Melissa Wightman Janidlo, 60, wife of Patrick Janidlo, passed away on March 11 at Albany Medical Center surrounded by her family.
Born in Manhattan to Stephen Skeates and Rose Wightman, Melissa was raised in Andover and later Westfield, New York, by her mother and her adoptive father, Davie “Dave” Wightman. While attending SUNY Fredonia, she met Patrick, and they married soon after. She is survived by her sister, Jennifer Wightman Shearer; her children, Michael (Josephine “Jojo” Winter), Samuel, and Char; and her beloved granddaughter, Elizabeth, daughter of Michael and JoJo.
Melissa dedicated more than 30 years to New York State civil service, working at OPWDD, then OMH, and returning to OPWDD as Director of Medicaid Compliance before retiring in 2024. She and Patrick shared a deep love of travel, exploring museums and zoos, discovering new foods and wines, hiking trails, and simply enjoying the world together.
She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.
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