Obituary of
Lory, Melissa Ellen (Thomas)
Melissa Ellen Thomas Lory of Frisco, Texas, passed into peace January 14, 2017, dying after a long struggle with addiction. She was born Monday, March 10, 1969.
Mel grew up in Richardson. She went on to get a degree in Criminal Justice at Cal State University at Hayward and then earned her Master’s in Counseling at Amberton University in Frisco. She was an outstanding employee as a training director and mentored others who found success in their fields.
Our girl was beautiful, brilliant, outgoing, and generous, with a great sense of humor. She got sober January 29, 1990 and was very active in recovery, helping many people get sober and stay sober. When she loved you, she was all in – she would wade into the messy parts of your life as well as the joyful parts. She treasured her friends, loved her family, and adored her sons. Melissa was full of life, compassion, empathy, joy and passion. Those qualities reached far and wide and she was self-less in so many ways in how she loved others. She loved hard and she loved well - sometimes to her detriment.
Melissa was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009, which required pain medication. Addiction got the upper hand and Melissa could not stay sober for more than a few months at a time after that, though she tried and tried and tried.
Melissa was preceded in death by her father, Charlton E. Thomas; and her son, Cameron Farrer.
She is survived by her family who cherishes her; sons, Tristan and Sutton Lory and Anthony Farrer; mother, Ellen Cassidy and step-father, Dick Cassidy; brother, Maury Thomas and his wife, Carin; step-sister, Katy Cassidy; nieces, Madison Thomas, Kennedy Thomas, and Alicia Norwood; step-niece, Emily Hickman; step-grandmother, Gracalie Davis; aunts, uncles, cousins, and literally hundreds of friends (including her, Shiloh Shepherd, Jayden) - all loved her and ached with her struggle. While we grieve her passing and the tremendous loss of this bright light, we know that love like hers doesn’t go away. It’s here with us forever.
A Celebration of Her Life will be held Sunday, January 29, at 2:00 p.m. in the Brooks Family Chapel of the North Dallas Funeral Home, 2710 Valley View Lane, Farmers Branch, Texas 75234.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made the educational fund set up for her sons, Tristan and Sutton Lory, at Legacy Texas banks. We thank you for the outpouring of love and support.
Please leave the family condolences and share memories on this website.
Tribute Wall of Lory, Melissa Ellen (Thomas)
From Maureen and son Eugene – Winston School 1970s – so sad to learn of the death of your bright and beautiful Melissa, as is Eugene. Sending our love and condolences to the family.
Maureen Tabatabai
Thursday October 13, 2022
From Maureen and son Eugene - Winston School 1970s - so sad to learn of the death of your bright and beautiful Melissa, as is Eugene. Sending our love and condolences to the family.
May she rest in peace – I was devastated to learn of her passing this through this obituary. The circumstances surrounding her passing made it nothing but more tragic and heart, wrenching. The last time I saw her was at DWF airport boarding a flight along with her brother to El Paso. I recall her as an extremely bright, socially outgoing and competitive person with a witty streak. I was proud to learn she pursued and completed her education part of it in my home state of California. Her good character came from her parents both of whom had strong morals and put others before themselves. My thoughts and prayers go out to her family –
Gene T
Thursday October 13, 2022
May she rest in peace - I was devastated to learn of her passing this through this obituary. The circumstances surrounding her passing made it nothing but more tragic and heart, wrenching. The last time I saw her was at DWF airport boarding a flight along with her brother to El Paso. I recall her as an extremely bright, socially outgoing and competitive person with a witty streak. I was proud to learn she pursued and completed her education part of it in my home state of California. Her good character came from her parents both of whom had strong morals and put others before themselves. My thoughts and prayers go out to her family -
We are so sorry for your loss – we have no words but her love and legacy shine bright in her children and all who knew her. May her memory be a blessing and may you find comfort and strength. Sending love, prayers and light
Kent and Corrie Long
Thursday October 13, 2022
We are so sorry for your loss - we have no words but her love and legacy shine bright in her children and all who knew her. May her memory be a blessing and may you find comfort and strength. Sending love, prayers and light
I’m going miss my aunt so much I can’t believe she is going I’m will always have you in my heart love you auntie
Alicia Northrop
Thursday October 13, 2022
I'm going miss my aunt so much I can't believe she is going I'm will always have you in my heart love you auntie
I was so saddened to hear of Mel’s passing. I know she loved her kids dearly. She was an inspirations to me and helped me during some very trying times. She was a wonderful, fun and loving person. My deepest sympathy
Rae James,
Thursday October 13, 2022
I was so saddened to hear of Mel's passing. I know she loved her kids dearly. She was an inspirations to me and helped me during some very trying times. She was a wonderful, fun and loving person. My deepest sympathy
Sending you strength and prayers to remember Melissa and the wonderful person she was. May her many gifts to you in her lifetime bring comfort now.
Pamela Klevesahl
Thursday October 13, 2022
Sending you strength and prayers to remember Melissa and the wonderful person she was. May her many gifts to you in her lifetime bring comfort now.
RIP Melissa, your pain has been relieved. My thoughts and prayers for the family and friends that are left behind to cherish her forever in our hearts and minds.
Carolyn Jenkins
Thursday October 13, 2022
RIP Melissa, your pain has been relieved. My thoughts and prayers for the family and friends that are left behind to cherish her forever in our hearts and minds.
I didn’t know her well, but she was a kind, bright spirit and I enjoyed the few encounters I had with her. She was honest and real and I pray for peace and comfort for the family during this most difficult time.
Carla Rowell
Thursday October 13, 2022
I didn't know her well, but she was a kind, bright spirit and I enjoyed the few encounters I had with her. She was honest and real and I pray for peace and comfort for the family during this most difficult time.
A beautiful girl grew into a beautiful woman. Her journey was filled with potholes and she overcame them to become a loving person. May she rest in peace and forever in our hearts.
eace
Patricia Vaughan
Thursday October 13, 2022
A beautiful girl grew into a beautiful woman. Her journey was filled with potholes and she overcame them to become a loving person. May she rest in peace and forever in our hearts.
eace
Ellen, I am so sorry for your loss. This is a hole that can’t be filled. In time we learn how to function with it. I know Melissa suffered that same hole. May she be at peace now. Sometimes we just cant find our way. May God comfort and give strength to all who loved her.
Nancy Bingham
Thursday October 13, 2022
Ellen, I am so sorry for your loss. This is a hole that can't be filled. In time we learn how to function with it. I know Melissa suffered that same hole. May she be at peace now. Sometimes we just cant find our way. May God comfort and give strength to all who loved her.
Sending love and prayers to you and the family at this sad time. So very sorry. Although we did not know her, she certainly must’ve been an extraordinary young woman…full of life…full of love. May God’s peace that passes all understanding surround you and fill the hollow of your hearts. Our love, Lane and Dave Speck
Lane Speck
Thursday October 13, 2022
Sending love and prayers to you and the family at this sad time. So very sorry. Although we did not know her, she certainly must've been an extraordinary young woman...full of life...full of love. May God's peace that passes all understanding surround you and fill the hollow of your hearts. Our love, Lane and Dave Speck
Praying for you all at this difficult time. She was beautiful and this is a perfect write up of her. I loved her so much and she was all in when she loved you. She was amazingly brilliant. She never judged anyone or allowed others to judge. She was a great example to me. because of her example and teachings I live a certain way today I will always give credit to her…I welcome people to their groups…churches etc. Hugs and peace to her boys and family.
Jackie Lessler
Thursday October 13, 2022
Praying for you all at this difficult time. She was beautiful and this is a perfect write up of her. I loved her so much and she was all in when she loved you. She was amazingly brilliant. She never judged anyone or allowed others to judge. She was a great example to me. because of her example and teachings I live a certain way today I will always give credit to her...I welcome people to their groups...churches etc. Hugs and peace to her boys and family.
Keeping you and your family close in my thoughts and prayers. You are surrounded by love from God and friends/family for comfort and courage. Take care! Love & peace, Judy
Judy Malone
Thursday October 13, 2022
Keeping you and your family close in my thoughts and prayers. You are surrounded by love from God and friends/family for comfort and courage. Take care! Love & peace, Judy