Melissa Joan Granat, 42, of Atlantic Highlands, passed away peacefully May 23 at her home surrounded by her family and friends by her side.
Melissa was born March 16, 1976 in Long Branch. She graduated from William Paterson University in Wayne with a degree in education that she would later use to elevate her career to become the director of education for Sylvan Learning Center in Middletown. She enjoyed the simple things in life, such as reading a good book (“Pride and Prejudice” was her favorite), taking a drive to sit by the beach or curling up on the couch with a sappy movie that had a great love story.
But greater than all of these joys, she loved nothing in the world more that spending time with her family and friends. Whether it be a holiday like Christmas or Thanksgiving or just a backyard barbeque, Melissa absolutely adored her family and was so loved by them in return. She dedicated her life to putting everybody first, considering everyone’s feelings before her own and maintained this selfless demeanor all the way to the very end.
She is survived by her parents, William and Joan Dorsa; her loving husband, Michael Granat; mother-in-law, Margaret Granat; her sister Cathleen and husband Robert Locke; her brother James and wife Ellen Dorsa; her brother William and wife Linda Dorsa; her niece Jessica and Spencer Thein; niece Brittany and Richard Bayer; nephew Robert and Anna Dorsa; nephew James and Ashley Dorsa; nephew Michael and Jordan Dorsa; niece Bridget Dorsa; niece Elizabeth Dorsa; niece Laura Dorsa and Nick Alimurat; and niece Rosemary Dellaporta and Chris DeFranco. A heartfelt special thanks goes out to extended family members Lori and Robert Mead. She is also survived by countless numbers of aunts, uncles, cousins and lifelong friends.
Melissa reposed at the Evergreen Memorial Funeral Home, Middletown, May 25. A Mass of Christian Burial took place May 26 at St. Catherine Laboure. Interment followed at Bayview Cemetery.
