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Melissa Jane Hill Whittemore of Gainesville, passed away on April 18, 1993 at Shands Hospital. She was 42 years old. Born in Amarillo, TX Melissa moved to Gainesville in 1995. She was a homemaker and taught her children at home until they reached the 9th grade. Survivors included her husband, Mark T. Whittemore, her mother Janie Hill; two daughters, Mary M. Whittemore and Margaret J. Whittemore; a son, Mark T. Whittemore, Jr. all of Gainesville; two sisters, Rebecca Hill Perkins of Andalusia, AL and Debra Hill McAllister of Vero Beach; and a brother, Timothy Hill of Gainesville.
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Brenda Buckner (Prescott)
Melissa & I grew up together and cheered together all through high school. She was probably one of the most unique people I have ever known and one of my best friends. We stayed in touch over the years and when she passed away Debbie Lane Norman, June Harris Valella, and I traveled to her funeral in Gainesville. When we met her children it was obvious that Melissa had left her legacy in them & she would be with us forever. I will never forget her or her interpretation of Pat Gilbert's "dance".Ginger Fortner Robertson (Deceased) ('70)
As Debbie's high school friend we were in awe of Melissa and her gang (Brenda, Aggie, etc.) we would try to listen to their conversations while acting like we were doing something else.That was hard since the Hill home was not very big - Melissa had qa way of tripping us up with disinformation.
In other words, saying something outrageous than we it would have been hard for us to keep silent.
She was a doll - to think that I have lived and worked within the Gainvesille area and did not know she was here. I can't imagine anyone I would have had out in an audience on opening night than Melissa who had a wonderful way of telling you you needed more rehearsal without hurting your feelings. LOL
Why don't we know these things? Why did we seem to be so busy in our little worlds that we didnt keep up with people we really liked?