WAPPINGERS FALLS – Melanie Anne Chianese, a lifelong area resident, was tragically taken from us on May 29, 2022. She was an innocent, secondary victim of domestic violence.

Born in Poughkeepsie on November 24, 1992, she was the beloved daughter of Cheryl M. Chianese. She graduated from Arlington High School in 2012 and the Institute for Integrated Nutrition. She was scheduled to graduate from Dutchess Community College with her Associates and CSAC. She was a certified health coach who spent her life helping others, especially new moms with babies.

Melanie was an avid health enthusiast. She enjoyed cooking, dancing, shopping, working out, going out with her friends and talking to her Aunt Dawn. She also loved pugs, and leaves behind her beloved pug, Ziggy aka Pigarene and her dachshund, Lucy aka Goosie. She just returned from her dream vacation to Florida in which she had the time of her life. However, more than anything in life, Melanie adored her three-year-old son, Myles Nicholas Franolich. She was not just his mother; she was his advocate. She loved spending time with him and taking him to different parks so he can play and socialize with other children.

Melanie is survived by her mother and her son; her partner, Ryan Franolich, her grandmothers, Lydia Balioni aka Nana and her husband Alfred, and Nancy Selkow; her grandfather, John F. Chianese, her aunts, Dawn M. Chianese (Peter Karabatsos), and Kaitlin Balioni (Cody Conner), who was more like a sister to her; her nephews, Jameson Conner and Owen Franolich, her lifelong family friends who did so much for her, Royal Ricci, Dawn Roth and Chris Heady; and many other loving family members and friends. She was predeceased by her great grandparents, Nicholas and Mary D'Angelico and Frank and Mary Chianese; her father, Marc Gargiulo; and her pug, Maggie.

In Melanie's memory, the family asks that if you or anyone that you know are a victim of domestic violence, please reach out to Family Services at (845) 485-5550.

Calling hours will be held on Friday from 2-4 and 7-9pm at the McHoul Funeral Home, Inc., 895 Route 82, Hopewell Junction. There will be a funeral service at 10am on Saturday at the funeral home. Entombment will follow at the Community Mausoleum at Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery.

The family is requesting guests to wear bright and beautiful colors for the calling hours on Friday in the celebration to honor Melanie's life.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting Memorial donations be made to a fund that is being established to assist Melanie's son, Myles. Please visit: https://gofund.me/96a33c08.