MELISSA JOYCE BERGERON

COLCHESTER — With broken hearts we put to paper only a mere fraction of a wonderful life lived. Melissa Joyce Bergeron (Smith) senselessly died on March 1, 2023, at her home in Colchester, Vt., a victim of domestic violence by her husband of 12 years. As part of the unimaginable tragedy, the subsequent loss of her husband, Mike Bergeron by suicide minutes after, left behind their beloved 10-year-old son, Nicholas, and dog Molly.

Melissa was born on March 27, 1985, the daughter of Kenneth and Louise Smith (Huestis) in Middlebury, Vt. She was the last born of their four children “the baby, and forever favorite” by so many. She graduated from Middlebury Union High School in the class of 2003.

Melissa was a special woman. She was a kind and caring person to a fault. Her heart was bigger than her body. She was a friend to everyone. She had the biggest and brightest smile this earth will ever see. She provided daily encouragement, guidance, a listening ear and support to those in need all while having her own hidden personal struggles.

She was a very talented person in many ways. She made anyone feel better just being around her. She taught herself how to crochet, she created her own online BINGO group, she loved photography and

took hundreds, maybe thousands of photos over her short years.

Melissa loved to laugh and have others laugh with her. Her laugh was infectious. She made you feel better by just being around her. She was the biggest cheerleader for all her nieces, nephews, friends, and family from the biggest accomplishments down to the smallest. She would always say “You got this! You are strong”. We were all lucky to have her in our corner. She LOVED with all she had.

Melissa worked at the University of Vermont Medical Center Nutrition Services for over 18 years, a job she loved and enjoyed. Nearly every single day after her workday ended, she would call her mother, Louise, whose relationship she cherished beyond words. Her mother was her best friend.

Melissa was many things; a daughter, sister, aunt, niece, cousin, friend, wife, but most importantly to her, she was a mother. Her greatest accomplishment in life was bringing her son, Nicholas Daniel, into the world. Nicholas is a wonderful boy and is adored by all who know him. Melissa passed on her generous heart and beautiful smile to Nicholas, along with a great sense of humor.

Melissa leaves behind a grieving family, her wonderful son, Nicholas Bergeron, parents Louise Smith and Charles Holbrook II, two sisters, Heather Blair (Paul) and April Smith (Travis Laduke), and one brother Orrin Smith (Melanie). She leaves a stepbrother, Charlie Holbrook III, many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and countless amazing friends.

She was predeceased by her father, Kenneth Smith, her maternal and paternal grandparents, a stepbrother, Ray Holbrook and several aunts and uncles.

Above all else, Melissa was loved. Truly and deeply loved. She SHOWED us what LOVE meant. Her family is eternally grateful to all who supported Melissa through her short journey of life, and will continue to support Nicholas. The family would like their message to be heard: If you ever find yourself in crisis, if you ever find yourself facing domestic violence, if you ever find yourself in a situation you don’t know how to escape, reach out. No issue is too small. Reach out, get help, do not wait. Tomorrow may be too late. Domestic Violence is never OK. Get help 1-800-799-7233

A Celebration of Melissa’s life will be held Sunday March 26, 2023, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Middlebury Town Hall Theater, 68 S Pleasant St, Middlebury, VT 05753.

In Lieu of flowers, please make a donation on behalf of Nicholas Bergeron/Heather Blair, at Vermont Federal Credit Union.◊