I’m sure most of you don’t know her name, but in Windham County, Melinda Bussino was a force to be reckoned with. Her work for the homeless and those in poverty was extraordinary.
I am fairly speechless about this, and the Brattleboro Reformer (through their Facebook Feed) says it well enough that I feel little need to embellish:
It’s with overwhelming sadness that we have learned Melinda Bussino died this morning at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital after sustaining a heart attack earlier this week. Melinda was a friend to all, especially those in need, a woman of infinite patience, intelligence and compassion. Her absence will leave a void in Brattleboro and the surrounding area that can never be filled. The passion she had for her mission to feed the hungry is something we should all hope to aspire to.
This leaves a devastating hole in the community. It will likely take half a dozen advocates to fill the space left by one woman with an overwhelming belief in the justice of her cause.
I’ve known Melinda through housing advocacy for many years. What a loss.
I didn’t know her, but your simple tribute speaks volumes.
Julie, thank you for letting us know. Since I moved away, I wasn’t aware Melinda had died.
“Words cannot express” is a well-worn cliche, but the phrase applies here.
I knew and worked with Melinda for several years, taking joy in, and inspiration from, her feisty, tireless advocacy for people most don’t know exist and probably don’t want to know.
Melinda saw things real; she completely understood the failings of individuals as well as systems, and she never let either get in the way of her work.
She was wonderful, and her passing saddens me beyond my ability to express.
John Fairbanks