Melissa A. Carothers

It is with a broken heart that we share the passing of our beloved Melissa Carothers, 71. Melissa left us peacefully with her sister by her side on the morning of April 11, 2024, after suffering from two strokes in February. 

Melissa, or Lisa as she was affectionately known, was so special, so loving, and so damn funny.  She was a one-of-kind, do-it-her-own-way woman. Her sense of humor was a huge part of her endearing personality.  She cracked jokes that made all of us laugh until our faces hurt. Lisa loved her family more than anything else, especially her beloved daughter, Jennifer Matheny, whose passing in 2020 she was never able to come to terms with. She said that motherhood was her greatest gift and is what she excelled at above all else. It brings us some comfort knowing that Madre and Jenny are reunited again for eternity.

Lisa also loved family poker games and visiting casinos from Vegas to the North Shore. “Come back Lisa” loved to take everyone’s money late in the game. Many of her fellow players’ empty wallets can attest to her skill at poker. Melissa loved our Pittsburgh Steelers, screaming with either joy or disgust depending on the score.

She was an advocate for peace and a staunch supporter of women’s rights. Melissa served as a proud Steward for CWA Local 13550 at AT&T, where she worked for 34 years. Her efforts to secure job security contracts, differential pay scales, and improved working conditions are widely recognized. 

She was very generous to those in crisis. Melissa made numerous anonymous donations to fire victims, homeless charities, and women’s shelters.

Lisa was the third child of John and Arlene Carothers and grew up and made her home in Sheraden. She graduated from Holy Innocents High School in 1970. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, Richard Carothers, and her daughter, Jennifer. She is survived by her sister, Susan Carothers, her sister-in-law, Ruth Carothers, her nephew and niece, Damon and Courtney Carothers, her son-in-law Donald Williams, and her great nieces, Sola and Annika Kwiatkowski. 

Keep your treasured memories of Melissa in your heart; they will always make you smile. 

A viewing will take place on Thursday, April 18^th from 4-7pm with a short service at 7pm at WILLIAM SLATER II FUNERAL SERVICE, 1650 Greentree Rd., Scott Twp., 15220, (412-563-2800). Private burial on Friday, April 19th.  

The Carothers family looks forward to seeing friends, family, classmates, and co-workers. 

In lieu of flowers, we request donations be sent to The Light of Light Mission, the Salvation Army, or to the Women’s Center & Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh.

www.slaterfuneral.com