Melissa Kim Siik (Femino)

Melissa K. Siik, a beloved wife, mother, sister, scholar, creator, and friend, was called to God on August 7, 2025, leaving behind a legacy of love, wit, resilience, and curiosity.

Melissa was born in Salem, MA, on March 16, 1979, to David Femino and Kim E. Michaud. Her journey was marked by an insatiable thirst for knowledge and a deep faith. She graduated from Goffstown High School, earned her BA in English from Saint Anselm College in 2002, then pursued her Master’s at UNH from 2002 to 2004, and completed her PhD in English Literature in 2011. Her dissertation, “The Alien Within’: Residual Catholicism and the Emerging National Identity of Post-Reformation England,” reflected her scholarly depth and passion for understanding the human experience. Her love for learning extended internationally through her participation in the Summer Program at the University of Cambridge in England.

Melissa dedicated her life to her husband, Nicholas, and their four children—Amelia, Adalynn, Thomas, and Henry. Guided by her unwavering faith as a devoted Catholic and parishioner of Ste. Marie’s Church in Manchester, NH, she found boundless strength. Her courageous battle with cystic fibrosis was fought with grace, sarcasm, wit, and humor. Despite numerous treatments and hospital stays, she always held onto her passions and her desire to live each day to the fullest.

Melissa shared her love for knowledge as an educator, serving as an adjunct professor at UNH, Mount Washington College, and the College of Saint Mary Magdalen, as well as an online writing consultant. She also home-schooled her children at different points throughout their education.

As a passionate creator, Melissa became a YouTube Platinum Creator for her channel, 39% Weird, where she expertly curated unique soaps from around the world and produced beloved ASMR soap videos. Her channel has amassed over 200,000 subscribers and single videos with more than 40 million views.

Melissa’s vibrant energy extended into her hobbies. She was a voracious reader, a talented writer, a runner until her health no longer permitted, and an avid learner of German and Latin. Her artistic talent shone through her sketching with markers, and she found joy in music, fashion, horror movies, and Halloween celebrations. Some of her favorite shows included American Horror Story, Breaking Bad, and Frasier. Most notably, she credited the novel Crime and Punishment with having a profound effect on her life.

Melissa’s greatest joy was her family. She leaves her devoted husband, Nicholas L. Siik, and their four cherished children — Amelia, Adalynn, Thomas, and Henry. She is also survived by her parents - David Femino and Kim E. Michaud; her siblings, Renee Scott, Joseph (Kellie) Femino, Katie (Jeremy) Jutras, and Samantha (Billy) Wilkinson; her nieces and nephews, Dominic and Lucas Femino; Scarlett, Alexandria, and Giorgio Scott; Joel and Pheobe Jutras; Brielle, William, Juniper and Violet Wilkinson; her in-laws Claudia Siik, Lucas Siik, Canaan Faenza, Derrik Siik; and many loving aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Assisting with arrangements is Phaneuf Funeral Home. There will be a Visitation on Wednesday, August 20, 2025, from 4pm-7pm at the funeral home, 243 Hanover Street, Manchester, NH. Recommended attire per the family is casual wear, jeans permitted. Beverages and desserts will be provided.

On the following day, Thursday, August 21, 2025, there will be a Funeral Mass at Ste. Marie's Church at 10am, 378 Notre Dame Ave, Manchester, NH, and a graveside service following the mass at Mt. Calvary Cemetery, 474 Goffstown Road, Manchester, NH. Recommended attire per the family is semi-formal attire or higher.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Ste. Marie’s Church in Manchester or the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, honoring her courageous spirit and unwavering faith.

Melissa’s infectious smile, sharp mind, and generous heart will be deeply missed but forever remembered.

To view Melissa's YouTube Channel, please use this link, https://youtube.com/@39weird?si=DXE_3OWu65T6GECG.

To view Melissa's Facebook Page, please use this link, https://www.facebook.com/share/1BysKWFkva/?mibextid=wwXIfr.