Melissa Anne Gilheeney, 44, of Johnston died Friday at Rhode Island Hospital, surrounded by her family.
Born in Providence, she was a daughter of William and Sandra (Szczepanek) Gilheeney. A lifelong resident of Johnston, she graduated from Johnston Senior High School in 1988. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Disorders from the University of Rhode Island in 1992, and subsequently entered their Graduate School where she obtained her Master of Science in Speech Language Pathology in 1994.
After earning her Certificate of Clinical Competency (CCC-SLP) in 1995, Melissa began working in school systems throughout the state of Rhode Island. Starting her career in the Warwick School System, Melissa quickly distinguished herself working with children with true communication deficits. Her ease and ability to connect with children on the autism/pervasive developmental delay spectrum was apparent early in her career, and expanded to working with children with severe physical and developmental limitations. Her knowledge of communication aids for these populations of children, and her ever-present willingness to collaborate with colleagues and educate parents as well as other service providers will long be remembered.
Personally, Melissa is remembered most for her love of animals. She was a tireless champion of animal rescue efforts, and had herself fostered and adopted many abandoned and mistreated animals over the years. Those who knew Melissa the closest will remember this boundless love of all creatures, her incredible culinary abilities, and her amazing sense of humor.
She leaves her parents, William and Sandra Gilheeney of Johnston; a brother, Dr. Stephen W. Gilheeney of New York, NY; and her Uncle and Aunt, Wayne and Charlene Szczepanek of Las Vegas, Nevada.
Visitation to which relatives and friends are invited will be held Saturday 12-4 pm with a Funeral Service at 1pm in the ANDERSON-WINFIELD Funeral Home, Route 44 at Greenville Common, Greenville, RI.(For GPS, use 2 Church Street, Greenville, RI) Flowers welcomed. Those wishing to make a donation in lieu of flowers may consider charitable contributions in her memory to the RI Chapter of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RI-ASPCA) RISPCA and the Autism Project of RI. Autism Project of RI