Melissa Chudy, director of development

Chudy

Melissa Chudy, 46, of Williamsville, director of development for the Amherst Youth Foundation, died Sunday, Oct. 1, 2006, in Roswell Park Cancer Institute.

Born Melissa Reed in Buffalo, she was a graduate of Buffalo Seminary and Hartwick College.

Mrs. Chudy worked from 2003 to August 2006 as Director of Development for the Amherst Youth Foundation. Her key role was creating a conversion of the former Hutchinson Hose Fire Hall into the Independent Health Family & Youth Center.

From 1989 to 2003, she ran a catering business called Desserts by Melissa, which specialized in gourmet desserts. She supplied desserts to the cast and crew of "Manna From Heaven" which was filmed on location in Buffalo and made one of its stars, Cloris Leachman, a birthday cake.

In 1999, Mrs. Chudy was temporary director of development for Park School.

She was a buyer for department stores in the 1980's for Lord and Taylor in New York City, Beirs in Niagara Falls, and Bergers in Buffalo.

On June 28, 2006, she went to Washington, D.C., representing Roswell Park Cancer Institute and was the only cancer patient to take part in a lobbying effort by the American Association for Cancer Research and the Association of American Cancer Institutes.

Her family said she finished radiation therapy at 2 p.m. and traveled to Washington that evening. She was asked to attend next year.

Known for her hat collection, her family said she had endless energy to facilitate relationships among the community. She was also a leader in promoting the betterment of programming and asset building of youth.

Mrs. Chudy had a life-long membership in Pythonga Fish and Game Camp in Quebec. She spent summers at Lorraine Beach in Port Colborne, Ont. After chemotherapy in April, she traveled to Scotland.

In 1997, she was a soiree chair for Buffalo Seminary. From 2000 to 2003, she served on the Amherst Youth Board and was chairperson for the Board's relay challenge from 2000 to 2001. She also belonged to the Williamsville Music Boosters and Association of Fundraising Professionals.

She also performed yoga, reflexology, and liked skiing, biking and swimming.

Mrs. Chudy is survived by her husband, John E. III; two sons, Robert Reed and James McWilliams; three sisters, Rebecca DeFields, Ann Moellen; and Dorthea Martel.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 14 from Calvary Episcopal Church, Cayuga and Milton St., Williamsville.

Arrangements were made by Perna-Pellegrino Funeral Home.