Obituary: Braintree Nurse Laurie Melchionda, 59

BRAINTREE, MA — Laurie Melchionda, 59, died on June 17 after being shot outside her Braintree home.

Melchionda was born to parents Mary E. Ellis and the late David S. Ellis. She married Robert Melchionda in October 1985 and is survived by her three children Robert F. Melchionda and finance Megan Mulcahy, Anthony Melchionda and wife Jessisa Melchionda, and Juliana Melchionda. She is also survived by her four siblings David Ellis, Jimmy Ellis, Mary-Lou Musto and Karalyn Clancy, along with many nieces and nephews.

Melchionda graduated Monsignor Ryan Memorial High School in 1979 before starting her education to become a nurse at UMASS Boston. She would also later go on to earn her Master's in education from Cambridge College.

Melchionda served as a nurse with Braintree Public Schools from 1997 until June 2018, when she left to become the director of health services in Weston. She worked at Flaherty Elementary School in Braintree.

Melchionda served on the Board of Health since October 2016. Town officials said she was a positive influence in the community.

"We are heartbroken by the tragic loss of Laurie Melchionda," Mayor Charles Kokoros said. "She was a wonderful mother, wife, daughter, sister, aunt and friend to all who knew her, myself included. I know I speak for Superintendent Hackett and the School Committee when I say that Laurie dedicated her life to helping others and her kindness and love will be sorely missed."

"The Braintree Board of Health, Braintree Health Department and the Town of Braintree have lost a wonderful public health official and good friend today," added Marybeth McGrath, the town's health director. "Laurie was a true champion and advocate of public and environmental health and was incredibly devoted to the positive health and well-being of the residents of our community."

A wake is scheduled for 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Pecks Funeral Home at 516 Washington St. All are invited to attend.

A private funeral was scheduled for 10:30 a.m., Thursday at St. Francis of Asssisi, but the public is invited to line the streets of the funeral procession after it ends. The estimated start time for the procession is 11:30 a.m. The travel route is as follows:

1. From the Church continued southbound on Washington Street;
2. Right turn at the intersection of Washington Street @ Pearl St/Hancock St, continuing on Washington St;
3. Right turn onto Tremont Street;
4. Right turn onto Central Avenue passing Thayer Academy;
5. Left turn onto Washington Street;
6. Left turn onto West Street;
7. Right turn onto Walnut Street;
8. Right turn onto Parkside Avenue;
9. Left turn onto Acorn Street;
10. Left turn onto Howie Road;
11. Left turn onto Walnut Street;
12. Right turn onto West Street;
13. Right turn into Blue Hill Cemetery