Melissa Jane (Berg) Merritt, age 54, lifelong resident of New Castle, beloved wife, mother, sister, daughter, and aunt, passed away unexpectedly on Jan. 8, 2022, following an eight-year battle with breast cancer. Missy was born on Aug. 4, 1967, in New Castle, to Joseph Tidman Berg and Emily Jane (Allen) Berg Benn. On July 2, 1988, she married her beloved husband of 33 years, Gary D. Merritt. He survives at home. Missy was a graduate of New Castle High School. She went on to obtain her B. S. undergraduate degree in Internet Technology, from Penn State University, Shenango Campus. Missy also earned a Master of Arts degree from ¬¬¬¬Mount St. Joseph University in 2017. For sixteen years, she was the Director of the Western PA Children's Dyslexia Center in New Castle. As well as being the Director, she was an IMSLEC Initial Level & Advanced Level Instructor for the Center. In 2020 Missy became a Multi-Sensory Structured Language Education Therapist. Among some of her many hobbies, Missy enjoyed cooking, sewing, gardening, photography and going on any new adventure. She loved to travel, get fresh lobster in Maine, and especially loved the beach. She was always planning her next adventure. Missy loved to be in the kitchen and baking. She shared that love with her kids and nieces regularly. She enjoyed entertaining friends and family all the time. Her passion in life was helping and caring for others. She loved her job and helping children learn to read. She was a member of the Presbyterian faith and enjoyed going to church. Missy was an active member of the Homesteading group, and ALTA. She loved life and most of all enjoyed spending her time with her family and friends. In addition to her husband, Missy is survived by her mother, Emily (Bill) Benn; son, Jeffery D. (Jordyn) Merritt; daughter, Anna Marie (Anthony Gallucci) Merritt; sister, Patricia L. (Sam) Monaco; sister-in-law, Mikki Berg; nieces Giada Monaco and Guiliana Monaco; and nephew, Joseph A. Berg, Jr. Missy was preceded in death by her father, Joseph Tidman Berg, one brother, Joseph A. Berg, Sr., and her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph A. Berg, Dr. Homer Richard Allen, Dr. Jane Allen Work and William Work. Friends are invited to join the family for a celebration of life service to be led by Rev. Jordan Rimmer on Fri. January 14th, 10:30 AM at Northminster Presbyterian Church, 2434 Wilmington Road, New Castle. Memorial contributions may be made to the Western PA Children's Dyslexia Center, 110 E. Lincoln Ave., New Castle, PA 16101. NewCastle@cdcinc.org. Arrangements have been entrusted to the R. Cunningham Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc., 2429 Wilmington Road, New Castle, PA 16105.