Melissa Aleman

On behalf of our hunting and Salt Lake community, we are heartbroken to learn our incredible friends Isaac and Brandi Aleman lost their daughter.

This account has been established to support the family after their daughter, Melissa Irene Kay Aleman passed away peacefully surrounded in the presence of family on February 24, 2023, at 1:16 pm in their home. Melissa inspired many and was known for her infectious smile and unconditional love for those around her.

Due to the extensive medical attention that Melissa required, her parents exhausted all of their bereavement and vacation time leading up to her final days. These funds will help with service/funeral arrangements, extended time away from work, past medical bills and reducing the financial burden they are feeling.

The Aleman family has built a legacy in the hunting community through their positive attitudes, outstanding character and infectious humor.

If you are able to help either with a monetary donation or simply by sharing this account the family will be forever grateful.

A little bit about Melissa



Melissa was born on July 6, 2004 and is survived by her parents Isaac & Brandi Aleman, big sister Cheylyn and big brother Isaac Jr.

At her 2 week checkup, she stopped breathing in front of her doctor. She was later diagnosed with encephalitis meningitis caused by a cold sore. After spending 2 weeks in the hospital she was released and the family was unaware of the damage the virus had caused.

During the next 5 months, her development slowed down and she began having spasms. The medications used to treat her spasms ended up lowering her immune system which created a relapse with her original diagnosis.

Her encephalitis had caused brain damage resulting in her developing severe cerebral palsy. Over the next 2 years, she was not gaining any weight regardless of how much she ate. The doctors diagnosed her as having "failure to thrive" and suggested a feeding tube.

After the feeding tube was installed she started gaining weight while Isaac & Brandi began learning more about her disability. Melissa got her first wheelchair and started attending school continuing to prove the doctors wrong and thrive with her condition.

At age 7 she started experiencing seizures because of her previous brain injury. She would end up battling these seizures on a daily basis but always came out smiling. Melissa was a fighter having dealt with numerous visits to Primary Children's Hospital in Salt Lake City throughout her childhood.

In 2019, Melissa was placed in a home hospital and home school program getting a full-time nurse. In 2020 she contracted pneumonia, causing severe lung damage which led to her being placed in hospice. The doctors told the family to prepare for the worst and walked them through the process of "end of life."

But...Melissa proved them wrong yet again.

On July 6, 2022 sweet Melissa celebrated her 18th birthday yet again showing everyone around her just how much of a fighter she was.

Melissa was loved immensely by her family, friends and caregivers. She offered unconditional love to everyone who cared about her and was nothing short of "perfection." Beautiful until the very end.

*Funeral and service arrangements to follow