Community Corner

GoFundMe Gains $13K For Beloved LI Woman With ‘Infectious Personality'

"To know Melissa was to love her."

Melissa Lombardo, 33, of Islip Terrace, died in a car accident on Saturday.
Melissa Lombardo, 33, of Islip Terrace, died in a car accident on Saturday. (Courtesy of GoFundMe.com)

ISLIP TERRACE, NY — The Islip Terrace community has raised more than $13,000 to support the family of a woman who tragically died in a car crash on Saturday.

Melissa Lombardo, 33, was traveling eastbound on the Southern State Parkway when her car struck a guard rail, then continued down the embankment, where it struck a tree. She was thrown from the vehicle, police said. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

A GoFundMe,“The Lombardo Family, in loving memory of Melissa”, was created on Sunday, to financially support Lombardo’s family.

Find out what's happening in Islipfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

“As many of us woke up yesterday, our worlds were shattered to find out our beloved Melissa had passed away untimely due to a tragic accident,” said the fundraiser's creator, Frank Randazzo, in the description.

Randazzo also said that Lombardo had a “passion for helping others.” She had previously worked in the restaurant industry and later attended nursing school.

Find out what's happening in Islipfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

So far, community members have donated $13,344 for her family.

“To know Melissa was to love her,” said Lombardo. “She was a light in so many of our lives. She had an infectious personality that would make anyone smile.”

Patch has reached out to Randazzo and will update when we hear back.

“Her stories were always amazing, and she just loved to live life to the fullest,” he said.

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