Obituary of Melissa Jean Dunn

Melissa Dunn passed away peacefully in hospice on January 14, 2026 with her loving and devoted husband by her side. Melissa’s life ended much too soon, but after being diagnosed with cancer in 2024, she did everything she possibly could to live the remainder of her life in a fulfilling and purposeful way. 

Melissa leaves behind her two sons Robbie and Jody, her husband Rob, her parents Barb and Jean-Marc, step-mom Sylvie, parents in-law Bob and Carol and many family members and dear friends.

Mel was fun. She brought more life to everything she was a part of. She was the first to turn the music up louder. She always did right by the people she loved and made sure those people knew that she loved them.

She urged those that she cared about to pursue the things that they enjoyed and live for the moment. She always thought of others, she was always herself and she loved to be the host. She was the life of the party in the best possible way.

She grew up in a picturesque setting near the French River in Northern Ontario, spending much of her time outdoors while surrounded by her large and loving family. She grew to love art and music and being outside. She was beloved by her many friends throughout elementary and high school and made lasting bonds with her dear friends Jamie-Lyne Mayer, Lisette Legault and Marie-Aimee Rochon.

Mel moved to Sudbury to attend Cambrian College where she studied graphic design. There, she met life-long friends Stephanie Burke and Diana Dickson, who were ever-present for the rest of her life.

In 2009, on a trip to the Dominican Republic with Steph, Mel approached a strange man and asked him if he liked to dance. His name was Rob and it turned out that they would build a wonderful life together - one that Rob could have never imagined. They were married in 2015 and welcomed their son Robbie in 2016, followed by their second son Jody in 2018. 

As any parent can understand, Mel’s world changed when she became a Mom. For those around her, it was a joy to watch. 

She thrived at finding memorable things to do as a family, she made great friends by having her boys in activities and she worked two jobs in order to give Robbie and Jody more opportunities to have fun and to travel. Robbie, Jody and Rob are so fortunate to have had those experiences, almost always nurtured and created by Mel. She was tremendously proud of Robbie and Jody and always showed them how much she cherished them.

Those who knew Mel best may take comfort in knowing that many of the things that they’ll miss about her are also within them. Her kindness, her loving and accepting attitude, her sense of mischief and fun and her unwavering support for those she loved have rubbed off on us all.

Mel was always thinking of the needs of others, even when she was facing her own mortality. A few months before her death, she bought a children’s book called ‘Lifetimes’ by Bryan Mellonie and Robert Ingpen to help Robbie and Jody better understand her situation. An excerpt from the book follows;

So, no matter how long they are, or how short, lifetimes are really all the same. They all have beginnings, and endings, and there is living in between.

Mel’s greatest strength was embracing the living in between. She will be eternally missed by all who loved her.

If you would like to honour Mel, please consider an e-transfer donation  to honouringmdunn@gmail.com which will be used to support her family, as well as Dorothy Ley Hospice and Gilda’s Club of Toronto using the Donations Tab on her home page.

Please join us in celebrating Mel's life with visiting on Saturday, January 24, 2026 from 6:30 until 9 p.m., and on Sunday, January 25, 2026 from 11:15 a.m. until until a Tribute to her begins at 12:45 p.m. Cremation will follow with interment at a later date in a place where friends and family can continue to gather to remember her. All events noted above will be held at the eco Life Celebration Centre-Magnolia Chapel of St. John's Dixie Cemetery & Crematorium (737 Dundas Street East at Cawthra, Mississauga).

Guests are asked to park in the large lot adjacent to the church and proceed through the gates to the north to the main building ahead.

In the event of inclement weather, a live stream of Melissa's tribute will be made available by clicking THIS LINK HERE at approximlately 12:40 p.m. Virtual guests are remided to ensure they have their volume set to high and that no technical assistance will be made available. 

Please take a moment to share a memory, photo or story of her life here at complimentary memorial legacy page

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-Modern Funerals-

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