Ms Melissa Louise Sandstrom

Melissa Louise Sandstrom was born October 26, 1986 in Fairfax, VA. She died at age 31 on September 21, 2018 at her home in Raleigh, NC.  Melissa was the daughter of Terri Yow and the late Denny Mack.

She grew up in Vienna, VA and attended George C. Marshall High School in Falls Church, VA and studied at Northern Virginia Community College. 

Melissa moved to the Raleigh area in 2010 and was employed by Robert Half International as an administrator at the time of her death. She had an artistic flair and was working towards gaining rapport as a custom designer of decals on Etsy.

Melissa, also known to family as Missy, had a love for music and will be remembered for her creative nature and quick wit. She also loved the beach, as well as spending time at the pool.

 Melissa is survived by her daughter, Amber Jade Hallaj (a smart, enthusiastic 8-year old who inherited her mother’s beautiful smile and fun-loving demeanor); mother, Terri Yow Petersen and husband Ron; grandparents Nels and Sharon Sandstrom; aunts and uncles Cindy Lawson,  Richard and Linnea Sandstrom; Karin Clark,  Kris and Don Goewey,  Greg Yow and Zuzana Hudakova, and Jenni Murray; and cousins,  Inga Lewis,  Rick Sandstrom,  Rick Nash,  Thomas Nash, Chelsea Gillespie, Garrett Goewey, Samantha Underwood,  Cameron Goewey and Emma Yow.

Visitation will be held Saturday, October 13, at 12:00 p.m.,  followed by services in the chapel at Bright Funeral Home, 405 South Main Street, Wake Forest, NC at 1 PM. Interment will be private in Fairfax, VA at a later date.

The family invites you to share your memories of Melissa, at the Celebration of Life reception at the Heritage View Clubhouse, 1037 Marshall Farm Street, Wake Forest, NC from 2 to 4 PM after the services conclude. Consider wearing a splash of purple…. it was Melissa’s favorite color.

If you wish to make a donation in memory of Melissa, please send to the National Alliance on Mental Illness at https://www.nami.org/Get-Involved/Donate, 1-888-999-NAMI (6264) or NAMI PO Box 49104 Baltimore, MD 21297.

www.brightfunerals.com

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