Melissa Becker-Kaplanowski

Melissa Becker-Kaplanowski (56) of Galway passed away at Saratoga Hospital last Thursday, March 7, 2024 after a years-long battle with illness. Born to Robert Jones, Sr. and Sandra (White) Fuegmann in Oneonta, NY on March 22, 1967, Melissa was a graduate of Cobleskill High School and would go on to earn her Master of Science in Family Practice Nursing from Stony Brook University. She was a passionate and dedicated caregiver to her countless patients over her 25-year career as a Nurse Practitioner and she was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother who had a passion for travel, gardening, and cooking—both for her family and those in need.

Melissa is survived by her loving husband of 12 years, Gerard Kaplanowski of Galway; two sons: Alex (Sarah) Becker of Howes Cave and Chris Becker of Castleton-on-Hudson; two grandchildren: Kenzie and Feivel; nine siblings: Rhoda (Ron) Kinder of Berne, Robert (Kelly) Jones, Jr. of Lawyersville, Ronald (Colleen) Marsh of Charlotteville, Sheila Frank of Cobleskill, Diane (Bart) Ingersoll of Carolina Shores, NC, Tammy Althiser of Albany, Susan (Jeremy) Strickland of New Brunswick, Canada, Kristie (Merrill) Cline of Gilboa, and Shawn Kelley of Jefferson; her stepmother Kathleen Jones of Cobleskill; as well as 18 nieces/nephews. In addition to her mother and father, she was predeceased by her brother Jeffrey Jones and daughter Cassandra “CJ” Becker.

Family and friends are invited to a celebration of her life on what would have been her 57th birthday, March 22, 2024 at 6PM at Mereness-Putnam Funeral Home, 171 Elm St., Cobleskill.

Contributions in memory of Melissa Becker-Kaplanowski may be made to Marathon for a Better Life, PO Box 268 Warnerville, NY 12187.