Melissa Ann Whyte

Melissa: lover of life, battler, advocate, champion of childhood.

Melissa was born in Napier, New Zealand, the youngest of 3 children. She had a happy childhood, growing up in Pirimai and Onekawa, attending Pirimai Primary School, Wycliffe Intermediate and Colenso High School.

Melissa trained as a Nanny, then began work as an Early Childhood Teacher. She lived and worked in London and travelled Europe, the States and Canada, but missing her family came home after a year. She settled back into life in her hometown and began work as a Parent Educator, then returned to more study and became a manager of a childcare centre. She would spend hours coming up with ideas for activities, songs and games for the children and was completely dedicated to their care. And because of this, the kids all seemed to adore her - she was so much fun, but she also had an air of authority about her and they all seemed to know not to cross the line with her. We always thought how lucky those children were to be under her care.

Unfortunately, around the year 2000, Melissa became ill. A heart defect she was born with (a faulty valve) suddenly began causing trouble. Melissa put up with severe allergies, food intolerances, lack of energy and bloodflow, and asthma. She waited 7 years for an operation to replace the faulty valve. She remained in the workforce for this entire time, against medical advice.

Unfortunately the valve replacement (February 2007) did not go as planned and Melissa did not recover well. She required a pacemaker to be installed.

After a 12-week recovery, Melissa returned to work, by this stage as a teacher of early childhood practice.

A doctor error was made during the first operation and pacing wires were left in her body. Melissa fought for a year to have the wires removed. Unfortunately, after the passing of a year, the wires had become embedded into her organs and their removal required the splitting of her sternum for a second time (January 2008).

Another 12-week recovery was not part of Melissa's plans, and she returned to work after 6 weeks, requiring her to be driven to and from the classroom door.

Between February and October 2008 Melissa was in great health and humour. She was happy, healthy and making plans for the future. Then in October she received news at a checkup that her heart was not working properly and that the pacemaker was effectively running her heart. An appointment was made for further investigation in December. Unfortuntately she never made it to December, dying sometime during the early hours of November 28, in bed, in her home.

Melissa's battle was over. Ours had just begun.

Melissa was a brilliant daughter, sister, granddaughter, niece, cousin, friend......and most especially a devoted aunty.

We miss Melissa's smile. We miss her laugh. We miss her bacon and egg pies and the heated debates we would have over differences of opinions. We miss her loyalty and most especially her love. Her niece Olivia especially misses a devoted Aunty, one who would spend hours sitting on the floor making cities out of boxes, or making bird wings out of wood and paper; who was full of hugs and reminders to "be naughty". Our lives will never be the same.

Melissa's bravery and fighting spirit are our inspiration.