Melissa Rose Ripley

August 2, 1980 – May 18, 2015

Melissa Rose Ripley, 34 years of age, passed away unexpectedly on May 18, 2015 at her home on Bainbridge Island, WA. Melissa was born in Idaho Falls, ID on August 2, 1980 and grew up on her family’s land outside of Nevada City, CA with her mother Rose, her father Richard, and her two younger siblings Louisa and Rich.

Melissa graduated from the University of Oregon with a Bachelor of Science in Education and worked her way through school teaching young children. While in college, she met Brian Sullivan, who would become her lifelong spouse. After college, they moved to Washington where Melissa obtained her Montessori Early Childhood Credentials. For the next 11 years Melissa continued her teaching career, touching the lives of young children on Bainbridge Island as well as in Seattle every day. The impact that Melissa had on her students, her friends and family cannot be expressed in words, but those who were lucky enough to know her and feel her love and laughter were forever changed for the better.

Melissa is survived by her parents, Rose Gibson and Richard Ripley, her sister Louisa Ripley, her brother Rich Ripley, her step-brother Jens Jensen and Brian Sullivan, her loving spouse.

There will be a small service held near her family’s home in California.

Cards and letters can be sent to:

4949 NE Avalon Lane

Bainbridge Island, WA 98110