A private funeral for the Lynn mother who died saving her son from drowning in New Hampshire has been scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 24.
Melissa Bagley, 44, died on Aug. 15 when her family, along with a friend, went to New Hampshire’s Franconia Falls on a trip. While there, her son slipped and fell in one of the pools, Hampshire Fish and Game Department said in a statement.
Her son’s foot was caught between rocks as the waters streamed passed him. Bagley jumped in to save him. When she began to struggle, her other two sons jumped in to save them. The boy who was initially trapped got out, but one of his brothers in turn got stuck.
Her husband, Everett police Lt. Sean Bagley arrived to find his wife on a rock and his son in the water. Lt. Bagley performed CPR on his wife, but she was not revived. Lt. Bagley turned to his son who was still stuck and was able to pull him out. Then the officer returned to his wife and waited with her until first responders arrived.
“She was a vibrant soul taken far too soon,” her obituary on Solimine Funeral Homes’ website. “… Melissa was the ultimate hockey, baseball and horse show mom and was so very proud of her children and their accomplishments. She was an avid gardener, member of the Swampscott Chamber of Commerce and parishioner of St. John the Evangelist Church, Swampscott.”
Bagley was born Jan. 24, 1979. Raised in Swampscott and Lynn, she studied cosmetology and esthetics at the Elizabeth Grady School of Esthetics and Massage Therapy in Medford. She was the former owner of and CEO of Euphoria Esthetics Day Spa in Swampscott.
Bagley was passionate about her children, taking on volunteer opportunities “and went above and beyond to ensure not only her children felt supported, but all of their team members, classmates and friends…” the obituary said.
To financially support her children, Everett police set up the Melissa Bagley Family Memorial Fund. The idea followed an outpouring of support from those who reached out with “thoughts, concerns and willingness to help out,” a police Facebook post read.
Her daughter-in-law, Alison Frazee, also set up a GoFundMe to help financially support the family. Frazee described Bagley as “the epitome of selflessness by making the ultimate sacrifice for her family.” The GoFundMe hopes to raise $75,000 to help support Bagley’s family. So far, the GoFundMe page received as of this writing $77,680 from 911 donations. To donate, visit the GoFundMe page at the link here.
“While her physical presence has left a void, Melissa’s spirit will forever remain in the hearts of those she touched,” her obituary read. “Her infectious warmth, generosity, and lively nature made her a source of comfort and inspiration to all. She had the remarkable ability to offer unwavering support, guidance, and uplifting words to all who crossed her path.”
Bagley’s funeral will be held at Solimine Funeral Home on 67 Ocean St. in Lynn on Thursday at 8:30 a.m. Funeral Mass will follow at St. John the Evangelist Church in Swampscott at 10 a.m. She will be buried at Puritan Lawn Memorial Park in Peabody. The obituary said relatives and friends are “respectfully invited to attend.”
“As we bid farewell to Melissa, let us remember her through the symbol she held dear — the ladybug,” the obituary concluded. “May each ladybug that graces our path serve as a reminder of her love and the impact she made on our lives. She will be eternally missed.”
