“Devastating loss”: Gaston County EMS Lieutenant dies from COVID complications

GASTON COUNTY N.C. (WBTV) - Gaston County EMS is mourning the loss of Lieutenant Melanie Massagee, who passed away Sunday following a battle with COVID-19.

She had been battling COVID since just before Christmas and was recently on a ventilator suffering from complications just before she died.

Massagee began her service in Gaston County with the Bessemer City Rescue Squad in 1978, and later joined Gaston County EMS as a volunteer auxiliary member, and would become a full-time member in 2007. She was currently assigned to B-Shift as the lieutenant.

“Melanie was known for her giving personality, dedication to ensuring no one was left unheard or went without,” Gaston County EMS said in a press release. “Melanie was a friend to all who knew her. Melanie lived a life of service and commitment to her faith, family, friends, and the patients she served.”

Gaston County EMS says Massagee’s family hopes this tragedy will realize how devastating COVID can be and encourages everyone to take all necessary precautions to help prevent future tragedies.

“Our mother was an awesome Paramedic and that’s because she loved to help others but more than that she was a loving, caring and compassionate mother, grandmother, wife, daughter and sister! We hope that her death brings attention to how serious this pandemic is. We seen others sick and struggling but never thought it would hit this close to home. My mother was the strongest woman I knew and if it can take her than it can take anyone. Our family can not say thank you enough for all the kind words from everyone,” daughter Tonya Hannah said.

The agency has placed a temporary memorial in front of their station located at 615 N Highland Street in Gastonia for anyone that would like to pay their respects.

A public funeral service will be held Tuesday, Jan. 18 at First Assembly of God (777 S. Myrtle School Road in Gastonia) at 3 p.m. The visitation will happen from 1-3 p.m. before the funeral service.

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