Melanie Gignac Obituary

Mel was our principal for a short period. A great lady.

Elise George

My sincere sympathy to the family of Melanie Gignac. She was my 8th grade teacher at St. Symphorosa Grammar School in 1977-1978. I learned a great deal from her as she inspired me to do my best, so much so that I followed in her footsteps and currently am a teacher myself. I hope that I can touch a fraction of the lives that she has.

To Mel's Family and Friends,



I feel like I know all of you, through Mel's many stories. I had the pleasure of working with Mel in her GECC days and we have remained friends all this time. I have counted her among my dearest friends. You were all very lucky to have her and to have the close family that you all have. She loved each of you in a special way. She had a special love for everyone she met.



I will desperately miss not talking to her or not meeting her for dinner. I thank God for bringing Melanie into my life. She is at peace now with God her father.



We send our deepest sympathies and love.



Tom and Ann Wenholz

To all of Mel's wonderful family,

As I write to you from Florida, I want to express my deepest sympathy to all of you. Mel and I taught together at St. Syms for three years and along with Peg Schultz had the time of our lives. We loved the kids, families and all our escapades together. That smile and laugh of Mel's was infectious and she touched our hearts in so many ways. I still think about our time in Greek town or our dinners at Peg's place where we laughed till it hurt.

Peg and I were so fortunate to have seen Mel recently and we had the nicest dinner catching up on things. When Mel shared her health problems, she was so optimistic and brave. She really was a special angel to all of us and she loved all of you, brothers, sisters and nieces and nephews so very much.

I will miss her and take comfort in all the wonderful memories I have of our times together.

All of you are in my thoughts and prayers, too.

Maribeth Callahan

[email protected]

Dear Dzialowy family,

Lou-Mae and I offer our sincere sympathy on the passing of Melanie.

She frequently would have Paul and I over to her house in Cicero when we were in high school. When we were seniors Melanie asked us to help judge the Chicago Science Fair at the Museum of Science and Industry.

Your family is in our prayers,

Paul and Lou-Mae Russo

I was saddened to learn of Mel's death. I had her as a science teacher at St. Symphorosa Sch. back in the early 70's, and saw her several times in my adulthood through mutual friends.

I remember her as a kind, dedicated teacher with a great sense of humor. What a gift she was to her students!

My condolences to her family and many friends.

To Mel's family and many friends,



When I heard the news yesterday, what I felt was "Gentle peace". While I was only blessed to work with Mel for one short school year, I know that her gentle voice and smile touched a multitude of students, coworkers, and school families throughout her years of service to Catholic schools. Mel will be remembered always with gentle peace and with hearts full of love. I will miss her.



Cath Belt

Former School Secretary

St. James School, Sauk Village

Dear Dzialowy Family,



I can't begin to express my sympathy to you as a family. I know how much you will miss her. Mel was always there for everyone! She was so good at getting the St. Dom's group together. As I look back over the 37 years that I have known her, my most memorable thought is what a good sport she always was. At Dom's she was "the Fish of the Dorm" It was great fun for all of us. No matter where we went Mel would always pop up and say "pick me up I'm right on the way" which of course she rarely was, but we picked her up any way.

I am in Florida and will not be able to be with you during this sorrowful time, but believe me my thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time!



Rosemary McMahon