Melissa Klein

Melissa Margaret Bumell Klein 1943 - 2023
Melissa Margaret Burnell Klein, 80, of Cumming, GA passed away December 14, 2023 while in Accent Hospice Care, following a stroke.
Melissa was born in Burlington, Vermont and lovingly adopted by Morton Atwell Klein and
Elizabeth Lucille (McKittrick) Klein on May 10, 1946. She spent her childhood in Fitchburg Massachusetts. Before graduating from high school, she attended a private all girls finishing school. She then went to work for Rogers Foam in Fitchburg, Mass where she met and later married Victor (Vic) V. Burnell on November 11, 1967. She worked for her husband's business, Wachusett Seat covers, for 20 years until Vic passed away in February 1987.
Melissa and Vic took great pleasure in motorcycle riding with Vic's brothers Gerald and Charles Burnell, their wives, and good friends Chris and Pat Christian. Melissa became a loyal customer and leader for Melaleuca Wellness Company where she traveled and met many new friends in the Melaleuca business.
In 2007 Melissa moved to Bluffton, SC where she worked for Patricia's Boutique, Later she worked for Coach (luxury handbags) where she loved her coworkers and felt they were family. She retired in 2022.
In May 2022, Melissa relocated to Cumming, Georgia to live with her daughter Julee, and sonin-law Russell. She then moved to Manor Lake Assisted Living where she stayed actively engaged in endearing and special times with close friends and family.
Melissa had a great love for rescuing and adopting dogs and cats, supporting the SPCA and animal shelters. She truly enjoyed fashion and shopping, and was a staunch New England Patriots fan — go Tom Brady! She was a gracious donor to St. Judes and our Veterans. She celebrated in patriotic fashion as she was born on the Fourth of July.
Her greatest passions were riding motorcycles, and driving the restored classic and antique cars with Vic and his family, gardening and farming at Windy Hill Farm, sewing and reading. She also loved to spend special times with her family and friends.
Melissa is survived by her brother Stefan Klein (wife Laura) of South Windsor, CT; step children,
Jodee Burnell Thurston (husband Jon) of Lake Monticello, Va; Judee Burnell Klepec (husband Louie) of Gainesville, Va; Julee Burnell Arnett (husband Russell) of Cumming, GA; grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.
She was predeceased by her Husband, Victor V. Burnell; her father and mother, Morton and Elizabeth Klein; her sister Susan Elizabeth Klein Botzow, her brother Jonathan Klein and step mother Jean Klein.
As we remember Sweet Melissa, we celebrate a life lived fully and with purpose. Melissa will be missed by her family, very close school friends, and lifelong best friends that she loved dearly and maintained contact throughout her life. She met many special friends and loved ones along her life adventures all for whom she had a special place in her heart.
In honor of Melissa, we invite you to share your stories, memories, or photographs on her memorial page. Your contributions will serve as a testament to the difference she made in this world and the joy she brought to us all. A memorial service/celebration of life will be held at Manor Lake Assisted Living at 3769 Kallie Circle Dawsonville, GA 30534 on Tuesday April 2nd 2024 at 10:00am. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her memory to: SPCA or Wounded Warriors Project.