏻
I had the very real pleasure of working with Melissa during our time together at Hannibal. I first met her in a restaurant at Hartsfield Airport in Atlanta where we had a very unusual job interview. I knew from the moment I met her that she was special and immediately decided to hire her.
During our time together I valued and appreciated her talent, expertise, tenacity and perhaps most importantly her sense of humor. We would sit together in special education meetings and deal with very challenging issues. No mater how difficult, she always managed a smile and could help cut the tension with a quip and her signature laugh. She was a crucial member of the Hannibal Special Education team that helped hundreds of children navigate difficult childhood/school-age years and give them the chance to have successful, happy adult lives. My only regret was not having more time to work with her and the rest of that team.
I left Hannibal in 1989 but kept in touch with Melissa through the years. She and I were birthday “twins” and we always exchanged cards, some of which would make me blush! Her annual birthday greetings were always filled with news about Hannibal and her family. She was so proud of her boys and always had stories to tell about their accomplishments.
My deepest condolences to David, Brett and the rest of Melissa’s family. As you try to process her passing know that she touched countless lives and left this world a better place.
Mark Capobianco