WAREHAN, Mass. — On Monday, June 18, Melissa May Stevens was suddenly taken away from her family, friends and community from an unknown acute cardiac event. She had just turned 36 years of age. “Missie” was born in Lewiston, May 16, 1982.
Missie spent the first nine years and the last seven years of her life in Maine. In 1991, her family moved to Florida where she lived for 10 years. As a child, Missie enrolled in tap dance and jazz dance classes and naturally transitioned to gymnastics. In middle school, she was accepted into an all-boys football team. She earned the respect of all the team members and their families. She excelled in everything she did.
When she reached high school, she was introduced to the theater. Missie shined on the stage and the theater fed her soul. At 16 she was in the productions “Hello Dolly” and “Holiday Luster.” Missie played Polly Baker in “Crazy for You” and went on to play Titania in William Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” Betty Blake in “Will Rogers Follies” and Peppermint Patty in “Snoopy.”
She attended Dr. Phillips High School of performing arts in Orlando, then moved to New York City where she attended The American Academy of Dramatic Arts where she continued her studies. Missie unfortunately never had the opportunity to perform in New York. While there, she lived through the tragedy of 9/11. Experiencing that time changed her forever. She and her boyfriend (whom she later married) decided to move out of the city and live with his parents.
Over the next several years, she had three beautiful children. Missie eventually moved back to Maine to be closer to her family. This community embraced her theatrical talents and she had the privilege of working with the best people in the local performing arts business. Her debut performance in the CLT show was “Man of La Mancha,” where she played the captivating Aldonza. She went on to play Lydia in CLT’s “Shakespeare in Hollywood” and the nightclub sensation Velma in “Chicago.”
Missie was also very involved in local politics. In 2016, Missie ran for Maine House District seat 59. Unfortunately she lost, but she offered support to her fellow statesman in true “Missie” style and grace. Missie also involved herself in activism. One of her favorite events to play and direct was the “Vagina Monologues,” a play that runs around the country and benefits various sexual assault crisis centers. She was also deeply involved in the Maine People’s Alliance and Emerge Maine.
Missie is predeceased by her father, Daniel Stevens; her grandmothers Joyce Stevens and Lillian Merritt; her uncle, James Berube; and grandfather, Bertrand Berube.
She is survived by her three children, Angelina, Keenan and Izabella; sister, Rebecca Freehill; brother, Joshua Caron; mother, Anna Theriault; and stepfather, Peter Theriault; also many immediate and extended family members.
Missie was a ray of light who touched so many hearts in this community. She will be greatly missed. The family would like to extend their gratitude to this community for their gracious love and support through this devastating time.
Melissa M. Stevens
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