Wednesday, June 14, 2023 5:57 am

Melissa (Pelchat) Sousa died peacefully on June 9, 2023, after spending the day with those she loved the most.

Melissa was born Aug. 17, 1967, in Hyannis, Mass. She graduated from Bourne High School and from McIntosh College. She worked in commercial underwriting for over 20 years, most recently with Risk Strategies Company.

Melissa handled her illness the same way she lived her life by following the little known 4 C Method: Cruises, Casinos, Crumbl Cookies and Caramel (extra, extra). Mel never met a cruise or casino she didn't love and spent as much time as she could cruising.

Her sense of humor, as dark as it could be, never faltered (much to the chagrin of some). Her love for family and friends was like no other. She loved her village hard. She loved her "stinky babies" fierce and wanted nothing more than to see her grandbabies grow up healthy and happy.

Anyone who ever had the privilege of listening to Melissa sing knows that she is off belting out some incredible tune today for a whole new audience of fans.

Melissa leaves behind a huge hole in the hearts of her husband, Kevin, sons Kyle Sprague and Kelsey Elliott, step-daughter Amanda Sousa, siblings Kelly "Smelly Cat" and Ed Marti, Joe Fortier, Cindy and Phil Burnell, Bonnie and Mick Giddens, in-laws Ron and Susan Sousa, David Sousa, Michael and Terry Sousa, grandchildren Joel Sprague, Brendon Sprague, Bayleigh and Brooke Raucci, special niece Morgan and Brandon Angers, her great niece Liliana, special nephew Lance and Sarah Atkinson-Pelchat, her great nephew and niece Lance and Serenity, special nephew Bradley Fortier; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and greats, and bestie Lisa Greenwaldt.

Melissa was predeceased by her spitfire daughter Kayleigh Raucci, her mother Karen Fortier, her father Richard Fortier and her mother-in-law, Barbara Sousa.