On Monday February 20, 2023, Melissa Lynn Eccleston passed away at Boston Medical Center after a long and courageous battle with multiple health issues. She was 47 years old. Melissa passed peacefully with her Aunt Mary and best friend Katie by her side
Born in Key West Florida, the only child of Frank and Diane Eccleston, she moved to New Bedford with her parents in 1977. She attended New Bedford elementary schools and graduated from New Bedford High School.
Upon graduation, Melissa joined the New Bedford Police Department as a cadet from 1995-1999. After that she took on the position of police dispatcher. She worked a total of 21 years for the NBPD until her health prevented her from being able to continue to work and forced her to retire in 2016. She resided for 20 plus years next door to her parents in an apartment in the home of her Aunt Mary and Uncle David.
Her interests included baking, antiquing, photography and crafting. She was an exceptional baker. She not only took private orders for baked goods she supplied several local sandwich shops with her delicious dessert creations. She had a dream to have a food truck but her health was declining and her dream was no longer attainable. Melissa’s interest in antiques was reflected in her home. She had a great talent for decorating her home with the time worn items that she acquired in her search for vintage treasure. Among her treasures was a significant antique camera collection. She always had a craft project in process. Handmade cards and stamping were some of her favorites. She loved animals and especially enjoyed having cats. She had several of them over the years and would often take in strays. A kind and loving soul, Melissa would always give to others even at times when she had very little to give. She put others the needs ahead of her own. She was involved in numerous charities and was a huge supporter of local artists. She could always be found volunteering at many events. One really fun event was doing “Zombie” makeup with her friend Chakira.
Over the years she has been faced with incredible life challenges that most people could not endure. Throughout it all she was a resilient warrior. Even in the face of eternal peace she was able to find a reason to smile. She held a special place in many people’s hearts. She will be dearly missed by all that knew her.
She is survived by her mother Diane, her uncle Norman Sargent, his wife Jeana and their son Michael, her aunt Janet Smith and her wife Shanna, her “aunt” Mary Lajoie and her husband David, her best friend, Katie Doyle-Botelho, her husband Kelly Botelho and their three boys who affectionately referred to Melissa as “Auntie Melissa,” her “aunt” Carole Pankow and her husband Mike, her aunt Deborah Mucillo and her husband Steven, her aunt Donna Divona and her husband Frank, and several cousins
She was predeceased by her father, Sgt. Franklin Eccleston of the New Bedford Police Department, and her cousins, Meghan Sargent and Candice Shandor.
Her visitation will be held on Saturday, March 4, 2023 from 10:30-11:30 AM, followed by a memorial service at 11:30 AM at the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford. A private burial will be held at a later date. For online condolence book, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.