Melissa Jayne Nicholson's Obituary
Melissa Barber Nicholson, 69, of Wesley Chapel died April 28 after a long illness.
She is survived by Tom, her husband of 41 years, stepson Daniel and three grandchildren (Ella, Emily and Oliver) as well as her brother Bill, sister-in-law Becky and aunt Ruth Ellen Sands. She was predeceased by her parents Lydia Sands and William Barber and her sister RuthAnn Barber
A long-time employee of The Tampa Tribune, Melissa started at the newspaper in 1972 and worked there until 2011 with only a short break at another company.
Melissa had a quick smile and was a patient mentor and co-worker, a generous host at pool parties, a good-natured catcher at coed softball games, a warm and caring friend and a spirited travel companion on trips to Montana, South Carolina and, most often, to New Orleans. (On one legendary trip, she and her 10-or-so traveling companions actually drank the legendary Tipitina’s club out of Dixie beer.)
Melissa enjoyed the mountains and gambling cruises with Tom.
During the early ’80s, Melissa was active in the Eastleigh-Temple Terrace Soccer Exchange – raising money and making bi-annual trips to England.
She loved the music of The Rolling Stones, and in her final moments her tribe of close friends at the hospital played some Stones classics, but also “Melissa” by The Allman Brothers.
Her Celebration Of Life will be on May 18 at noon at Boza and Roel Funeral Home at 4730 N. Armenia Ave. in Tampa.
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