"The world is a better place because Melissa was a part of it." She was interred at Desert Memorial Cemetery in a service presided over by Rabbi Hillel Cohn, the Irom family's rabbi for more than 50 years. Melissa overcame many challenges to build an exceptionally fruitful life that was characterized by strong personal and community ties. She was a devoted long-time member of Congregation Etz Hadar in Redlands where she served on the board of trustees and was in charge of building facilities. She was also committed to Inland Counties Stonewall Democratic Club in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties where she held an LGBT leadership role as co-chair, serving on the forefront of the fight for equality for all.