Good afternoon. I am June Cumberbatch, a former student, and colleague of Melanie’s. I went to school and we worked together at the Queens College Extension Center and in the Urban Studies Program.

I would like to say that Melanie has been a mentor and a friend through all my college days and long after, even into her death. She allowed me to look at others and to look at the aspects of life in every thought, action and feeling.  And she forced you to look at issues that made you thoughtful, representative, and respectful of others persons, and allowed you to respect their differences and be accepting of everyone for who they are and where you meet them.

She will always be in my heart and I am very proud to call myself a friend.

Thank you.