Memorial, May 15, 2016
Melissa Louise Brigham Ferolito

Born: May 23, 1943

Died: May 5, 2016

Although Melissa is no longer with us, I hope we can celebrate her life today and honor her memory.

My first recollections of Melissa, or as we always called her, Louise, was when our parents, Tom and Eileen, Louise and I lived in a duplex they owned in Arlington, Massachusetts. I can remember sharing a bedroom with her, and going just about everywhere in the neighborhood that she did! Whatever needed to be discovered, such as a dark narrow alley between the two garages in back, we would discover it together. I built my first snowman and had my first snowball fight with Melissa Louise. She set the example for me when she went to school. I wasn't as nervous to start Kindergarten, because I knew my big sister had already been there before me. If she could do it, so could I.

When I was in the second semester of Kindergarten, and Melissa was in third grade, our family moved to Riverside Avenue in Concord, Massachusetts. Those were years I will especially remember Melissa Louise. Again, we shared a bedroom, so I can remember whispering at night about things that happened during the day, even though we were supposed to be quiet and go to sleep. I am sure Melissa grew tired of me "tagging along", but my big sister always had something interesting to do or see. I can remember one incident especially. Melissa Louise had gone to visit a friend at her friend's house. I had a general idea of where the house was, but did not realize the distance or time to get there. I was five years old and took off on my large tricycle to find her. I forgot to tell Mom or Dad, or anyone else. I went down a big hill, crossed a bridge with a fast flowing river under it that we were not allowed to go near, went up another big hill,and past two farms. I could see the sun beginning to set and I was beginning to get worried, so I started to pray that God would show me the way to my sister! I made it to her friend's house, and then found out that Mom and Dad had been looking everywhere for me and were very worried. I don't remember getting in trouble, but I never did anything like that again! Melissa Louise was not happy with me that day!

We took swimming lessons together at Walden Pond in Concord every summer, and we went to Girl Scout and Rainbow Girl Camps together too. I can remember looking for Melissa Louise at camp the first day so she could put in my barrette to hold my hair in place! She showed me how, and then after that I was on my own! We had great summer memories of going to the ocean with Mom and Dad, and Brenda too, once she came along. For a long time it was just Melissa Louise and me.

When Brenda was born, we both helped Mom take care of her. Brenda became my "baby doll" and was a constant source of entertainment. By then Melissa and I had our own friends and I was not tagging along quite so much, but we still shared that bedroom, which was a source of friendship itself. There were times when we did not always see eye to eye, but we always stood up for each other.
During my Junior High school years and Melissa Louise's high school years, we moved to Sudbury, Massachusetts. Melissa had her own room there, and then Brenda and I shared a bedroom. I can remember when Mom and Dad rolled the carpet up in the livingroom so she could have a "dance party" with boys and girls at the house. That was certainly interesting for Brenda and me! We were not allowed to come downstairs!

After Melissa Louise graduated from Sudbury High School, and I was finished with Junior High, we moved back to Concord. Melissa and I once again shared a bedroom, but it would not be for long. After her high school days, she attended Burdett College in Boston and received her associate degree in business. Then she joined the Navy to become a Wave. I did not realize at the time the turmoil going on in the world, as it was right during the Vietnam War. She was stationed in Boston at the Naval Ship Yards, so was able to come home each day. In 1963 she was married, and then moved out of our family home. We would never "share" a bedroom or home again.. I moved away after graduating from High School, but for one year, while her husband was in Vietnam, she joined me at the University of Wyoming. It was great to have her there that year, so far from home! I received word of the birth of her first child, Elaine, during my senior year at college. That summer I was able to hold the new baby that everyone was so excited about! Diane's birth followed, and on one of my trips back home I was also able to hold the new baby that held so much excitement. By the time Donna was born, we also had a newborn, so my long distance travels were over. For many years our families lived great distances apart. When you are young, you don't realize how short life really is. I always thought my sister would be near by.

Then in th 1970's we all ended up living in Texas. Mom and Dad had retired to Austin, Texas and Brenda had come with them. We were transferred to the Dallas-Fort Worth area from Oregon, and Melissa Louise and her family were transferred to Clear Lake City, Texas from Massachusetts. So, once again we could see each other. We often met in Austin when visiting Mom and Dad. After our parent's passing, we often came down to see the Grandkids, so would also see Melissa Louise, Brenda and Dan. Our lives have been touched by her all these years and I will always think of her each day and remember my "big sister" who I am so glad I was able to tell many times that I loved. She will be missed by all of us.

Her favorite Passage from the Bible was Psalm 23 and I would like to read the last verse, as I think of Melissa Louise when I read this:

"Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever."

Written by Eleanor Frances Brigham Anderson

May 15, 2016