Melissa Stucky will never be forgotten

A group of Ledgewood teachers and colleagues: Jackie Weerda, Olga Sarandi, Julie Wiest, speech language pathologist Kaleena Tolsman, social worker Linda Doetch and Ledgewood Principal Chad Etnyre gathered together to remember and mourn their friend, Melissa Stucky, who passed away on March 23, 2024 at the age of 39, after a fierce battle with cancer.

She was employed as a speech language pathologist for several years, most recently at Ledgewood and Stone Creek schools in Roscoe.

Melissa is survived by her husband, Matt, their seven-year-old daughter, Maggie, parents Mike and Marlene Bukowski, sister Alli, and many relatives and friends.

Melissa was diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer in 2018.  After surgery and chemotherapy, she was pronounced cancer-free.

However, on January 23, 2024, she received devastating news - the cancer had returned and had spread to her liver.

Thus began another cancer journey. This time she wasn’t able to beat it back. Melissa passed away on Saturday, March 23, 2024, in her home, surrounded by her family.

“She was very good at her job and was loved by a lot of people,” Melissa’s friend and mentor Kaleena Tolsma said. “She had a very positive impact on many lives.”

Jackie Weerda, a close friend as well as a colleague, admired the loving relationship between Melissa and her seven-year-old daughter, Maggie.  “Maggie has a personality very much like her mom.”

“Melissa was such a vibrant, warm person and a dear friend.  She had lots of friends at school and in the community.  Her hugs were the best!  No one hugged like Melissa.”

“Melissa was warm and genuine and had a great sense of humor.  She shared everything.  She was one of the most transparent persons I have every known,” Ledgewood Principal Chad Etnyre said.

Melissa and her family were very active in their church. They attended Central Christian Church in Beloit, Wisconsin.

She was also a proud health and fitness coach through Beachbody (BODi) workout classes.

Melissa believed in promoting her best self and inspired the same in others.

Her husband, Matt Stucky, is an English teacher and basketball coach at South Beloit High School.  Melissa was a huge supporter of the school’s basketball team, which won their regional championship in February.

Matt, Melissa and Maggie loved visiting Disney World in Orlando, Florida.  “How could anyone be sad at Disney World?” Melissa once said.  “It’s the happiest place in the world.”

A dance party is being planned at Ledgewood on May 10, 2024 in remembrance of Melissa’s 40th birthday.

A memorial bench will be placed in the front of Ledgewood school at a later date.

A Go Fund Me Account has been set up for Maggie’s college fund. If those wishing to give, please email Allie for a direct link to contribute to a Bright Start College fund.

You can also get information on how to donate by filling out the form at https://brightstart.com/give-a-gift/.   Click on "I am a contributor." The account owner is Matt Stucky.  The account owner email is currently set as alexandra.sa@gmail.com.  The beneficiary’s name is Maggie.