Melissa Ann Sander, age 35, died unexpectedly on February 24, 2022, at Munson Medical Center.
Melissa was a sweet, smart, funny, caring, creative, and sensitive individual. An ally of and advocate for marginalized people, she had a distinctive sense of style, which she put to good use, most recently as an Ecommerce Media Associate at Goodwill Industries. Melissa loved books and libraries, movies and music, but most of all her cats, Abby and Darby. Above all else, she was a writer, with an extensive knowledge and appreciation of literature, which she pursued during her studies at Columbia College Chicago, Western Michigan University, and Northwestern Michigan College and through her work at New Issues Poetry & Prose and Traverse Area District Library.
A beloved cousin, niece, granddaughter, and friend, Melissa is survived by her mother Cindy Dittrich and her brother Daniel Sander. Much loved by all who came in contact with her, she will be missed and remembered by many.
"You belong among the wildflowers
You belong somewhere close to me
Far away from your trouble and worries
You belong somewhere you feel free"
An open house gathering will take place on Friday March 4, 2022 from 2-4pm at the Reynolds Jonkhoff Funeral Home.
A special memory box will be made available if you would wish to bring a keepsake that will be placed with Melissa forever.
In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations to the Melissa Ann Sander Memorial Fund on GoFundMe to help cover funeral and medical expenses.

You can find the GoFundMe page by clicking here