Melissa Joan Regelin-Sweetman, age 45, of Bridgeville, Delaware, formerly of Calvert County, Maryland died on Tuesday January 23, 2018 at the Heartland Hospice House in Wilmington Delaware.
Known as “Missy” to her family she was a gentle soul who faced illness with an inner strength most will never know. Missy was born to Lawrence and Nancy Regelin in Prince Georges County, Maryland. As a child Missy loved Eeyore, and it was something she held into through out her life. She always seemed to find the sunshine through the clouds, the best in others and the silver lining on the cloudiest of days. Missy was a survivor of cancer, and the grateful recipient of an unrelated bone marrow transplant in 2002. She turned that experience into an opportunity to help others by participating in the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life and hosting numerous fundraisers to help others. Sadly, her cancer returned late last year, and for the second time in her life she fought bravely and looked for hope at every turn. When she had done everything she needed to do and decided she had had enough she quietly slipped away with her husband by her side. Those of us who knew and loved her will never say she lost her fight. She passed away on her own terms, with dignity and grace.
Melissa grew up in North Beach Maryland and was educated in the Calvert Count school system. She graduated from Northern High School in 1990 and went on to obtain an undergraduate degree in Social Work and a graduate degree in Early Education. After her graduation she went to work for AmeriCorps as part of an early program to computerize the schools in Delaware. It was during her time with AmeriCorps she met her husband Brian, who stayed by her side through the good times and the bad. There were never two people more meant for one another or who understood what promising to love one another “in sickness and in health” really meant. Together they raised their family and settled into their home in Bridgeville. Her greatest joy in life was becoming a grandmother. Her face never shined as brightly as it did when her grandchildren were nearby. As well as being blessed with a wonderful family Melissa was fortunate enough to have an amazing circle of friends. She was an honorary “Red Hat” as a young woman, she traveled with her friends on wonderful “girl adventures” often, and those friends encircled her with love and support at her darkest times.
Missy leaves a family and friends who will miss her greatly. Our world will be a little less bright without her. She is survived by her husband Brian Sweetman of Bridgeville Delaware, her father Lawrence Regelin of Newark, Delaware, her sister Christy Kaiser and her husband James of Milford, Delaware and her sister Kelly Grube and her husband Dave of Newark. In addition, she is survived by her step-sons Nicholas Harper and his girlfriend Sharon of Dover, Delaware, Geoff Harper-Sweetman and his girlfriend Rachel of Bridgeville, Delaware and her step-daughter Calypso Harper-Sweetman and her fiancé Steve of Milford, Delaware, her in-laws Betty and John Sweetman and Walter Sweetman of Bear Delaware, her nephews Matthew Goldsmith of Chandler Arizona and Michael Goldsmith of Newark Delaware and her niece Madison Martin and her husband Denis of Wilmington, Delaware, her beloved New York cousins Melissa, Billy, Jane, Darleen, Cherie, Renee and Jose and her beautiful grandchildren who gave her life meaning and joy: Aolani, Novalynn, Aiden, CJ, Austin, Zoey, Jacob and Mickey. Melissa was predeceased by her mother Nancy Regelin, her nephew David Bell, her aunt and uncle Kathy and George Hope, her dear friend and “other mother” Jean Sowell , her aunts Marian Cuellar Joan Kedron and her grandparents John and Helena Steele. We know they were waiting at the gates of heaven to welcome her to a new life of wellness and peace. We are comforted by knowing she is no longer sick and that we will see her again one day.
A Celebration of Life will begin with a visitation from 9am – 11 am with a memorial service to follow on February 3, 2018 at the Chandler Funeral home at 7230 Lancaster Pike, Hockessin, Delaware. Interment will be private at a later date.
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