Melissa K. Baxter

Melissa Kathleen Stewart Baxter passed away Sunday, August 16, after a courageous battle with metastatic breast cancer. Born in 1975, Melissa moved to Gibbstown, N.J., from Trenton with her parents Bill and Kathy and sister Laura when she entered the seventh grade. It was a move that would ultimately put down roots that lasted the rest of her life. Melissa was a 1994 graduate of St. James High School in Carneys Point, N.J. In 2000, she graduated from Rowan University in Glassboro, N.J., where she earned degrees in communication and elementary education. For decades, Melissa served as a middle school educator in Cumberland County’s Upper Deerfield School District, teaching English Language Arts and science at the Woodruff School. Active in her union, Melissa also earned Teacher of the Year honors in her district.Later, she became a young men’s youth basketball coach for the Gibbstown Warriors, undoubtedly bringing her years of teacher training, leadership skills, and a talent for keeping people in line to the position. Living and volunteering in the town where she grew up, Melissa built deep roots in the Gibbstown community. She formed friendships with the parents of her sons’ friends, adding to an ever-widening circle of friends from her coaching, teaching, college, high school, and even middle school days. These friends bore witness to her signature sense of humor, acerbic wit, and sometimes brutal honesty. They saw her enjoy some of life’s simple pleasures: an unsweetened iced tea (with Splenda), a Bloody Mary, the Chicken Paisano from Italian Affair. They all knew of her love of the color pink, weddings, turtles, and pets, especially her faithful shadow, Rosie. Travel remained another constant throughout Melissa’s adult life. From a Paris and London honeymoon to an epic Alaskan journey just a few weeks before her death, Melissa logged countless miles with family and friends, exploring both new countries and domestic destinations. Closer to home, Melissa was always happy at the beach. On any given summer day, you could find her relaxing down the shore. Stone Harbor, Cape May, and Long Beach Island were among her very favorites. Her closest travelling companion was her husband of 20 years, Kenneth Dane Baxter, Jr. Melissa relished being a devoted wife; together, she and Kenny built a beautiful family and life in her hometown. There was no doubt Melissa’s favorite place to be was anywhere with her sons, Mason Dane and Tristan Liam. Melissa embraced motherhood with absolute devotion and unbridled joy. Those who knew her were privileged to witness the fierce love she poured into raising them. She leaves behind her amazing father William Stewart and mother Kathleen Stewart; steadfast sister Laura Dubovsky (Stan); niece Adele Dubovsky and nephew Dominic Dubovsky; adoring husband, Kenny; the center of her world sons, Mason and Tristan; suction-cup pup, Rosie; construction-grade cat, Leia; and a countless legion of loyal friends. Melissa was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, William Reeder and Donna Reeder; paternal grandparents, Emma Schmit and Duncan Stewart; and father-in-law Kenneth Dane Baxter, Sr. A celebration of Melissa’s extraordinary life will be held Sunday, August 30, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Saint Michael’s Mutual Club, 406 Memorial Ave., Gibbstown. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Homeward Bound Pet Adoption Center, 125 County House Road, Blackwood NJ 08012. Arrangements by LANDOLFI FUNERAL HOME of Paulsboro, 300 W. Broad St., Paulsboro NJ 08066. To share memories/condolences please visit www.landolfifuneralhome.com