From the notice in the Down-syn list serv:It is with deep sadness that we have to tell you of the passing of Melissa Ann Riggio, 20-year old daughter of Steve Riggio (Barnes & Noble CEO) and his wife, Laura, and sister to Laura and Christina.
Melissa passed away peacefully this morning, Monday, April 7, at 6:00 a.m. at University Hospital of Columbia and Cornell in Manhattan.
She was surrounded by her parents, sisters, aunts and uncles, and cousins. There will be a funeral service on Friday in New Jersey. Details will be forthcoming.
As so many of you know, Melissa was diagnosed with leukemia last summer and since that time she fought long and hard to overcome the disease.
Last June, she graduated from Bernards High School in Bernardsville, New Jersey, where she was crowned Prom Queen.
Melissa was so grateful to the many people who reached out to offer their support by donating blood, platelets, and sending cards and letters.
Through it all, Melissa remained strong and optimistic. She was an inspiration to everyone who had the opportunity to know her.
Although Melissa was born with Down Syndrome, she lived a full and extraordinary life. Melissa worked at the YMCA in Bernardsville and recently talked about entering a post secondary program so that she could become a counselor at the YMCA. She loved to read and listen to music, and she loved to write. Melissa was a poet and songwriter. Melissa was taking voice, drama, and dance lessons as she also aspired to become a singer one day. Some of Melissa's songs were recorded by singer/songwriter, Rachel Fuller.
This is her web page http://www.riggio.net/index.htm
I Have Down Syndrome. Know Me Before You Judge Me. http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/Stories/PeoplePlaces/Downsyndrome
Download Melissa Riggio's Songs, Love is a PotionandThe Ring http://www.riggio.net/music.htm
How Melissa touched just one family's life http://momseatofpants.blogspot.com/2008/04/melissa-riggio.html
