Senate Resolution No. 1131
BY: Senator BIAGGI
MOURNING the death of Jenna Ellen Melanson,
distinguished educator and devoted member of her
community
WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
citizens of the State of New York whose lifework and civic endeavor
served to enhance the quality of life in their communities and this
great Empire State; and
WHEREAS, Jenna Ellen Melanson of Brooklyn, New York, died on
Tuesday, March 9, 2021, at the age of 37; and
WHEREAS, Born on February 17, 1984, in North Adams, Massachusetts,
Jenna Ellen Melanson was the daughter of Suzanne Sinclitico Salerno and
Dean Melanson; and
WHEREAS, Jenna Ellen Melanson graduated from Mt. Greylock High
School in 2002, before graduating from MCLA, Class of 2006; and
WHEREAS, After college, Jenna Ellen Melanson worked in the North
Adams School System as a teacher's aide; her interest was working with
special need children; and
WHEREAS, In 2017, Jenna Ellen Melanson moved to New York City to
further her education attending Brooklyn College where she received an
advance autism certification; two years later, she was excepted into the
Master of Social Work program at Fordham University where she would have
graduated from in May of this year; and
WHEREAS, Jenna Ellen Melanson distinguished herself in her
profession and by her sincere dedication and substantial contribution to
the welfare of her community; and
WHEREAS, Jenna Ellen Melanson's lifelong dream was to "Save the
World" and help others; anyone who knew her knew of her willingness to
assist others and to always go the extra mile; and
WHEREAS, Jenna Ellen Melanson had a crazy laugh and a love for
politics; through her Fordham Master of Social Work program, she worked
as an intern for New York State Senator Alessandra Biaggi from the Fall
of 2020 until March of 2021; in her honor, the Senator's District Office
Intern Program will be named the Jenna Melanson Intern Program; and
WHEREAS, Predeceased by her grandparents, Louis "Pappa" and
Constance "Nonnie" Sinclitico, her Aunt Joan Brightman, Grandfather
Lloyd Melanson, and Step Father Joe Salerno, Jenna Ellen Melanson is
survived by her wife, Jaimie (Jones) Melanson who she married September
22, 2017; her brother, Chad Melanson and his wife, Gift, and their
daughter, Brianna; two aunts, Diane Dickerman and her husband, Charlie,
and Julie Hanify who Jenna lived with for several years in Hancock; and
her grandmother, Carol Melanson; and
WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of
compassion, Jenna Ellen Melanson leaves behind a legacy which will long
endure the passage of time and will remain as a comforting memory to all
she served and befriended; she will be truly missed by many; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the death of Jenna Ellen Melanson, and to express its most sincere
condolences to her family; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of Jenna Ellen Melanson.
