Melissa McHenry (August 18, 1997 - May 9, 2016) was an American student athlete, honors art student, Girl Scout, and lifeguard. Art and swimming were her two passions.
Early life[]
Melissa was born in Mineola, New York to Patricia Keefe and Michael McHenry and had an older brother - Michael.
When she was a child, she was diagnosed with mitral valve prolapse - a non-life-threatening condition where the heart valve doesn't close properly. Melissa went to a cardiologist every year for regular check ups and even struck up a friendship with him.
Swimming career[]
Swimming was one of Melissa's passions. Melissa began swimming at age six on the St. Raymond's CYO Swim Team. Melissa swam on Lynbrook summer team & St. Raymond's as well as LHS varsity and was a lifeguard at the Lynbrook Village Pool.
Death[]
On May 9, 2016, Melissa died suddenly of heart complications at her home in Lynbrook, New York just after she finished her first year of college at the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts at the age of 18. Her body was discovered by her mother.