Melinda “Mindy” (née Millington) Wanatick of Merrimac, Massachusetts—daughter of Southampton native Patricia Tyborowski and granddaughter of Water Mill resident Jenny Tyborowski—died at her home on March 2 surrounded by family, after a courageous seven-year battle with brain cancer. She was 37.
Born in Ridgewood, New Jersey, she graduated from Ridgewood High School in 1989 and received a degree in international relations from American University in Washington, D.C. Diagnosed with her illness in 2002, she attended law school at Suffolk University in Boston and received her law degree, despite her ongoing treatment for cancer.
While employed as a market specialist at W.R. Grace, PGH and Chemonics, she volunteered countless hours as an advocate for cancer research through the Brain Tumor Society and Par Fore the Cure. She was recently interviewed by local and national media, exploring and paying tribute to her ability to live courageously with a seven-year illness.
A member of the Mary, Mother of the Church of St. Luke the Evangelist Parish in Newton, New Hampshire, she enjoyed traveling, cooking, dining out with friends, visiting family on the East End and especially being a wife and mother to her two young children.
In addition to her parents, Patricia (née Tyborowski) and George Millington of New Jersey, she is survived by her husband of 10 years, Jason T. Wanatick of Massachusetts; a son, Casey J. Wanatick, 6; a daughter, Jessica R. Wanatick, 2; a sister, Michele and her husband Scott Jenkins of New Jersey; her maternal grandmother, Jenny Tyborowski of Water Mill; her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Burt and Arlene Wanatick of Massachusetts; a brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Michael and Rebecca Wanatick of New Jersey; and nieces and nephews Devin and Drew Jenkins and Sam and Alex Wanatick.
Interment was at Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary Cemetery in Southampton. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to Par Fore the Cure/Jimmy Fund, c/o Michael Strong, 22 Maverick St., Marblehead, MA, 01945, would be appreciated by the family.
on Mar 18, 2009