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Recognition: Memorials

In Memory of Melissa Suder

pink roses
Senior Picture

Melissa Emerita Suder November 25, 1988- July 24, 2005

I hope this memorial page is a source of comfort to all whose lives were touched by Melissa. Melissa¡¯s vivacious personality, beautiful smile and contagious laughter will be forever implanted in my heart and memory.

Melissa and her brother B.J have always been like family to me. The two of them were very close as brother and sister and we often heard them say to one another I love you sister, I love you brother.

I shared many milestones with Melissa as she grew up with my son Brian and our families will hold on to those special times forever.

Melissa liked to shadow my 25 year old daughter Denise. It always seemed that Melissa was racing ahead to the next phase in her life. Perhaps that was her way of getting everything she wanted to do in.

Our families shared many memorable times together. Melissa had a way of keeping everyone up to date on the neighborhood news she also was the first to introduce herself to new neighbors making them feel welcome.

The week before Melissa died she called me and we talked for a good bit on the phone. I feel blessed to have had that talk with Melissa that day. I know she had so much courage and Faith in God. It now appears that Melissa was touching base with everyone to say her good byes. Though Melissa was not here with us very long before God called her home, Melissa¡¯s purpose in life was fulfilled she had been loved by so many and she was able to love so many in return.

Melissa was diagnosed in November of 2003 with Pulmonary Hypertension. Throughout Melissa¡¯s struggles with her disease, she always found time to comfort the younger children at CHOP. While in the hospital, part of Melissa¡¯s nightly routine was to watch movies and read to the younger children in 6 West, sometimes snuggling with them at bedtime till they went off to sleep. Melissa wrote a song for a little girl Shania, who passed away from PH. Melissa referred to Shania as her ¡°little sister¡± and ¡°Shania¡¯s Song¡± was Melissa¡¯s final gift to us.

I know Melissa is working as one of God¡¯s Angels keeping watch over all of us. May Melissa enjoy eternal peace and happiness embraced by all those who have gone before her in Heaven. We will keep Melissa in our hearts and memories forever.

Rose, Dennis, Denise, Nancy, Brian and Robert Olewnik

Read the beautiful poem, When Tomorrow Starts Without Methat was read at Melissa's Funeral Mass.

Shania’s Song
In Our Hearts and Memories

It was a cold night and she lied in bed
She saw an angel
Her angel said “Are you ready?”
The bright light hit her face
Tears rolled down her cheeks
Her angel said “It’s time to go, go home.”

Thoughts rollin’ through my head Is she really dying?
Why? Why?
So young
Her life was just beginning
Reminiscin’ on the fun and happy times we had together

You still live in our hearts and memories
In our hearts and memories

Little sister you’ll be loved forever
Her time was now
She swam with her angel as family gathered around her bedside
She lied there lifeless, she lied there lifelessly

You still live in our hearts and memories
In our hearts and memories

Only a new life was just beginning
Go now little sister, we won’t cry
We know you’ll be watching us
By our sides each day
We love you so we know you’re still here

You still live in our hearts and memories
In our hearts and memories (2 times)

In our hearts… In our memory

You will always live on…

R.I.P. Baby Girl- Shania M. Edwards

-- Written by Melissa Suder

Read Comments (23) • Make a Comment

Francesca Vaccaro - Phila Pa (Mayfair) November 05, 2005
I knew Melissa for 3 years in high school people might not think its a very long time but it seems forever for me. We had summer school together and the one day her weave ponytail was comeing out and I had to hold her ponytail and we was running to the bathroom everyone was looking at us like we where crazy it was pretty funny. Melissa was in my homeroom in Huberts even though it will be soo boreding when we had long homerooms Melissa would always know what to do so it wasnt boreding. The one day we dressed up like nerds with our pants pulled all the way up our shirts tuck in and big thick glasses we should of took pictures but there was no camrea at the time but it would be soo funny to look back at them. Melissa would bring in a CD player and we would sing songs and we would get in trouble because we didnt think we where loud but people would say we where scarming haha...and Melissa would just come out of no where and start dancing it would be soo funny everyone will be like go Melissa go Melissa. I gave Melissa a nickname Mea she loved it she told everyone in school to call Mea instead of Melissa. I was looking at her Soph-hop picure and it says Love Mea <-You gave me that name When I saw that I was touched. When Jr prom came around Melissa wasnt feeling that great so i sat at the table with her and we where making fun of how people where dancing (not in a mean way) just making fun of our friends like... "Look at her trying to dance she can't dance".

I can go on and on and on about the memorys I had with Melissa. I Miss her so much and i would never forget about her. I dont think no one will ever forget about Melissa she is truly One of akind with out a doubt.

Francesca and Mea Best Friends Forever
Its not goodbye Its Ill see you later

AHMED YOUSSED - EGYPT November 16, 2005
I REALLY DON'T KNOW WHAT TO SAY.BUT I JUST WANNA TO SHARE YOU. I KNOW MELISSA WATCHING US NOW,SO ,I JUST WANT TO TELL HER THAT YOU ARE IN OUR HEARTS, YOUR SONG REVEAL THAT YOU ARE THE ANGEL WHO HELP US TO OVERCOME OUR SADNESS.I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT I AM A PEDIATRICIAN WORKING ON RESEARCHES ON PULMONARY HYPERTENSION AND I PROMISE YOU TO DO MY BEST TO HELP CHIDLREN WHO SUFFER FROM THIS DISEASE THANK YOU MELISSA,

grace frazier - garden grove, calif. November 20, 2005
so very sad, I am so upset! I pray they find a cure for us

~*~Heather~*~ - ~*~Philly~*~ November 25, 2005
Melissa was my best friend, the sister that I never had. We would always go around telling everyone that we were sisters. Melissa was always there when I needed her to be, even the first day that I moved to Elbridge street. Melissa was the first one to welcome me to the block and from there on out Melissa and I have been best frinds. Melissa could always make me smile, she was so outspoken, she was never afraid to tell anyone anything. Melissa and I had the best times together. We would spend most of our time in Rave, buying more clothes than we could fit in our closets. Melissa was such a great friend and I will never forget her..
I Love You Girlie..
Love Always & Forever
Heather

Rose Olewnik - Philadelphia December 23, 2005
Hi Tootsie-Noodle,
Last year you and my mom were my guests Christmas Eve. I will miss your company this year. I do take comfort in believing that you are spending Christmas this year with Jesus, in good company with Poppy, Uncle Vince, my Mom and Dad.I can only imagine the added Spirit you have brought to the Heavenly celebration.Brian reminds me that I should not dwell on your dying and absensce but rather the things you did in life and the memories you made for us. Parents can learn a lot from their children.
I helped BJ with his Christmas tree costume for the school play this year. He looks so cute and he did a great job.He misses you very much. Pleas keep shinning down on Mom Dad and BJ keeping them under your wing.They need the comfort and love only an angel like you can give.In our hearts and memories this Christmas and always...Rose, Den,Denise,Nancy,Brian and Rob

Nicole Pettigrew - philly January 17, 2006
I knew Melissa since freshman year. Everyday in spanish class we would talk in the back of the room and Mrs. Fink would have to stop and correct us. We had the best time! When sophmore and junior year came we didnt have many classes together but everytime I saw her she had a smile on her face. She always joked around and had a amazing personality. She is truly missed by many.

Laura - Philadelphia March 05, 2006
I don't really know how to start off. I miss Melissa so much. I still cant believe that she isnt still two doors down from me anymore. I knew Melissa since I cant even remember. We we never really close when we were little, but I always remember on snowy days we would always go sledding with Brian down my lawn. I remember we would take walks and talk about all kinds of things. After my dad died, i remember her coming and talking to me with digna. I felt like I could talk to her about anything. Everything happened so fast. I miss Melissa so much and will never forget anything about her. Melissa, I love you and I will see you one day. Please tell my dad i said hi and watch over us all. 33 love always , lAURA

Rose Olewnik - Philadelphia Pa July 25, 2006
It has been a year since you left us still we know you are watching over all of us. You will always be in Our Hearts and Memories. Love you always. Rose and family

Christina - Philadelphia, Pa August 29, 2006
Dear Melissa and family,
I have shared many classes and lunch with Melissa. I can't say that I have known her as well as many other classmates and friends. She was a wonderful and beautiful young women with a very warm heart! She always told people how she felt about them and she always showed off a 1000 watt smile which keeps growing bigger! I went to visit her one day during a very cold evening and it was very dark in the cementary that night and right when we were about to give up and come back in the morning, it was almost like she was showing us where to go becasue we saw a patch of orange clouds around her grave. We were so relieved and grateful that we found it! I was deeply hurt when I found out the news of her passing...I felt betrayed by God once again. I sat in my room crying almost the whole day. I would have been there crying the whole day if it weren't for my boyfriend and other friends who had comforted me by telling me she didn't have to suffer or go through pain anymore. I was still hurt but I felt better knowing that she was in Heaven looking down at us! I missed her at school events such as St. Hubert Day and Prom, even still she was there! Maybe not physically with us laughing, dancing and having a blast! I knew that Melissa was an Angel from Heaven. I could never imagine the things she had gone through and even still she enver let it off that she was in pain. She sat behind me in Algebra Junior year and everyday she'd come in with a smile and I asked her "how could you smile in this class?" I hated algebra as I knew she must have also, but she still had smiles o nher class and we would sit back and joke about the teacher and other things. Melissa, I know you are looking down on us. Bless you and your family!
Love,
Christina

Liz - Philadelphia, Pa August 30, 2006
I didn't really talk to Melissa but everyday i saw her, she always had a smile on her face. It was contagious cuz it made me smile too. I remember junior year when we got back our pics from junior prom and in accounting class steph dreher asked if she could have one of my pics and as i was giving it to her, Melissa said "You looked so pretty". That touched me so much!!! She was an amazing girl that died too young. She had so much to live for and im sad that she is gone. It isnt fair that she had PPH but you wouldnt had known by lookin at her, cuz she was always smiling and laughing! I feel so much sympathy for her family cuz she was only 16 when she died. It sucks that she didnt get to experience senior year with us cuz it was one hell of a year!!! Melissa, I miss you too and i will always remember wat u said to me in junior year. I kno u are in heaven with my cousin Nae Nae(please tell her hi and i miss her so much too). U are my guardian angel sweetie and i will pray to u when i am in need

Love,

Liz Forward

KAREN RIVERA - PHILADELPHIA September 07, 2006
MELISSA,

NOT A DAY GOES BY THAT YOU ARE NOT ON OUR MINDS OR IN OUR HEARTS:
WE DON'T NEED A SPECIAL DAY TO BRING YOU TO OUR MINDS,
EACH MORNING WHEN WE WAKE,WE KNOW THAT YOU ARE GONE,
AND NO ONE KNOW'S THE HEARTACHE AS WE STILL TRY TO CARRY ON,
OUR HEARTS STILL ACHE WITH SADNESS AND SECRET TEARS STILL FLOW,
WHAT IT MEANT TO LOSE YOU NO ONE WILL EVER KNOW,
OUR THOUGHTS ARE ALWAYS WITH YOU, YOUR PLACE NO ONE CAN FILL,
IN LIFE WE LOVED YOU DEARLY;IN DEATH WE LOVE YOU STILL,
THERE WILL ALWAYS BE HEARTACHE, AND OFTEN A SILENT TEAR,
BUT ALWAYS A PRECIOUS MEMORY OF THE DAYS WHEN YOU WHERE HERE.
IF TEARS COULD MAKE A STAIRCASE, AND HEARTACHES MAKE A LANE,
WE'D WALK THE PATH TO HEAVEN AND BRING YOU HOME AGAIN.
WE HOLD YOU CLOSE WITHIN OUR HEARTS;AND THERE YOU WILL REMAIN.
TO WALK WITH US THROUGHOUT OUR LIVES UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN.
YOU ARE TRULY MISSED,
LOVE AUNT KAREN, UNCLE FRANK, CRYSTAL AND STEVEN.

Rose Olewnik September 10, 2006
That was a beautiful poem Karen that expresses so much of how we all feel about Melissa. Melissa was very blessed to have such a loving family.I know she is one of God's Angels watching over us.

Justina DeMott - Binghamton, NY September 17, 2006
I don't really know what to say. I just thought I should leave something. Everyday I think of Melissa. I have dreams about her almost every night. The dreams used to make me wake up very sad. Now, when she visits me in my dreams, it's not so sad. She tells me that she will be back and that she is happy. I love you Melissa... and I miss you like crazy!!!

I'm still a hick, and I miss you calling me a hick. I still listen to country music, and I miss you changing the station to rap. I miss you going to get your nails done and you making me walk with you. I miss you calling where I live the mountains...even though they're hills. I miss you soo much.

I love you.

your cousin (the puerto rican hick)
Justina <3

Rachel & Katey Suder - Feasterville, PA September 19, 2006
Melissa,

We think about you often, and miss you very much. We hope that you are with our Dad in Heaven watching down on us, and keeping each other company. We played your song at Gilda's Club Cancer Camp this year, and everyone said how talented you were. Thank you for leaving something for us to listen to each night.

Love Rachel and Katey Suder xoxo

Rose - Phila November 24, 2006
There is not a day that has gone by when Melissa has not been in our memory, prayers and for some of us,in our dreams. I believe she is shining down on all of us. I know she was present at Brian's win yesterday. Still Melissa is sadly missed in each of our lives.
Melissa will be in Our Hearts and Memories forever.
Rose and family

Rose Olewnk - Phila Pa. August 19, 2008
Melissa lives on in the hearts and memories of all who knew and loved her. God rest your soul Melissa.
The Olewnik Family

Rose Olewnik - Phila August 25, 2008
Melissa you will always hold a place inside our hearts. I know that you are in Heaven shining down on all of us. My prayers will be for all of those who miss you every day. In our hearts and memories forever. Rose Olewnik and family

Rose Olewnik - Philadelphia November 20, 2008
We all miss you Melissa. I think about you and pray for you Mom, Dad, B.J. and your families every day. My prayer is that you are at peace in the presence of Jesus in Heaven,surrounded in love by Grandmom Joanie, Uncle Vinnie and Poppie forever. You are in our Hearts and Memories Forever.

Rose Olewnik and family

Rose Olewnik - Philadelphia November 24, 2008
We all miss Melissa. Melissa would have been celebrating her 20th birthday today. My prayers are for Melissa and her family.May she find eternal happiness with Jesus in Heaven,surrounded by Poppie,Vinnie,Grandmom Joanie and all the angels in Heaven. Melissa will be in our hearts and memories forever. The Olewnik family

Meghan Bogart - Philadelphia December 10, 2008
Wow, its been a little more than 3 years since Melissa passed. Whenever I think of grade school memories, she always comes to mind. I still can't believe she is gone, even after a few years. She didn't deserve what happened, but she is as happy as can be now, in such a better place, looking down on her loved ones. My thoughts and prayers still go out to her family.

Rachael November 25, 2009
Happy Birthday Beauitful! I miss you everyday. xoxox

The Olewnik family May 01, 2010
Melissa you are in our hearts and memories each and every day. I pray that your heavenly presence gives all of those who miss you, peace and blessings.

Rose Olewnik November 04, 2011
There is not a day that goes by that I dont think and pray for you,BJ and your parents. You will always be remembered for the many happy memories you left with us in your short life. You will be in "our hearts and memories forever" Rose and family