Vigil Scheduled For Slain Braintree Nurse

BRAINTREE, MA — A vigil honoring the life of a former Braintree school nurse and Board of Health member will be held outside Town Hall at 8:30 p.m. Monday.

Laurie Melchionda, 59, was shot and killed outside her home on Howie Road Wednesday morning. A former neighbor was charged with murder after prosecutors said he posed as a UPS delivery driver and opened fire.

Melchionda served as a nurse with Braintree Public Schools from 1997 until June 2018, when she left to become the director of health services in Weston. She worked at Flaherty Elementary School in Braintree. Melchionda also served on the Board of Health since October 2016. Town officials said she was a positive influence in the community.

Organizers asked participants to wear purple, Melchionda's favorite color, or white to the vigil. Residents were also encouraged to display purple ribbons around town.