Melissa Ann Newmark

Melissa Ann (Missy) Roemer Newmark, born on September 16, 1983, passed into eternal life on May 6, 2025. Her legacy of love, empathy, kindness and caring for others will never be forgotten by the scores of friends and family who were blessed to share her life. Melissa was simply a beautiful soul who will live on in our hearts forever.

Melissa grew up in Novi, Michigan. She graduated from Novi High School in 2002 and Michigan State University in 2006 from the College of Education, with an Elementary Certification. She also received a Masters Degree in Reading with an ELL endorsement. Melissa taught one year in Atlanta, Georgia, then the next 18 years at Frost and Tarkington Elementary Schools in Wheeling CCSD21. It is here where students from kindergarten through the fifth grade were charmed by her enthusiasm, creativity, humor, and a genuine love of teaching. She worked tirelessly to connect with her students, proving to each and every one her passion and devotion to their successes.

It was in 2009 where Melissa met the love of her life, Scott Newmark, also a devoted educator. They married two years later and began a wonderful adventure, supporting each other in their interests and careers, and bringing three beautiful children, Benjamin, Emma and Will into their fun and loving home. Melissa’s family meant the world to her. Her favorite things were snuggling with her babies, watching movies with her husband, spending summers at the family cottage on Lake Huron, Girls’ Weekends, singing in the car to anything by Taylor Swift and perusing the aisles at Target with a Starbucks in her hand. She was passionate about social justice and included every person she met into her magical orbit, full of style and grace.

Melissa is survived by her loving husband and children, as well as her parents, Mike and Donna Roemer and Edward and Barbara Newmark. She is also survived by her sisters, Jessica (Bill) Weiss, Becky (Jordan) Collins, and Stefanie Newmark; and her grandparents, Jacqueline Spala and Sandra Newmark. Known as “Auntie M,” Melissa cherished her nieces and nephews—Brady, Tessa, Luke, Molly, Shayna, and Adeline. She also held a deep affection for her many aunts, uncles, and cousins, with whom she shared countless cherished memories.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Edward Spala, Robert and Jean Roemer, David Newmark and Gloria Turoff.

Melissa struggled greatly with complications from Graves’ disease. Please remember, in a world where you can be anything, BE KIND, for Missy, everyday and in every way!

A memorial visitation will be on Tuesday, May 13, from 4pm until 8pm at Davenport Family Funeral Home and Crematory, 941 S. Old Rand Rd., Lake Zurich. A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, May 14, at 11am with a visitation to begin at 10am at Barrington United Methodist Church, 98 Algonquin Road, Barrington.

In lieu of flowers, donations to “Everytown Moms Demand Action” would be greatly appreciated.