On her 55th birthday, after a beautiful day spent with a life-long friend, Melanie passed away. Her death was sudden and without suffering. Known as Mel to all who ever met her, she leaves behind her devoted, loving husband Mark Willis. Predeceased by her father Tony, she will be greatly missed by her loving family: mother Birute "Bita", sister Nicole, brother in law Murray, adored nephews Mark and Luke, her aunts Aldona and Rasa, cousins Judy and Chester and their family, Jonas and Elena, and their girls Julia, Emma and Lilia. Mark's brother, Gerard Willis, nephew Ryan, and sister in law Diane will fondly miss her.

Mel touched the lives of everyone she met. With her immensely generous heart and deep passion for human connection, she made genuine friends along the way and kept you all so close. By grace, she spent her final day in laughter, with her dear friend, Lynn, for whom we could not be more grateful.

As a family, we are overwhelmed with the number of people who have reached out to universally say: She had the greatest smile, the most genuine laugh, and was truly an inspiration.

Visitation will take place at Turner & Porter Butler Chapel, 4933 Dundas St. W. Etobicoke (between Islington & Kipling Aves.) on Tuesday from 2-4 and 6-9 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be held at Church of the Resurrection, 1 Resurrection Rd. Etobicoke on Wednesday, April 17, 2019 at 11 a.m.

A celebration of Melanie’s life will be held in warmer weather and sunnier times.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Melanie Pichler’s Memory to the Transplant Program at the Toronto General Hospital. The amazing team who gifted her 20 years of life. Toronto General & Western Hospital Foundation 416-603-6278 or online at www.tgwf.ca