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Melissa showed the world that joy can exist alongside hardship.

Melissa Kay Hyde, 37, of Anoka, Minnesota, passed away on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, after courageously facing years of complex medical challenges, including kidney disease requiring peritoneal dialysis and a recent recurrence of lymphoma. Despite these hardships, she lived each day with remarkable joy, resilience, and an unwavering love for others.

Melissa was born on December 19, 1988, at Womack Army Hospital, Fort Bragg, North Carolina. A year later, her family moved to Anoka, Minnesota, where she lived for the remainder of her life. Melissa brought a special light and joy to everyone around her. Her infectious smile and genuine kindness left people feeling happier simply for having spent time with her.

Born with Williams syndrome, Melissa experienced the world in her own unique and beautiful way. Her kindness, curiosity, sense of humor, and ability to connect with others were among the many gifts she shared with those around her. In 1999, Melissa received the incredible gift of a kidney transplant from her mother, Pam. That gift gave Melissa 27 more precious years filled with family, friendship, music, laughter, and love. Throughout her life, she faced countless appointments, lab work, medications, and treatments. Yet through it all, Melissa remained one of the happiest people many of us have ever known.

In 2008, Melissa graduated from Anoka High School, followed by four years in the Bridges Transition Program. She then participated in day programming at Opportunity Partners for several years.

Melissa loved music of all kinds—except country! She especially enjoyed dancing at Concerts in the Park and singing with the “Merry Music Makers” during the holiday season. She expressed her unique personality through the things she loved, including her ever-growing collection of dangly silver earrings, her playful love of vampires, blood-red nails, and, of course, cats.

Whether she was at dialysis, a doctor's appointment, Opportunity Partners, a concert, or simply out in the community, Melissa had an extraordinary gift for striking up conversations and making people feel like friends. She truly never met a stranger.

Melissa shared a lifelong friendship with Kay Hoffman, whom she met in middle school. Melissa lovingly called her "Ms. Kay," and Kay and her family welcomed Melissa as one of their own, becoming her cherished second family.

Melissa is survived by her father, Rick Hyde; her mother and stepfather, Pam and Todd "Bud" Klarich; her older sister, Raechel (Jeff) Lungstrom; her younger brothers, Kenny Hyde and Tyler Hyde; her grandmother, Thelma Hunt; her aunts and uncles, Cayleen (Eric) Haarala, Cayla (John) Ericksen, Cynthia Ferguson, and Kirk (Lisa) Hunt; and many loving cousins, extended family members, and friends.

Melissa was preceded in death by her grandparents, Jon Hunt, Cecil Ferguson, and Sharon (Thole) Ruffalo; and her uncles, Eric Hunt and Randy Hyde.

A celebration of Melissa's life will be held on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 16023 Minnetonka Blvd., Minnetonka, Minnesota. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m., with the service beginning at 11:00 a.m. A luncheon will follow.

The service will also be available via livestream on YouTube: "Melissa Hyde – Celebration of Life."

Melissa showed the world that joy can exist alongside hardship. Her light will continue to shine through the countless lives she touched. She will always be remembered for her radiant smile, infectious laugh, and unmistakable "purr” – especially whenever she met a "cute boy."

Rock and roll, kitty baby.

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In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials to Bethlehem Lutheran Church.