Melissa Grey Gist was born on August 23, 1961, in Crescent City, California, and passed away on January 19, 2026, in San Francisco, California. She graduated from Del Norte High School in 1979 and from College of the Redwoods in 1986.

In 1987, Melissa married the love of her life, Wade Gist, in Reno, Nevada. They welcomed their daughter Haley later that year, followed by their daughter Kaitlin in 1991. Melissa loved her family with everything she had, giving selflessly and without reserve. She shared an especially close and loving bond with her daughters—a connection built on devotion, warmth, and unbreakable love.

Melissa was a cherished wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, sister, friend, school nurse, colleague, and coach. She loved the Lord with all her heart, attended Foursquare Church, and served as a Sunday school teacher for many years.

Melissa worked for the Del Norte Unified School District for over 20 years as a health aide. She deeply enjoyed working with children and is still fondly remembered by many as the “lice lady.” She later worked as a receptionist at Dr. Ward’s dental office before retiring early.

She is survived by her loving husband, Wade; daughters Haley Luis (Joseph) and Kaitlin Olvera (Carlos); grandchildren Cameron and Carson Luis and Elena Olvera; her mother, Sarah Anne “Sally” Baker; sisters Jennifer Wakefield (Robert) and Debra Heady (Bob); brother Mark Baker (Sonja); nieces Tara McClaflin (Barrett), Stephanie Kucek (Josh), Sarah Branton, and Jennifer Allen; nephews Norman Wakefield (Jessica), Troy Wakefield (Silvia), James Allen (Kaytlyn), Braden and Bowie Baker, and Michael Gist (Amalia); along with many great-nieces and great-nephews whom she loved dearly.

She was preceded in death by her father, Norman Baker; her father-in-law, Harold Gist; and her mother-in-law, Lee Gist.

Melissa showed incredible strength throughout her multiple hospital stays at Asante, OHSU, Sutter, and UCSF, with Wade faithfully by her side every day for 54 days. She faced a short but courageous journey with a rare and aggressive cancer—undiagnosed until just days before her passing—meeting it with strength, grace, and faith.

A funeral service will be held on January 31, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at Foursquare Church in Crescent City, California, with a reception to follow.

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