Our Story

Melanie, or Mel as her friends called her, was a wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, cousin, friend, educator and overall beautiful soul. Mel’s smile was infectious while making others around her feel loved with a hug and an “I love you”.

Mel was approaching the last year of retirement from her incredible teaching career. Life seemed to continue to get better and better as her and her husband, Mike, were beginning to plan out their retirement with dreams of traveling throughout the United States, visiting wineries along the way.

Unfortunately, in early December 2018, with very little warning signs, Mel was diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme, a very aggressive form of brain cancer. Her and her family did everything they could to extend Mel’s life. But unfortunately, the cancer was inoperable and incurable. After a very brave battle, Mel passed at her home surrounded by her family in February 2019, three weeks before what would have been her 64th birthday. She spent the last few days looking out over the lake that has meant so much to her throughout her life.

It’s hard to grasp losing the matriarch of the family. Someone who made her life all about her family and friends. Someone who loved bringing everyone together for special celebrations. Someone who loved unconditionally and who selflessly gave her life for others. Someone who lived each moment to the fullest.

Her life was dedicated to her family and friends. And friends she had many. Everyone knew Mel. She would always be the first to smile and say hi to complete strangers. She loved meeting new people. And she loved hosting parties and celebrating life events at her home on Little Long Lake near Fremont, Indiana.

Mel made it her passion to help other people. As a wife, Mel strived to create peace and harmony. As a mother, Mel selflessly shared her unconditional love and taught her children to dream big. As an educator, Mel helped each student with love and care no matter what type of background the child came from. As a friend, Mel made it her mission to ensure everyone felt important and was celebrated.

With her unexpected passing, Abby, Cory and Mike, wanted to continue her beautiful legacy by creating the Live Like Mel Foundation. It is a way to continue sharing her love with others and helping others live the beautiful way that Mel did. The Foundation is created on the premise of helping educators and patients and families impacted by glioblastoma cancer. We have the energy and passion to help others as Mel did throughout her life.

We hope that you will be a part of this beautiful organization. Feel free to make a monthly or one-time contribution to support our main causes. The funds will be used to provide an annual awards to current and future educators as well as developing resources to provide to patients and families impacted by this currently uncurbable form of cancer.

Meet Our Team

Cory Calvin, President

Cory, Melanie’s son, has a passion to inspire other people. He has made it his mission to inspire over 1 million people in 10 years, by the time he turns 50 years old. And it is through this passion that he has helped create the Live Like Mel Foundation to continue his mother’s legacy. She was his best friend. His rock. And while it is impossible to replace the huge gap left behind by her loss, he hopes to keep her spirit alive through helping others become their best selves.

As a graduate of Ball State University and the University of Florida, Cory has a background in finance and strategy. He has worked for Fortune 50 and small companies in New York City; St. Petersburg, Florida; and Chicago, Illinois. However after realizing there is more to his life than the office environment, Cory left his 16-year corporate career and set out to create a location independent lifestyle allowing him to work and travel around the world. To date, Cory has stepped foot on all seven continents and has visited over 50 countries. Cory has just finished his first book, I Almost Became Me: A Memoir, and has created a transformational travel business, Pivot Trip, to help others live out their dreams.

Abby Calvin, Treasurer

Abby Calvin, Melanie’s daughter, has two children, Breanna and Brandon. Abby has a passion for helping others in need. She is the current Scholarship Chairperson of the Kiwanis Organization in Bryan, Ohio, and wants to continue giving through her mother’s Foundation by providing assistance to educators as well as families and patients impacted by glioblastoma brain cancer. Abby misses her mother every day and remembers all of the beautiful parenting lessons that Mel would share over the years.

Abby is a graduate of Wittenberg University where she played for their women’s volleyball team. She is currently the Controller for Northwest State Community College. She began her career as the HR Representative and Accountant at a countertop manufacturer and has worked in leadership positions at the County Hospital of Williams County, Controller at a NW Ohio manufacturing company and Chief Financial Officer for PHD, Inc. Abby and her family are active members at New Hope Community Church.

Mike Sutter, Secretary

Mike Sutter, Melanie’s husband, met Melanie at a singles dance in 2013 and it was love at first sight from across the dance floor. The two of them were inseparable. They enjoyed gardening at their beautiful home on Little Long Lake in Fremont, Indiana. When they weren’t relaxing at home, they were traveling around the United States on one of their many road trip adventures.

Mike has a distinguished background in small businesses and public service. A native of Detroit, Michigan, Mike is the former Shipshewana (Indiana) Town Manager, and serves as an advisor of his family business, Michiana Laminated Products, Inc. Mike was a former County Commissioner, Road Commissioner and City Commissioner in Michigan cumulatively spanning over 20 years. He was also the co-founder of the St Joseph County (Michigan) Economic Development Corporation in 1997 and former President of Michigan Works, a state wide Michigan job training consortium.

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