Melissa A. Byrne Mattia Of Toms River Dies

Courtesy of O’Brien Funeral Home:

Melissa A. Byrne Mattia, “Missy B” to all who knew and loved her, passed away Thursday, October 23, 2014 at her residence in Toms River.

Melissa was born in Point Pleasant and resided in Brick for 10 years before moving to Toms River 21 years ago. She was a proud graduate of Toms River East High School and received her BA from Rider University.

Melissa was very involved with the community in Brick. In addition to her full time job as a Youth Development Counselor at Veterans Memorial Middle School, she was the owner and operator of Mattia Fitness in Brick. She was very passionate about teaching both children and adults, studying, and most importantly, dance. Melissa was very involved with the youth of Brick Township through the Brick Police Athletic League, who in 2013 honored her by naming her the Brick P.A.L. Volunteer of the year.

She was predeceased by her parents William and Barbara Renna Byrne, her maternal grandparents Anthony and Gloria Bannon Renna, and her uncles Timothy and Kevin Byrne. Melissa is survived by her husband Salvatore Mattia, her brother William Byrne and his wife Rosie of Toms River, her paternal grandmother Mary Byrne, her aunts and uncles; Patricia Chronic, James Renna, Lynda Cohen, Lawrence Renna, Mary Beth Rutledge, Susan Gallagher, Jayne Leddy, Kathleen Lennon, Sharon Cox, and Maureen Bauer, and many many cousins and close friends.

Relatives and friends are invited to the visitation on Monday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the O’Brien Funeral Home, 505 Burnt Tavern Road in Brick,. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial on Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2014 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Catharine’s RC Church, 215 Essex Ave. in Spring Lake.

Private committal will take place in St. Anne’s Cemetery, 1610 Allenwood Rd., Wall at a later date. In lieu of flowers the family specifically requests donations to the Brick P.A.L., 60 Drum Point Rd., Brick, NJ 08723 in her memory. For further information or to offer condolences to the family please visit www.obrienfuneralhome.com.