Melanie Nadine Russo-Fairbanks

August 28, 1973 – July 5, 2025

Dear friends and family of Melanie Russo-Fairbanks, it is with a heavy heart we share that on July 5th, Melanie passed peacefully in her sleep, surrounded in love with her family present.

Melanie was born on August 28, 1973, in Modesto California and lived near the Town of Steilacoom Washington where she shared a home with her loving life partner Kenny Rudisill for the past 12 years.

A beloved mother and grandmother, Melanie leaves behind her Mother Karen Russo, her son Christopher Fairbanks and his wife Molly, her grandson Skylar, twin sister Amy Boufford, sister Laura Russo, brother Doug Russo, sister Cathy Russo, Uncle Bruce Wheeler, Aunt Kathy, her lifelong friend Glenna Dillon along with numerous nieces and nephews who she loved so much

Melanie was the youngest of 9 siblings, she is preceded in death by her brothers Art, Jeff, Marc and Chris, her grandson Caleb and her father Arthur Russo.

Melanie attended high school at Stadium High in Tacoma and graduated from Aberdeen High School

She spent majority of her working life excelling in aerospace production control at Bumstead/Primus/PCC Aerospace in Auburn

Melanie was a beautiful person who had a profound love for her family and friends. She was someone who made friends easily and once a friend, friends for a lifetime. She loved making people laugh. She was quick-witted and always had a smart comeback or joke at the tip of her tongue.

Melanie lived an active life with her Kenny by traveling, camping near a lake or ocean, socializing with amazing friends she loved so much at car shows and at backyard BBQ's, plus attending and watching the Seahawks and Washington Husky football games. She mostly loved spending time with her son's family and her grandchildren who she absolutely adored.

She also enjoyed gardening, cooking, painting, reading, watching horror movies cuddling on the couch near the fireplace, dancing, listening to all types of music and was a talented singer with the most beautiful voice.

Melanie will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.

May her memory be a blessing. We will carry her love in our hearts. She is at peace now, and Her spirit will live on.

A Graveside Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, July 25th, 2025 at New Tacoma Chambers Creek Cemetery in University Place, WA.

A Celebration of Melanie's life will be held immediately following the service at the Chambers Creek Chapel