Melissa Marie Bonnin Vicera's Obituary
Melissa Marie Bonnin Vicera of Wailuku, Hawaii, age 45, passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by her loving family on March 8, 2022, following a courageous battle with breast cancer.
Melissa was born on December 28th 1976 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. She attended grade school in Bonduel, Wisconsin before graduating from Appleton West High School. Melissa completed her Bachelor’s in Psychology and Master’s Degrees in Counseling Psychology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Melissa married the love of her life, Rene Vicera, Jr, on September 26th, 2020.
Melissa was passionate about helping others, particularly students from historically underrepresented backgrounds in higher education. In 2002 Melissa joined the TRiO Student Support Services Program at UW-Madison as an advisor and a tutoring program coordinator. During her tenure at TRiO she assisted hundreds of first generation college students and students from low-income families with their academic needs and education plans. She was a strong advocate for students, a dedicated team player, and a creative force of the TRiO team. Melissa was known for her determination to see things through and loved for her kindness and willingness to do whatever it took to best serve the students.
Melissa moved to Maui in 2009 to accept the TRiO Upward Bound Director position at the University of Hawaii Maui College where she grew the program to include remote areas of Maui nei in order to help Native Hawaiian, first generation, and underrepresented students make college a reality. In 2016 Melissa took over the Office of Grant Development at the college, where she was instrumental in securing upward of $90 million dollars in extramural funds under her leadership. Melissa was responsible for obtaining funding that helped thousands of students succeed in college through student support projects, as well as funding for environmental research, agricultural innovation and institutional development endeavors. In addition Melissa provided mentorship and guidance to project directors throughout the University of Hawaii system. These projects will continue to impact local communities and families for generations to come. Melissa loved her work and treasured those she worked with.
Melissa was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2018 and underwent 9 months of chemotherapy, radiation and surgery. During this difficult time, Melissa remained dedicated to her faith, family and career. Her faith grew stronger, she continued to attend church, work, exercise and create wonderful memories with her family. In the summer 2020 Melissa and her family traveled to San Antonio, TX so she could complete her final surgery and have breast reconstruction. She underwent an 8 hour surgery and 4 days later it was discovered she had developed a brain tumor. She underwent emergency brain surgery and stayed in San Antonio for 6 more weeks to receive brain radiation. Melissa returned home to Maui and for nearly 2 years received continuous chemotherapy treatment. During this time, Melissa lived by the word of God which produced endurance, perseverance, character and hope in her. Even while faced with the most difficult physical and emotional challenges of cancer she lived life to the fullest, prayed continually, and gave thanks in all circumstances. She set an example of strength and faith for us all to follow.
More than anything in life, Melissa loved being a mommy to Hunter. Both Hunter and Melissa were baptized together on February 20th of this year. Melissa’s faith in Jesus brought her much comfort and peace.
Melissa is survived by her loving husband, Rene Vicera, Jr. She was a proud momma to her son, Hunter Vicera and step-mom to Kayla Vicera. She is further survived by her parents, Robert and Pamela (Busch) Bonnin of Pulaski, WI, her in-laws, Rene, Sr. and Lilia (Gutierrez) Vicera of Lahaina, HI, her brother, Todd (Julie) Bonnin of Pulaski, WI, her brother-in-law, Ryan (Mandy) Vicera of Honolulu, HI, and nephews and nieces, Reece, Emma, Leif and Sara Bonnin and Riley and Madison Vicera.
Melissa was preceded in death and will be greeted in heaven by paternal grandparents, Hilbert and Margaret (Bartelt) Bonnin and maternal grandparents Luther and Audrey (Eggert) Busch, and a nephew, Riley Bonnin.
Funeral services will be at Nakamura Mortuary and Crematory, 1218 Lower Main Street, Wailuku, HI on Wednesday, March 23rd, with visitation from 10:30 am to 11:30 am HST and service at 11:30 am HST. Pastor Sean Housman of Calvary Chapel Central Maui will officiate the service. For those unable to join the family in person, the service will be live streamed on Melissa’s Facebook page, Nakamura's website and on her church's streaming outlets. Please follow this link to Calvary Chapel Central Maui's website http://www.cccmaui.com/live/
In lieu of flowers, it is Melissa’s wish that any donations would kindly be directed to the following three memorials:
1 - Hunter's UTMA college fund. Melissa has already started a fund to continue providing for Hunter to attend college. She invites you to help support Hunter's educational needs. Please make check payable to "American Savings Bank" with memo "FBO Hunter Vicera, Cetera UTMA #3BT17110". Mail to American Savings Bank, attention Jeffrey Bonk, 150 Hookele Street, Kahului, HI 96732.
2 - GoFundMe for summer camp and travel to Camp Kessem. Melissa's hope is that Hunter can attend summer camp in 2022 and 2023 at Camp Kesem. Camp Kesem is a camp specially for children with a parent with a cancer diagnosis. The camp focuses on creating fun experiences that help these children escape - even if for a short time - the challenges of coping with a parent’s death. In 2022 he will attend Camp Kesem in California and in 2023 in Wisconsin. Your donations will cover the cost of travel for Hunter and Rene and all related expenses. https://www.gofundme.com/f/melissas-final-wish-camp-kesem-for-hunter
3 - Calvary Chapel Central Maui http://www.cccmaui.com/online-giving/ so that they can continue sharing the hope of Jesus that Melissa experienced with her Maui family and friends.
The family expresses much thanks and gratitude for the kind and compassionate care from everyone at Maui Hospice.
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