CORRECTION TO SERVICE DATE and DAY: Services will begin with visitation at 10AM Friday, January 9, 202, followed by Funeral Mass at 11am, at St. Anne’s Catholic Church, 2100 Farragut Ave in Butte. Rite of Committal will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery 4700 Harrison Ave, Butte.
Melissa Morin McGregor passed away December 8, 2025 in Portland, Oregon after a 19-month battle with breast cancer. At her side were her husband, Brian, and close friend Cheryl Nicponski. She held on just long enough for a last visit with her daughter, Caitlin.
Melissa, born on February 2, 1962, was daughter of the late William “Bill” and Marijane Livingston Morin. She came on as the baby of the family with two older sisters and two older brothers. The siblings anxiously awaiting, whether a boy or girl, how the family balance would change.
Missy attended McKinley Grade School, West Jr High School and graduated from Butte High School in1980. Her activities included skating with the Butte Figure Skating Club, art lessons, choir groups and time with her friends (including her parents).
In her adult years she ran three marathons, including New York, taught fitness classes at ExerDance and was quite proud of her moniker, “Risky”, with the Copper City Roller Queens.
She attended the University of Montana majoring in television production. It was in Missoula that she first auditioned for a part in the Missoula Community Theater’s Production of “Oliver”. She was cast as one of the leads, Nancy, and a “star was born”. Missy loved the theater and for many years continued to appear in local theater and professional productions including Montana Repertory Theater. Working at KXLF TV in production and switching during the news kept her in the creative arena.
Melissa first married Robin Smith with whom she had her daughter, Caitlin. Later she married Dale Messmer. She then married Brian McGregor, her soul mate, on September 17, 2007.
Melissa decided to go back to school to pursue a career in nursing. She attended Montana Tech for one year then transferred to the nursing program at Carroll College graduating in May of 2000. Nursing was a TRUE CALLING. Her career began at St James Healthcare. It was there that she made the life changing decision to matriculate into Oncology Nursing. Melissa’s patients loved her and we continue to hear constant praise of her ability to bring her” joy in life” to them.
After the death of our father in 2011 Missy helped with the care of our mother in a family team effort. When mother passed in 2018, Missy made the decision to become a traveling nurse. She was in Washington DC at the height of Covid and spent a year there in what were very uncertain times in handling the pandemic. After placement in several oncology units around the country, she was offered a permanent position at Oregon Health Sciences University. Portland’s lifestyle appealed to Melissa and she made many friends in the Oncology Center and Woodstock Athletics Cross Fitness. These friends and the ones from Butte’s Cross Fitness Center uplifted her with visits throughout her last few challenging months. Her sense of humor, smile and optimism were with her to the last days. We are forever grateful to all these friends who were dedicated beyond measure.
Preceding Melissa in death in addition to her parents, Bill & Marijane, were her Grandparents, Al & Kathleen Livingston and Mae & Alfred Morin, her favorite cat, Tugger, and many more cats too numerous to mention. She is survived by daughter, Caitlin Tyler, husband Brian McGregor, sisters, Sheri (Joel) Broudy, Suzanne (David) Peterson, brothers Mark Morin, Michael (Lorri) Morin. Nieces and nephews, Jay (Laura) Broudy, Barbra (David Armour) Broudy, Sean (Naomi) Peterson and Kyle (Fernando) Peterson, Meg (Dustin) McNeil, Brady Morin and Katie (Gryphon) Nayman.
Please join us Friday, January 9, 2026 at St Ann’s Catholic Church, 2100 Farragut Avenue, Butte, Montana. Visitation at 10:00 AM, Mass at 11:00 AM.
Please visit below to offer condolences to the family or share a memory of Missy. Axelson Funeral & Cremations is privileged to care for Missy and her family.
Service Schedule
Visitation
10 A.M.
Friday January 9, 2026
St. Ann's Catholic Church
2100 Farragut Ave
Butte, Montana 59701
Funeral Mass
11 A.M.
Friday January 9, 2026
St. Ann's Catholic Church
2100 Farragut Ave
Butte, Montana 59701
Rite of Committal
Following Service
Friday January 9, 2026
Holy Cross Cemetery
4700 Harrison Ave
Butte, Montana 59701
Service Schedule
Visitation
10 A.M.
Friday January 9, 2026
St. Ann's Catholic Church
2100 Farragut Ave
Butte, Montana 59701
Funeral Mass
11 A.M.
Friday January 9, 2026
St. Ann's Catholic Church
2100 Farragut Ave
Butte, Montana 59701
Rite of Committal
Following Service
Friday January 9, 2026
Holy Cross Cemetery
4700 Harrison Ave
Butte, Montana 59701
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Terri Boyer says
So sorry to hear of Missys passing sending prayers and love to you and your family !!! She was so talented in theatre! She was a great person !!!
Tammy Austin says
I worked with Melissa in the cancer center in Butte. What an amazing soul. She never met a stranger, her energy and empathy was real. She will be missed by many. Hugs and prayers for your family.
Andree O’Shea says
So so sad and sorry to hear of Melissa’s passing. She was such an incredible person, friend, Mom, Sister, Nurse, wife. I will miss her everyday.
Becky Byrne says
My big sister in the Theta house! She brought such joy and laughter to our lives. I pray Christ holds her family close with the knowledge of how all Theta sisters love and honor today Missy. Our hearts mourn her loss on earth. ✝️❤️🙏🏻
JoAnn Barkell says
Dear Sherri and family. I’m so sorry for your loss. I just want you to know that I’m thinking about you and your family during this sad and difficult time. Sincerely, JoAnn Barkell
Curt Olds says
This passing is much hard than most. Our dear friend Missy was a force of good, a person who brought people together. I will always hear her joyous laugh and feel her wonderful sense of humor. My deepest sympathy to Sheri, Joel, Barb and the rest of her extended family.
Bridget Sullivan says
Melissa started off as one of my many lovely oncology nurses when I was going through my own cancer experience as a scared 27 year old. She quickly became a friend. I got to be on the same stage as her in a few Orphan Girl productions, and I was in awe of her. Not only was she a supremely lovely friend, she was an amazing performer. She had an energy to her that was impossible to ignore. She was just so amazingly vibrant. I wish her own experience with cancer had ended up like mine. The world is far less bright without her in it. Rest dear friend, you’ve earned that. My condolences to her family.
Tim Bass says
Dear Sherri and family. Sorry to read of your sisters passing. Thoughts and prayers to you and yours.
Mike S says
My thoughts are with the Morin Family as they mourn the passing of their little baby Missy. I always enjoyed her big smile and infectious laugh. I will hear her laugh (and maybe MaryJane’s voice) every time walk by 1120 W Diamond.
Marlene Murdo says
Missy was such a beautiful spirit, inside and out. She will be missed. God Bless your family..
Victoria MacDonald says
Dear Sheri, Suzzanne, Michael, Mark and family,
Sorry to hear of Melissa’s passing. She was an accomplished, creative woman. She made a difference in many people’s lives.
If I can be of assistance to any you please let me know. My prayers are with you and the family during this time as Melissa moves on to her new life.
Charline Siphers says
I will never forget our wild and crazy Theta sister. She was so beautiful and talented and always had the finest perfume and makeup. She was a fabulous singer and an amazing thespian. I’m so sorry for your loss. I am sorry I lost touch with her throughout the years.
John D Kovacich says
Melissa;
A beautiful person, with a beautiful soul, a person who so deeply cared for her family, friends, and the people she treated and cared for as a highly regarded oncology nurse ~ Missy experienced everything from nursing, acting, singing, weightlifting, and roller derby with 100% passion, determination, and energy!! She lived, she really lived!!
Memory be Eternal,
Schlifka says
Melissa brought so much joy to our oncology unit. We were so lucky to have her with us for the last few years. She will be missed by many.
Sarah Elkins says
A force of nature, Melissa’s enthusiasm & joy were contagious. Her smile, fierce hugs, and no bullshit attitude are sorely missed. So much love to Brian and Caitlin, her extended family, and the entire community grieving her loss.
JANICE CLARK MUNIZ says
My thoughts and prayers to all of Missy’s family and friends. She was such an amazing women. She had a heart of gold and so much love for people and animals.
May her beautiful memories hold dear in your hearts,
Rest in peace Melissa and watch over your family from above.
Janice Clark Muniz
Denise Gorman says
Missy ….fun,loving, spirited person. She loved life and all the people in it. As a nurse her compassion and laughter made the day brighter. She will be missed by all who knew her. God bless her family and friends.
Julie David says
Oh, Melissa. One of my first friends when I moved to Bilutte in 2005. I remember sharing the stage with her in Children of Eden, and other shows. I’ll miss you, sweet friend.
Marshall McGregor says
What a delight to meet my sister in law when I visited my brother in Butte. She was still an Oncology Nurse in Butte. And still a leader on the Roller Derby Team. What a smile, what a laugh, what an amazing spirit! And when a player fell on her and broke her leg, she got into weightlifting and was a champion in no time..So nice to hear about her life before in College and acting and all. She loved her daughter, her husband, her teammates, her friends and her community. I visited her in the care home in Oregon a few weeks before she passed. She was still sporting that big Melissa smile and spirit. The world has taken a loss with her passing but we are better off having share these trips around the sun with her.
Debra Ouellette says
I first met Melissa in 7th grade. While I did not move in the same circles as her, you always knew where she was. Melissa was one of my mother’s nurses, and also a good friend’s nurse! She was amazing! She absolutely earned her wings! Fly high!🙏🏼🙏🏼
Debra Ouellette