Obituary of Melissa Ann Prokopchak

Melissa Ann Prokopchak (Brown), age 38 of Plains, passed away Sunday, July 10, 2016 from ongoing health complications of cancer. Melissa was born July 19, 1977 alongside her twin brother Thomas G. Brown III in Wilkes-Barre, to their loving parents Thomas George and Mary Ruth Hannagan Brown of Lehman. Melissa was part of Lake-Lehman High School class of 1995, actively involved with sports and activities. She was a member of the field hockey team, track and field team, and wrestling cheerleading squad. Melissa received a Bachelor's Degree in marketing from The Pennsylvania State University in 2000. In addition, she holds an Associate's Degree in Nursing from Luzerne County Community College where she was President of the school's Nursing Forum. In October of 2011, Melissa was diagnosed with Stage III Ovarian BRCA 1+ and battled the disease ever since. She initially had surgery that was followed by multiple rounds of chemotherapy. Melissa's love of life and bubbling personality allowed her to live each day to the fullest. Post diagnosis, Melissa bungee jumped, went sky diving, zip lined, skied, traveled, and completed the Warrior Dash in August of 2015. Her positive attitude and will to live were infectious and inspiring to a countless number of people. In addition to her parents she will be greatly missed by her husband Jason Prokopchak and pets Bella and Jax of Plains, her brother Michael Brown of State College; her aunts and uncles: Al and Virginia Brown of Harpswell, Maine, Joanne and Mike Kosek of Forty Fort, Karen Malloy of Forty Fort, Joe and Charley Hannagan of Auburn, New York, Cliff and Colleen Hannagan of Wilkes-Barre, Jim and Carol Hannagan of Pringle, Mike Hannagan of Luzerne, and William and Peg Collett of Shavertown; and her cousins: Jason Brown of Portland, Maine, Jordan Brown of Parsippany, New Jersey, Molly and Timothy Malloy of Forty Fort, Sarah and Charles Stickney of Waterford, Michigan, Colleen and Josh Lucas of Pittsburgh, Ryan Hannagan of Hoboken, New Jersey, Vanessa Hannagan of Wilkes-Barre, Lauren and Christopher Hannagan of Pringle, and Sarah Kosek of Forty Fort; and too many friends to list. Funeral services will be held Thursday, July 14, 2016 at 10:00 am from the St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 474 Yalick Rd., Dallas, PA 18612 with Rev. Charles Grube, officiating. Friends may call on Wednesday from 6 – 8 PM from the Curtis L. Swanson Funeral Home, Inc., corner of routes 29 and 118, Pikes Creek. Interment will be in Lehman Center Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Luzerne County Community College Foundation Nursing Program, honoring Melissa Brown Prokopchak. Checks may be sent to 1333 South Prospect Street | Nanticoke, Pa 18634. Online donations can be made using the Giving website www.luzerne.edu/givetolccc. Questions regarding donations may be made to Sandy Nicholas at 570-740-0730.