Melissa Sue Kennedy-Silipini, 61, a peaceful, gentle soul of Chardon, and formerly of Monroe, Mich., went home to be with the Lord on May 3, 2018. She was surrounded by her family as she put up a courageous fight with pancreatic cancer.
Melissa was born May 24,1956, in Ionia, Mich., the daughter of Warren and Sharon (Satterlee) Kennedy.
She was a graduate of St. Mary’s Academy, Monroe Mich. Melissa was an exceptionally creative person and gifted writer. She was employed as a case worker for Monroe Friend of the Court and MCOP in the late 70s. She was also an editor for Penton Publishing in Cleveland, before becoming a stay at home mom and grandmother. Recently Melissa was doing freelance writing for the Convention of States. She loved following and writing about political issues.
In addition to writing, Melissa also loved to express her creativity through painting. She also adored enjoying nature through bird watching, and caring for her flowers, especially sunflowers and orchids. Melissa will be remember as a strong, passionate person who loved history and politics, but mostly she will be remembered as a loving and devoted daughter, wife, mother, grammy, sister, and aunt.
Melissa will be lovingly remembered by her husband of 38 years, Michael J. Silipini; daughter, Monica Kennedy (Joseph Butterfield) of Painesville; sons, Michael and Matthew Silipini of Chardon; cherished grandchildren, Tyler and Alexis Kennedy, Alyssa Collins, Elise and Landen Silipini, Andrew Butterfield, Michael Kennedy-Butterfield, and Hailey Wolfe, all of Ohio; parents, Warren and Sharon Kennedy of Monroe, Mich.; sisters, Elizabeth (George) Fusion of Venice, Fla., Jacquelyn (Gary) Saul and Sarah (Chris) Giarmo of Monroe, Mich., Sharon (Todd) Gramlich of Clarkston, Mich.; brothers, Warren (Carla) Kennedy, Michael (Debra) Kennedy and Matthew (Sarah) Kennedy of Monroe, Mich.; in-laws, Denise Moran, Laura (Mark) Moore, and Lynn (Dennis) Leach all of Monroe, Mich.; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Melissa was preceded in death by her grandparents, James and Mildred Kennedy, and Leonard and Luella Satterlee; in-laws, Frank and Lenore Silipini; brother-in-law, Dale Moran; and many aunts and uncles.
Family will receive friends from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 8, at McMahon-Coyne-Vitantonio Funeral Home, 6330 Center St. (Route 615, north of Route 2), Mentor, with a celebration of her life at 7:30 p.m. Burial will take place in Monroe, Mich. Visitation will also take place from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, May 10, at Rupp Funeral Home, 2345 S. Custer Rd., Monroe, MI 48161. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, May 11, at St. Michael the Archangel Parish, 502 W. Front St., Monroe, MI 48161. (Time pending.)
Memorials donations in her name can be made to Hospice of the Western Reserve, 17876 St. Clair Ave., Cleveland, OH 44110.
To leave condolences for the family, order flowers or light a memorial candle, visit www.MCVfuneralhomes.com.

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