Obituary for Melissa Anne Rhodes (Lutak)
Rhodes, Melissa Anne Nancy (nee Lutak)
March 22, 1979 – May 16, 2021
Ever beloved mother to Christopher Leigh Rhodes Jr. (CJ) and Heidi Louise Rhodes, the little loves of her life. Ever faithful wife to Christopher Leigh Rhodes Sr.
Melissa is predeceased by her mother Barbara Lutak, her beloved fur and feathered babies Shawn, Jericho, Lover, Merlin, and Rocky, as well as her three unborn angels Todd, Killeen, and Valentine.
Born in Hoboken, NJ, Melissa was a life long resident of Roselle Park, NJ. She also briefly lived in Manville, Milford, Summit, and Elizabeth, NJ, but always returned home to RP.
Melissa graduated from Union County College with her Associate's Degree in Liberal Arts Secondary Education and the College of NJ with her Bachelor's Degree in History. Besides being a nanny during her college years, she also worked in Human Resources at Target in Clark and Linden, as well as at UCC in Cranford for over a decade combined. She also worked at her children's pediatricians' office in Old Bridge before becoming ill with ovarian cancer.
Melissa's latest passion over the past two years was volunteering at Aldene Elementary School alongside the PTO, with the bookfair being her most favorite event as the bookfair chairperson.
Melissa is survived by her best friend Linda Carroll of almost 30 years, Mary and Jimmy Pekarofski (Heidi's Godparents) of over 40 years, her #ChemoCutie sister from another mister Atiba Page, many friends including the Hodge Podge Crochet group #ohana, as well as her fur and feathered babies: Hurricane, Patches, Bibs, Rosie, Pepper, and Bernice. Melissa will forever be missed by the love of her life Jonathan Deredita and his family who have always loved her as one of their own.
In lieu of flowers, Melissa requests that donations be made to her Go Fund Me account for CJ and Heidi: https://www.gofundme.com/manage/rhodes-rage-over-ovarian-cancer
Melissa's other request is that no one attend her funeral in any sad attire. She would like her Target family to wear red and khaki, wrestling friends to wear WWF/WWE shirts, other sports attire (please no NY Yankees for this Red Sox fan lol), Aldene spirit wear, etc. Melissa wants everyone to celebrate her life in the same crazy way she lived it.
Funeral is from the Mastapeter Funeral Home, 400 Faitoute Ave., Roselle Park on Tuesday, May 18, 2021 at 8:45am. A Funeral Mass will be offered at Church of the Assumption at 10am. Cremation is private.
Visitation will be 4 to 8pm on Monday, May 17, 2021.
DUE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC MASKS MUST BE WORN AT ALL TIMES OVER THE NOSE AND MOUTH IN THE FUNERAL HOME, SOCIAL DISTANCING IS IN FORCE ALONG WITH CONTACT TRACING.
March 22, 1979 – May 16, 2021
Ever beloved mother to Christopher Leigh Rhodes Jr. (CJ) and Heidi Louise Rhodes, the little loves of her life. Ever faithful wife to Christopher Leigh Rhodes Sr.
Melissa is predeceased by her mother Barbara Lutak, her beloved fur and feathered babies Shawn, Jericho, Lover, Merlin, and Rocky, as well as her three unborn angels Todd, Killeen, and Valentine.
Born in Hoboken, NJ, Melissa was a life long resident of Roselle Park, NJ. She also briefly lived in Manville, Milford, Summit, and Elizabeth, NJ, but always returned home to RP.
Melissa graduated from Union County College with her Associate's Degree in Liberal Arts Secondary Education and the College of NJ with her Bachelor's Degree in History. Besides being a nanny during her college years, she also worked in Human Resources at Target in Clark and Linden, as well as at UCC in Cranford for over a decade combined. She also worked at her children's pediatricians' office in Old Bridge before becoming ill with ovarian cancer.
Melissa's latest passion over the past two years was volunteering at Aldene Elementary School alongside the PTO, with the bookfair being her most favorite event as the bookfair chairperson.
Melissa is survived by her best friend Linda Carroll of almost 30 years, Mary and Jimmy Pekarofski (Heidi's Godparents) of over 40 years, her #ChemoCutie sister from another mister Atiba Page, many friends including the Hodge Podge Crochet group #ohana, as well as her fur and feathered babies: Hurricane, Patches, Bibs, Rosie, Pepper, and Bernice. Melissa will forever be missed by the love of her life Jonathan Deredita and his family who have always loved her as one of their own.
In lieu of flowers, Melissa requests that donations be made to her Go Fund Me account for CJ and Heidi: https://www.gofundme.com/manage/rhodes-rage-over-ovarian-cancer
Melissa's other request is that no one attend her funeral in any sad attire. She would like her Target family to wear red and khaki, wrestling friends to wear WWF/WWE shirts, other sports attire (please no NY Yankees for this Red Sox fan lol), Aldene spirit wear, etc. Melissa wants everyone to celebrate her life in the same crazy way she lived it.
Funeral is from the Mastapeter Funeral Home, 400 Faitoute Ave., Roselle Park on Tuesday, May 18, 2021 at 8:45am. A Funeral Mass will be offered at Church of the Assumption at 10am. Cremation is private.
Visitation will be 4 to 8pm on Monday, May 17, 2021.
DUE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC MASKS MUST BE WORN AT ALL TIMES OVER THE NOSE AND MOUTH IN THE FUNERAL HOME, SOCIAL DISTANCING IS IN FORCE ALONG WITH CONTACT TRACING.