My Dear Strauss and Fitzgibbon Family's, My, what a tragic and sad event we have endured with the loss of our "Sweet Angel Melissa." Will we ever be able to "Get Over" her loss; no of course not; how could we? But I do promise that in time, your own time, you and I will get "Beyond" Melissa's loss. We will get "Beyond" her loss in part, because of the example Melissa provided us in her life and because in time we will begin to realize that is what Melissa would have wanted us to do. Get "Beyond" her passing . May I wish you and our entire family "Beyond" soon, as I believe Melissa would have wished. With my Love Always, Clark

Dear Montefiore Medical Center Staff The Strauss and Fitzgibbon family's would like to take this opportunity to thank all the doctors, nurses and other professionals who aided and cared for Melissa throughout her life. We sincerely thank you from the bottom of our hearts because you work miracles and Melissa loved you as well. Respectfully Yours, The Strauss and Fitzgibbon Family

I thought it might get a little easier, but in fact each and every day gets harder I just have a hard time understanding why you and your mom had to endure so much pain and hardship. And i do really take solice knowing you mother, my beautiful sister Jackie was able to be at the gate when you arrived, and was able to take you under her wings and bring you to the room where all too many of our family were waiting to embrace you. So now you can look after your brother and make sure he is OK. And maybe you can give me some kind of sign letting me know you and Mommy are going to be OK. Hugs and kisses to you both. Love Uncle Kevin P.S. How is the Zitti up there

Melissa, You truly are an inspiration to all of us. You stood strong through the toughest times, you are my role model. No matter how tough and how rough the times were you stood strong, stayed positive and looked past it. I wish you were still here with us, but your with your amazing mother right now. I'm glad your with her because she'd give up everything and anything just to see a smile on your face, just to make you happy. I try and figure out why God would take the most amazing and best people I know. You and your mother put others before your selves, I guess God needed another angel. You'll always be in all of our hearts forever. I can't wait until the day we are together again. I love you. I know you and Jackie will be watching over the family. Rest in peace<3

The Strauss family and freinds will be having a Memorial Mass in Melissa's Honor on Saturday September 10th at 10:45 AM at St Brendan's Church in the Bronx. We respectfully invite all Family and all of our freinds to help participate in the celebration of our Sweet Melissa's Life. Hope to see all of you there. Thank You The Strauss extended family

My Sweet Melissa....I will forever keep your beautiful smiling face in my memory. I am soooo grateful for running into you at the hospital to see that smile one last time and get one last hug.Wow...where to start...my memories of Rochambeau Ave. I will always hold close to my heart. ..those were the days we spent most of our time together. More recently, I recall you & Mike coming over to sleep over and how you impressed me with the way you took care of your big brother....getting his clothes ready and so forth...you were such a blessing to all of us and especially to your mom...who I know is thrilled to be back together with you in her arms. I know God has a plan and it all seems to be making sense now...Keep smiling down on us, beautiful girl, I know your in a better plaace now...in Gods & your Moms arms xoxoxoxoxoxo

Sweet Melissa. Daily I strive to be just like you. To be able to keep a smile through the obstacles you have overcome amazes me and gives me reason to have faith. There was never a day I saw you sad or angry. Never a day I saw you tired. I cannot even begin to understand how you never expressed those emotions. I let the smallest things ruin my day, yet you have been through more than I ever will with more smiles than ill ever have. My missy, although you can no longer walk this earth you are still in each and everyone of our hearts. The simple memory of you brings a smile upon each and every one of our faces. God brought you on to this earth to impact the people on it and you could not have done a better job in teaching all of us the way to live life: with strength and a smile. I just want to thank you Melissa for every piece of happiness you have given us. You were once bound by obstacles, but now you are a free bird. Free to fly and do whatever you have ever wanted without anything holding you back. You are forever safe in mommy's arms now and I know I've got two of the best angel's in heaven watching over me. May you rest in peace and happiness missy. We will forever and always miss and love your sweet, beautiful presence. Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile

I remember the day I got news that you were born: a beautiful little girl. We were all so happy! When we learned that you were Down's Symdrome, we realized how truly blessed we were. We never imagined the great joy and happiness that you would bring to the family but especially your mom, Jackie. Melissa, I believe that you bought great joy to your mom and made her life most fulfilling. You always brought a smile to her face, as well as, those around you. As much as it breaks my heart to let you go, I truly believe that your mom needed you and you needed her. I believe that God came for you and brought you to your mom's waiting arms. I will miss you dearly and your will always be in my heart with your mom. I will continue to pray for Michael, I know he must be heartbroken. I know you and mom will be looking over him, as always. My love always and forever Aunt Sharon

Melissa, You will be deeply missed. The family will not be the same without you and your mom with us. I know that all of our hearts are hurting...but there is peace with knowing you are with your Mom. Your brother Michael will be the one to hurt the worst. We will cherish your memories for ever. Love Always Barbara, Tommy, Danny, Kaite and Megan

I ONLY HAD THE PROFOUND PLEASURE OF MEETING HER ONE TIME. IT WAS AT HER MOTHERS FUNERAL,AFTER THE BREIF EXCHANGE I FINALLY REALIZED HOW WITHOUT BOUNDARIES THE GREATEST GIFT OF ALL TRUELY IS. FLY ANGEL. WITH NOTHING BUT LOTS OF LOVE, MICHAEL.CHARLES.POLK P.S. BE STRONG FOR EVERY ONE UNCLE KEV

My precious little angel, my heart has broken again, my only solice is that I know you are now at peace and in Mommy"s arms I am sure she is hugging you so tight, no more pain no more trouble or tough times, which you had far too many of . I love you and your mother, so much I couldn't begin to describe. I can't wait to see you both, I am glad I was able to see you, be it breifly before you left us, I will see you again and that will be Forever, I love you both. Till I get to hug you both again only then will my heart begin to heel and the pain begin to fade.. And you must continue to watch over and protect the other angel in your family, your sweet brother Michael, I know he misses you terribly as well as all of us. Your smile is what guides the world. My two beautiful daughters Michelle Lynn and Shannon are so terribly lost without you, they loved you so much. It was always such a great pleasure to watch the both of them enjoy every moment they spent with you and your brother Michael, it hurts me as their dad to not be able to help ease their pain. , The four of us, my self, Clark and Paul and your sister Sharon were totally devestated but we were there, in spirit with our thoughts and prayers .. Love Uncle Kevin

We are all heart broken that you are no longer with us, I am at a loss for words. You are loved by so many of us, your whole family. I remember being in Nanny's house, when Aunt Jackie had came home sharing that she was having a girl. And when you were born, you were so special, so pretty.. Aunt Jackie was so happy to have a girl, she was worried about your health. But she made sure you had the best of everything. You & Michael were her top priority, everything she did was for you two. Not sure what year it was, we were celebrating Christmas at Nanny's. You were young maybe 3 or 4 years old. Watching you tear through the wrapping paper and getting a baby doll, you were so happy and you didn't put that doll down. And you loved to have the full episodes of all your favorite T.V. shows on DVD's. All your favorite music.. I loved listening to the time you met Michael Jordan, you always glowed even years later when you spoke of it. And every time you saw Uncle Kevin, you just lit up so bright like the sun. You both had such a special bond. So many great memories, these are just a couple that stand out in my mind.. I hope Aunt Jackie made you a big bowl of your favorite Ziti !! Melissa, I hope you are at rest in your mom's arms... All our love, Your Cousin, Michelle... xoxoxoxooxoxoxoxoxxo

Missy <3 I cannot believe all of this. You have to be one of the most amazing people I have ever been graced to meet. As challeging as it is to sit here and attempt to compile the correct words. I find solitude in knowing that you dont have to suffer anymore, and you're with you amazing mom and you can be together forever which is what you both always wanted. So with that I want to say thankyou. Thankyou for being apart of my life even if it was far to short, you have taught me to never take a thing for granted and to cherish every moment spent with the people I love in our lives. I'll never forget sitting in your room and listening to you talk about how you loved school and you crushes, or showing me the pictures from meeting Michael Jordan and how excited you were. Your a beautiful person Melissa and I will forever hold you and your mother close to my heart. Please look after everyone and know that for the rest of forever and that I love you with all of my heart. Thankyou for being in my life, I love and miss you so much. give your mom a kiss for me. Untill we meet again shannon XoXoe

My Dear Melissa, I am absolutely devastated and heartbroken that you are no longer here on earth with our family's. The only consolations I have now is in the knowledge that you will never be in pain again and that you are with God; your Mother and other members of the Strauss and Fitzgibbon family's who will care for you eternally. and that you will reciprocate. With My Love Always, Clark (Uncle)