Melanie Dianne Naro

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved daughter and sister, Melanie Dianne Naro, who died peacefully at home on Saturday, November 15th. Born on June 2, 1966, Melanie was raised in the "Hill" section of Dunmore, the middle child of Angelo Naro, Sr. and the late Elizabeth Dutko.

A gifted student, Melanie graduated third in her class at Dunmore High School in 1984, before attending the University of Pittsburgh, where she enrolled in the Honors College and pursued the then-new PPE major—Philosophy, Political Science, and Economics. Her lifelong love of Italian culture began there as well; after spending a transformative summer in Florence studying Italian language and Renaissance art, she returned to Pitt determined to immerse herself fully in the subject, earning an additional 60 credits to complete a second major in Italian.

Melanie embraced university life with characteristic energy and leadership. A proud member of Chi Omega, she quickly became known for cooking elaborate Sunday dinners—frying meatballs, preparing homemade gnocchi and sauce—to the delight of her sorority sisters. She was twice elected to the Student Government Board, founded the University’s Student Night Club, and served as the sole student representative on the University’s Bicentennial Committee and on the Board of Trustees. As Executive Director of the Pitt Program Council, she brought notable speakers to campus, including Spike Lee, Olympic gold medalist Greg Louganis, and Phil Donahue. Her contributions earned her recognition as Senior Leader of the Year.

Melanie went on to attend Duquesne University School of Law, where she excelled in both trial and appellate advocacy. She chaired the school’s trial moot court competition, competed nationally on behalf of Duquesne, and was honored with the Order of the Barristers. She clerked for the Honorable Lawrence Kaplan, President Judge of Family Court in Allegheny County, then began her legal career with boutique firms in Pittsburgh. In 1995, she returned home to Dunmore, joining Attorney Brian Cali before establishing her own successful family-law practice.

Throughout her life, Melanie was a community leader and tireless advocate. She served for 12 years on the Board of Trustees at Lackawanna College, chairing the Development Committee and co-chairing a capital campaign. The college honored her with the Seely Award for her dedicated service. In 1988, she broke barriers as the first woman member of the Dunmore Lions Club and became its first female president the following year.

A devoted member of UNICO National, Melanie joined the Scranton Chapter in 2003 and quickly became a respected leader—its first woman elected to the Board of Directors and the only woman to serve as Chairperson. She chaired both the Scholarship and Soccer Cup committees and contributed at the national level through the Scholarship, Anti-Bias, and Heritage Committees. In March 2022, she was appointed by the National Board of Directors as Executive Director, a role she held with honor. In 2024, UNICO Scranton Chapter honored her as UNICAN of the Year.

Locally, Melanie served on Dunmore Borough Council, later becoming its first female President. During her leadership, she oversaw the completion of the Dunmore Community Center, working to ensure the facility served the entire borough. She received the Pennsylvania Governor’s Crime Prevention Award and served on the boards of Habitat for Humanity and St. Francis of Assisi Kitchen. She also shared her expertise in helping to establish two nonprofits—The Mosaic Project, known for the town’s beloved murals, and Tommy’s Voice, which brings meaningful and joyful experiences to adults with intellectual disabilities. In 2017, she volunteered her skills to craft the by-laws for Action Together Northeastern Pennsylvania.

When she wasn’t serving her community or helping her nephews with their term papers, Mel enjoyed settling in for her nightly episode of Jeopardy and cheering on her beloved Steelers and Pitt Panthers—Hail to Pitt! She was everyone’s “Phone-a-Friend,” the first call for questions about the law, rules, history, or politics. She especially loved attending her nephews’ sporting events and, for many years, made an annual trip to the U.S. Open Tennis Tournament in New York. Among her favorite pastimes were the weekly family Scrabble games, but nothing brought her more joy than traveling to Italy. She was fortunate to attend the Jubilee at the Vatican in Rome on two occasions— a sacred celebration held only every 25 years. Mel was also blessed to attend Mass at the Vatican celebrated by four different popes: John Paul II, Benedict XVI, Francis, and, most recently, Pope Leo during her final visit just last month. She was determined to visit the Holy Doors in the four major Papal Basilica of Rome: opened only during the Jubilee and symbolizing the passage from sin to forgiveness and renewal for those who pass through.

Her passion for Italy eventually spread to the entire family, culminating in a memorable trip to San Cataldo, Sicily, Rome, Florence and the Amalfi Coast in 2024 to celebrate her 58th birthday with three generations of her Naro family.

Our family would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Lisa Thomas, Dr. Meghan Haggerty, Dr. Igor Makhlin, and their dedicated staffs. Your kindness and compassion over the past three years will never be forgotten. We would also like to acknowledge the exceptional nurses and entire team on the 7th floor at Geisinger CMC, as well as the staff at Hospice of the Sacred Heart. The care and compassion you provided to Mel during the past three weeks was truly heartwarming.

Melanie is survived by her father, Angelo Naro, Sr.; her companion, Ibrahim Sanverer; her siblings Eve Hennigan, Angelo Naro, Jr. and wife Denise, and Lizabeth Naro; her niece Amanda Humic and husband Aaron; nephews Michael Gardier, Tommy Hennigan, Shane Hennigan and fiancée Noelle Richard, Colin Holmes and companion Gianna Bray; Angelo "LA" Naro, Paityn Celuck and her cherished grand-niece Byerly Humic.

In addition to her mother, Melanie was preceded in death by her infant brother Michael, and brother in law, Thomas "Tucker" Hennigan.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday at 11AM in St. Anthony’s Church, 208 Smith St., Dunmore. All attending mass are asked to go directly to the church.

Friends may call Wednesday, from 4-7pm in the Vanston & James Funeral Home, 1401 Ash St., Scranton PA 18510. UNICO Members are asked to gather at the Funeral Home at 3:30 PM for a brief memorial service to begin at 3:45.

Memorial contributions should be made payable to: The Mosaic Project, 1429 Electric St., Dunmore PA 18509; Tommy’s Voice, 801 Cooney St., Dunmore PA 18512; UNICO Foundation, Inc., 271 US HWY 46 W, Ste. F-103, Fairfield, NJ 07004. Funds received will be restricted to the Cancer Research and Prevention Fund for a grant in Melanie's name.

Melanie’s life was marked by compassion, generosity, intellect, and a deep commitment to her community. Her legacy lives on in the countless lives she touched, the organizations she strengthened, and the barriers she helped break.