At just 33 years old, Melissa Gobbett had to leave behind a lifetime of memories with her loving husband and energetic young boys.
On some level, the Vernon mother was still a kid herself inside – always full of life, love and laughter.
But what she will be remembered for most is her courage. Her passion. Her determination. Her strength.
Melissa was diagnosed in December of 2013, with a rare form of brain cancer (an oligoastrocytoma).
But that didn’t stop her.
The young mom braved through the surgery, the following cancer treatments, including all the awful side effects and ongoing seizures.
“I try my best,” Melissa said in a December 2014 interview, “I live my days with hope, for my boys.”
Then, in January of this year Melissa was informed that her cancer was no longer responsive to treatment. Her time was running out.
As much as that diagnosis hurt, Melissa wasn’t going without a fight. Although she couldn’t ultimately beat it, she was determined to give brain cancer a royal beating.
And she did just that.
She stood in the face of her enemy and shared her story with media in an effort to spread awareness about this rare disease.
“There’s not many people that know many people that have brain cancer,” she said in a March 2016 interview.
Her passion was stronger than her body in the end, but even in a wheelchair, she pushed through.
She helped plan, organize and spread the word about an upcoming event, Heroes Shave it Off. She inspired individuals to step up to the plate in a competition to see who can raise the most money for brain cancer. The winner will, fittingly, shave their head at the Sunshine Festival June 18. It’s the second annual event, following the success of last year where Melissa helped raise $10,000. But this year the funds will go directly towards brain cancer research.
While Melissa won’t be able to take the razor to the winning contestant, her relentless drive will shine through them, and the thousands of lives she has touched.
Anyone who knew or even met her, saw what a kind, gentle soul she was. She always had a smile for you which lit up the room.
She wasn’t afraid. Or at least, she didn’t show it.
And part of that is owed to the strength and support given to her through the community, friends and family, who continually rallied alongside her.
“I know that she passed feeling extremely loved and she had no worries about leaving her boys behind in a community that has shown an unimaginable amount of support,” said her husband Curtis.
“She was an incredible woman; I don’t think all the stories and articles written about her could ever articulate who she was and what she meant to me… I miss her so much already and I know I’m not alone in this.”
Melissa passed away at exactly 1 a.m. Wednesday, April 13 at hospice.
The family is holding a private celebration of life.
