Melissa Ann Martingilio

At 10:35 am on February 26, 2010, we lost a very precious person.   Melissa Ann Martingilio, age 30, lost her 5 yr battle with three different cancers.   First was Hodgkins Lymphoma in 2004, then in 2005, Melanoma of the skin.   In 2008 she developed Metastic Melanoma in her organs.   After surgery in July, 2009, and cutting edge chemotherapy in 2010, the Metastic Melanoma took her from us.   Her tenacious fighting of all three and her never ending zest for life kept her going far longer than most.   In the end,  she had her entire loving family around her and had the two people whom she loved the most holding her until the end.  
                           Melissa was born June 24, 1979 , the daughter of Rick and Sylvia (Hanson) Martingilio of Evansville.   Melissa attended Oregon High School.   She went on to have two beautiful children, Zachary and Trevor who were most important to her.   She devoted her life to caring for not only her own children, but children of others by working at LaPetite Academy in Oregon.   On April 29, 2003, she met the love of her life and her soul mate.   They both went through each bout of her illness and fought it tirelessly.   Even in the light of adversity, she continued to battle, never   ever giving up.                     
                   Melissa is survived by her sons, Zachary Thomas Traino (9) and Trevor George Traino (7), father   Rick (Pam James) Martingilio of Madison, mother Sylvia (Joe) Ford of   Beloit, brother Chris (Natalia) of Stoughton, sister Brenda (Tony) Benisch of Morrisonville, sisters Rachel James (Aaron Bladorn) of   SunPrairie, Roz (Nick) Bruckner of Mayville,   ""Grammy"" Cheryl Martingilio of Beloit, aunt and uncle Judy and Gary Skaar of Marshall, aunt Kathy Martingilio of Rockford, IL, Aunt Barb and uncle Larry Keeny of Waukesha, Aunt Tamara Evans of CA,   grandparents Pat and Merlin Hanson of Beloit, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, special friends Tom, Coke and Roxie.   She is also survived by Sophie and Peanut, both of whom kept her smiling.   She was preceded in death by her ""Grampy"" Leo Martingilio of Beloit.                        
                                       We would like to thank the following people:   First and foremost, Dr. Charles Diggs of Dean Oncology and his nurses Shawn and Jamie.   Dr Greg Matzke of Dean Medical Surgery, his surgical team, especially Adrianne. Dr Jonathon Treisman of Medical Oncology at St. Lukes in Milwaukee, and the Coordinator of Immunotherapy Jeannie Dettman.   Dr. Steve Siewert of Wildwood Clinic for caring for her as she journeyed throughout all of her medical needs.   A special thanks also to the staff of Wildwood Cottage Grove, Amy in particular.   All of the caring nurses at St. Mary's, especially Heide Hargas and Bob Jenks.   They made her feel very, very special. All of the nurses at St. Lukes in MRICU who cared for her, a special thanks to Tara Whiting, with whom she had an amazing bond.   Thanks to Patty and Wang for doting her.   A special thanks to Kirale and Stacy at the McFarland Walgreens for their help with her multitude of medications.   They helped greatly to keep her comfortable.   A very special thanks to Jenn, Deborah and Fran of HospiceCare for coming when they did, and for their amazing compassion.   Each   and every one of these people took Melissa and treated her with kid-gloves and made each obstacle look easy.   These people are the true heroes.   Melissa was everyone's favorite.   Her matter-of-fact approach and never ending smile made it that way.                          
                       Visitation will be from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm on Tuesday, March 2, 2010 at CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 3610 Speedway Rd, Madison.   Cremation will follow as per Melissa's request.                         
                        In lieu of flowers we would ask that donations be made to the Melissa Martingilio Trust Fund at Bank of Oregon for the benefit of Zachary and Trevor.   Donatons may be sent to P.O Box   8640 Madison, WI   53708, or to the Bank of Oregon, Oregon, WI.                                

You asked me if it was ""OK to go now.""  Not long after that you left us.  You showed me a love that I never knew before I met you.   Please know that everything will be OK.   Melissa, you taught me ""Love is patient, Love is kind, Love is not envious, or boastful, or arrogant, or rude.   It does not insist on its way, it is not irritable, or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth.   It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things.   Love Never Ends.   Love is Us.""                                                                                      I love You My Melissa,   
                                                                                                                           Stephen