Melissa Joy Hardy

Melissa Joy Hardy, 51, of Milford, New Hampshire, got her wings to fly on Monday, June 27, 2022. For almost 12 months, Melissa Joy fought pancreatic cancer like a Spartan Warrior. Melissa Joy passed away at her home, surrounded by her son, Aidan Farrell, her husband, Richard Farrell and her good friend, Monica Barthel, of Greenville, New Hampshire.

Melissa’s son, Aidan Hardy Farrell, a sophomore at Tilton School, has been her inspiration for life since being diagnosed in July 2021. Her pride watching him play basketball exploded in every gym across New England. Her biggest regret was “watching Aidan play basketball from heaven.”

Since Melissa’s passing, social media has exploded with love. The overall theme was crystal clear. Her smile, her selflessness and her caring for others touched the lives of everyone she met.

Melissa Joy put herself through college, and she graduated with a Bachelor of Science from Franklin Pierce College in 2005. She walked to receive her degree with her son resting comfortably in her stomach.

For the past 10 years, Melissa built and owned Cypress Consulting, a successful accounting company with clients ranging from real estate investors and golf courses to small mom-and-pop businesses.

In the last months of her life, Melissa fondly spoke of her Aunt Pam Laorenzo from Dracut, Massachusetts. She called Pam “her best friend,” that provided her guidance and emotional support throughout her youth. Melissa also raved about her beautiful Aunt Dot and Mike Fay from Methuen, Massachusetts, who, “bought me a bike and provided me with knee pads to play high school volleyball.” She was so proud that her brother, Ben Hardy of Manchester, New Hampshire, who was by her side during the last month of her life.

She is survived by her beloved father and stepmother, John and Nancy Hardy of Chelmsford, Massachusetts, who provided Melissa with incredible support; her mother Debra Napolitano and stepfather, Frank Napolitano from Londonderry, New Hampshire; her brother, Jason Hardy from Cape Cod, Massachusetts; Kyah Joy Hardy of Ringe New Hampshire; her niece, who she loved beyond words; many uncles, aunts and cousins; and her lifelong friends, Dora Grosso of New Boston, New Hampshire, and Sheryl Jean of Merrimack, New Hampshire, who had, as Melissa exclaimed, “a sleepover” two-nights before she passed away.

Melissa Joy Hardy created a love story 22 years ago with Richard Farrell. She helped raise four stepchildren, Siobhan Farrell, William Farrell, Rick Farrell and Jack Farrell, at times as she lovingly joked, “a perfect Netflix series!” Her mother-in-law, Midge “Nana” Farrell, of Milford, was Melissa’s biggest fan.

Memorial visiting hours are on Wednesday, July 6, 2022, from 4-7 p.m. in the Smith & Heald Funeral Home, 63 Elm St., Milford, followed by a time of sharing for family and friends. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Tilton School, designation athletics: Melissa Joy Hardy, advancement office, 30 School St., Tilton, NH 03276. Arrangements are in the care of Smith & Heald Funeral Home, Milford. To share a memory or offer a condolence, please go to www.smith-heald.com.