Melanie A. Johnson

The beautiful spirit of Melanie A. Johnson, 43, left this earth on Friday afternoon, December 4, 2015, surrounded by her devoted family.
In November 2013, Melanie was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer. Although the odds were greatly against her, she continued to live her life fully and refused to let cancer strip her of her delightful sense of humor and faith. For two years, Melanie continued to work relentlessly to better the local community she loved, embraced whatever treatments were available so that she could be with her family as long as possible, and, above all, never waivered in strength and positivity. Melanie was so beautiful, hilarious, and kind that those who did not know her well had no idea that what she was going through. She remained utterly effervescent.
A well-respected member of the business community, Melanie served as the Assistant Director of Economic Development at the City of Erie, previously worked as Director for the Governor’s Action Team, and spent many cherished years Erie Regional Chamber & Growth Partnership before that.
Melanie’s sense of humor and love for early 90s pop are survived by her beloved husband and love of her life, Wayne G. Johnson, Jr., their spirited children, Alexa Johnson, Zachary Johnson, and Madeline Johnson. She is also survived by her father, Dennis Szpara, and her mother Saijai Dreslinksi, and step-father, Paul Dresklinksi; her brothers, Raymond Szpara and Dennis Szpara, Jr., and their children; and her step-sister, Mariah Rohan, and her step-brother, Andrew Dreslinski.
Friends are invited to celebrate and share stories at the Russell C. Schmidt & Son Funeral Home Inc., 5000 Wattsburg Rd. on Tuesday, December 8, 2015 from 2-5 and 7-9 p.m., and are invited to attend a previously planned benefit on Tuesday from 5-8 p.m. at the Sunflower Club, 340 Metz. Street.
The celebration with friends and family will continue on Wednesday, December 9, 2015 at 10 a.m., with memorial mass at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to fund the education of Melanie’s children may be made through the Russell C. Schmidt funeral home.