Obituary

Melissa Paige Smith

Melissa Paige (Bishop) Smith, aged 34, passed away on March 26th, 2022 in Los Angeles, California.

Wife, best friend and forever love of Joshua Blake Smith, adored mother of beautiful Emma Jo-8 years old and adorable 4-year-old Blake Jobie.  Josh and Melissa met while working at an Apple Store. Both were attending Old Dominion University in Norfolk Virginia. Shortly after meeting Josh came to her door, one evening, with a pint of Chunky Monkey ice cream to share. They immediately found a common bond of love, respect and friendship.

Living in Virginia Beach they started their new family with a beautiful baby girl, EJ.  Melissa and Joshua married in the fall of 2014 at Keswick Hall in Charlottesville, Virginia attended by family and many friends.  They continued their family adventure in Laguna Niguel, CA where EJ celebrated her 2nd birthday. Two years later Blake Jobie was born.  With their love for the beach, hiking, kayaking, paddle boarding and the great outdoors in 2019 they joined family and crossed the Pacific and settled on Oahu.

Melissa and Josh, destined to be married, were best friends and partners for life. It was a miracle for Melissa to have birthed 2 children and tragic to leave them at such a young age. But they will thrive, having the best Dad any child would need or want and the most loving family devoted to help raise them to be extraordinary people.

At age 17, Melissa was the recipient of a live liver donation. She was born with genetic alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency. Her donor was her step mother Kara Taiclet, who we are forever grateful to for the 17 extra years we had with Melissa.  Recent medical issues led to care at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center.  With Josh steadfast beside her they always fought Melissa’s illnesses together.

Melissa was the beautiful daughter of Jeanne and Roger E. Magowitz of Scottsdale, AZ; and of birth parents Patti Stokes of Norfolk, VA and the late John E. Bishop (Jeanne’s brother).  Daughter-in-law of Heather and Robert F. Powers of Sarasota, FL; Robert and Ann Smith of Chesapeake, VA and Cal Bain of Virginia Beach, VA.  Sister to Whitney Hoag (Bobby) of Norfolk, VA Joshua Bishop of Gilbert, AZ and Ryan Winfield (Amber) of San Antonio, TX.; sister-in-law of Calie Bain, Granddaughter of the late Janice A. Bishop and the late John L. Bishop, Jr.  and Granddaughter-in-law of Sandra and Joseph White of Coinjock, NC and Margaret Whitby of Chesapeake, VA; cousin of Craig Magowitz of Scottsdale, AZ and of course best friends with the JSWAMM Girls.

We will always remember Melissa for her wit, sarcasm, and ability to light up a room with her beautiful smile.  Please consider being an organ donor to Donate Life.

A memorial service is scheduled for Monday, April 4 at 1:30 at Paradise Memorial Gardens at 9300 E Shea, Scottsdale, AZ.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Seena Magowitz Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research.  You may send a donation in memory of Melissa online at  www.seenamagowitzfoundation.org/melissa or by texting “MELISSA” to 602-755-4105.  If you prefer sending a check, please send to Seena Magowitz Foundation at PO Box 4119, Arlington, VA 22202.  Cards of condolences can be sent to 210 Paiko Drive, Honolulu, HI 96821