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Janice Joy Melisi Memorial Foundation

Established 2023

The Janice Joy Melisi Memorial Foundation (aka Joy Foundation) was established to continue the loving and caring legacy of Janice Joy Melisi. The Foundation will support kids attending mission trips through Our Lady Of Mercy of Aurora and provide toys, blankets and items of joy to children undergoing pediatric cancer treatments. Janice Melisi (1954 – 2022) spent most of her life in southern California before her husband, John Melisi Sr., and three kids, Rebecca Melisi, John Melisi Jr., Joseph Melisi, moved to Aurora, Illinois in 1995. Janice loved singing, horses, attending mass and being a close part of her parish, cheering the Chicago Cubs, chatting over cups of coffee with friends, making a beautiful home, and being with her “hubby”. Janice was always in service of others and a deeply dedicated to God’s work. Above all else, Janice loved being a wife to her husband and a mother to her three kids, even sometimes adopting her children’s friends as kids of her own. Being a mother and a wife was her greatest joy and most proud achievement.

 

 


Tributes to Janice Joy Melisi:

Mom gave our family an unbreakable strength through love and forged a bond between us that will last a lifetime. She had a gravity to her—every soul that orbited her was immediately drawn in, welcomed, cared for, and treated as family. She was devout catholic—a shining example of “do onto others as you’d have done to you. Mom was particularly brilliant at making people feel at ease and heard. She listened attentively, understood quickly, she gave validation when you felt alone and offered advice and perspective when you needed it.

Mom was endlessly supportive. Of the sports we wanted to play, instruments we wanted to learn, projects and backyard hockey rinks we wanted to build and of the friends and people we welcomed into our lives—she was always all in. Mom called you on your bull. She had no patience for smoke or brown nosing. She brought all of herself to everyone truthfully and honestly and if you couldn’t do the same, she’d let you know.

Mom was the most beautiful and caring person I will ever know. I know every morning when I look in the mirror and see the red in my beard, I’ll be reminded that though she is no longer with us on Earth, that she’s always with me and her legacy proceeds through me, and my siblings. We miss you so much, Mom. I love you.

– Joseph Gene Melisi


She always had the gift of listening. Her words were soft, non-judgmental, caring, and I always left our conversations with a new perspective. I miss her tremendously. I’ll love her always.

– Esther James


Dearest Janice, I will always remember your thick red hair and that little poncho you use to wear to Teen Club events. You are a stellar example of a strong and resilient women who was devoted to her husband and children. Your faith in God and love of your Church served as an example to many including me. I keep thinking God gave in and allowed that extra earthly time to witness the marriage of your two sons but really couldn’t wait for your lovely company in the heavens. Missing you. Loving you.

– Elsa Padres


May the love and hearts she touched stay with all those who knew her. She was a best friend anyone could ever have.

– Allyson Martini


Janice my only sister, was one of Gods strongest soldiers. Her kindness and love she had was unbeatable She always for as long as I can remember put family first which was most important to her I want to thank my sister for the care she took with my brother Christopher and always putting him first She is now at peace and she is with Christ, Chris, Dad and mom I know I never told you enough, how much I loved you and how much I appreciated you But I did with all my heart! REST IN PEACE my dear sister.

– Warren Rich


You have been a beacon of faith, hope, & love to all who have been fortunate to know you. We look forward to another SJV reunion in a distant future in the heavens above! Much love.

Denise & Tom Chavira


Janice will be missed. She loved to sing Blue Bayou. She had fun parties, and an excellent hostess. Always had a smile and a song in her heart. We were very sorry to hear of her passing.

– Denise Walker


Visit Janice’s Facebook

Read her eulogy beautifully written by close family friend Cindy Mooney.

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Michelle Emanuel

Donor and Past Scholarship Recipient

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Neal Ormond

Donor & Fund Advisor

YEP was a great experience to have in high school. I became a more confident person, someone with a lot more perspective. Coming from a small school, YEP allowed me to branch out into my community, meet students from other schools, and learn about their backgrounds. I made some great friends and still keep in touch with them today.

Abby Vagnoni

YEP Alumni

YEP has made me realize the importance of being involved in my community, and how to make a difference. There are a lot of problems in the world but if we can do everything that we can to help the world will become a better place. YEP has helped me realize this and encouraged me to help more people in the future.

Madi Porter

YEP Member

I am incredibly grateful for the generosity of the Zari Foundation Scholarship and the Community Foundation in supporting my education. I am majoring in mechanical engineering with a concentration in aerospace engineering at the Rose-Hulman Institue of Technology. In my spare time, I volunteer on campus, in the community and I’m also the principal violist in the symphony orchestra. I hope to make an impact on the next chapter of space exploration by eventually working at a groundbreaking aerospace company such as SpaceX or NASA.

Taytum Newell

Albert M. Zari Scholarship Recipient

Being a part of the Community Foundation scholarship committee is the highlight of my year. For many, a scholarship from the CFFRV is the reason they are able to continue reaching for their dreams and changing the future of our world. I hope each recipients knows just how inspirational they are to those of us who are lucky enough to read their stories.

Jessica Breugelmans

Scholarship Committee Member and Board Member

Grant funds from the Community Foundation helped provide updated technology. These upgrades were transformative. By creating new time saving processes, it turned us into a more efficient organization.

Marie Wilkinson Food Pantry

Grantee

Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley

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