Melissa Isabelle Ingram

Born March 8 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina to the late James and Alice Ingram, Melissa spent some of her formative years in London and Thailand where her father was an Economics professor. After graduating Chapel Hill High School in 1975, she attended the University of North Carolina where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Studio Art. Later, she earned a Master’s Degree in Recreation Administration, also at UNC. At mental health and chronic care facilities in New Jersey and New York, Melissa honed her skills in therapeutic recreation and eventually became Director of Therapeutic Recreation Services at Goldwater Memorial Hospital in New York City. In the early 1990s, she completed a program at the Swedish Massage Institute and practiced as a licensed Massage Therapist in NY. Around this time she also began studying energy healing with Barbara Brennan and Dr. Robert Jaffe.

After moving to Kansas in 1992 with her husband Mike, she developed a thriving energy healing practice. She was a strong influence in the healing community in Kansas City and gained a reputation there as a first rate healer as well as an excellent teacher of energy. Melissa believed it was important for her clients to develop their own self- healing awareness, abilities, and practices. She continued to expand and complement her energy work with spiritual pursuits, including visits to the Casa de Dom Inacio in Brazil; and as a devotee of Amma the Hugging Saint.

In addition to her work as a healer, Melissa was a respected, award-winning artist in Kansas City. At an early age she was drawn to art of all forms. As a child she loved to draw cartoon figures, mostly animals, and could capture expressions and emotions on these imaginary figures. Her art evolved over time, and she produced paintings and sculptures with varied style, color, and design.

Melissa is survived by her husband of 28 years, Michael Grogan; her sisters Deborah Ingram and Susan Ingram, both of Chevy Chase, Maryland; and her four nephews, Carleton, Erik, David and Michael.

Melissa had a smile that lit up the room, and a laugh that was infectious. A memorial service in celebration of her life will be held at McGilley Memorial Chapel on Thursday, May 26, at 2:00 pm, followed by a reception.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to make a donation in Melissa’s memory are invited to contribute to Amma’s charitable organization in North America, the M.A. Center. Information can be found at: http://amma.org/donations.

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