Melanie Beth Schaffner

Melanie Beth Schaffner, aged 55, passed away peacefully at home on July 5, 2024, in Glen Burnie, Maryland. Born on February 21, 1969, in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Melanie was known for her vibrant spirit and compassionate nature. Melanie graduated from Dulaney High School in Timonium, Maryland, in 1987, and later pursued higher education, studying Music Business at the Eugene Lang College of Liberal Arts at the New School in New York City, the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, receiving a B.Sc. in Geography and Environmental Systems in 2005 and an M.S in Environmental Sciences and Policy at Johns Hopkins University in 2010. Her academic journey was a lifelong pursuit of knowledge and personal growth. Melanie began her career in the music industry at Concrete Marketing and then Capitol Records, both in New York City. She wrote numerous articles profiling musicians and rock bands, both in New York City and later for ROX magazine in Baltimore. Her next marketing venture was with Absolute Entertainment in Upper Saddle River, New Jersey, a video game publishing company. She returned to her home in Baltimore in the mid-1990s and has worked for the Johns Hopkins University Press: Project MUSE for over 27 years, culminating as the Director of Communication, Marketing and Engagement. Melanie Schaffner (jhu.edu) Throughout her life, Melanie was deeply passionate about music, pet rescue, theatre, and travel. These interests not only brought joy to her life but also to those around her, as she was always eager to share her experiences and discoveries. Melanie's enthusiasm for life was infectious, and her presence at any event was a guarantee of warmth, laughter and good food. Melanie experienced an incredibly rich, satisfying life, full of love and adventure. Melanie met Marc while both were serving as skating officials for regional roller derby. She believed that whenever time and means allowed, she should not “wait for later” but rather take the trip/see the concert/eat the fancy meal/go on the adventure/try the new hobby/buy the expensive tickets/get the degrees/travel to exotic destinations and so much more. One of her most recent expeditions was a cruise from Vancouver, British Columbia to Seward, Alaska with Marc, also visiting Denali, and staying in a yurt with Alaskan Iditarod sled dogs. Melanie had so many wonderful friends and family willing to join her in these experiences. She had very little left on her “bucket list” - the bucket was overflowing, and she was grateful. She would not want those left behind to experience sorrow, pain, and grief, but rather take joy in the life she lived and the memories they shared with her. Her friends and family kept her smiling and reminded her in recent months that she was more than just a sick person, but rather still our Melanie that we all treasured, valued and loved. She is survived by her partner, Marc E. Rollins, his son, Connor F. Rollins, her mother, Dorothy R. Cross and stepfather, Howard E. Cross, and her sister, Melissa A. Schaffner. Melanie’s sweet cats, Louis, Mama Cass, Denny and Teddy, will miss her tremendously. Melanie was preceded in death by her father, Robert Thomas Schaffner, Jr., maternal grandparents, Lloyd and Ruth Gingrich and paternal grandparents, Robert and Sarah Schaffner. A Celebration of Life service will be planned at a later date, where friends and family will gather to honor Melanie's memory and the incredible impact she had on their lives. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Melanie's memory to Anne Arundel SaveCats: Front Page - SAVECats (aacsavecats.org), Gentle Giants Draft Horse Rescue: Gentle Giants (gentlegiantsdrafthorserescue.org), or the Kerrville Folk Festival Foundation: Donate | kerrvillefolkfest (kerrvillefolkfestival.org). These organizations reflect her love for animals and the arts, and contributions will help continue the work that was her passion.

Melanie Beth Schaffner

February 21, 1969 - July 5, 2024