Melissa O Kaminski

Melissa Ottinger Kaminski, a lifelong resident of Pennington, NJ, lost her brave battle with cancer on Monday, February 27,  2023 at her home, surrounded by her family. She was 69. 

Melissa was born on December 2nd, 1953 in Princeton, NJ.  She graduating from Hopewell High School, Class of 1972. She went on to be a dedicated employee of the state of NJ, working for the Department of Health for 38 years. 

Throughout her life, Melissa always had an immense passion for Music.  This was expressed early in life when she attended the infamous Woodstock Music Festival at age 16. She often commented on the sheer bliss of witnessing such a historic moment in music and that she’d not know “there were that many people who think like me”. Melissa went back to Woodstock on the 50th anniversary of the legendary festival with her 3 Sons and attended the concert of an all time favorite artist of hers, Carlos Santana. 

Melissa enjoyed making ceramic pottery, quilting, and scrap booking.  She found immense joy in restoring and decorating her beautiful historic home on Main St. Her eye and talent for interior design was unmatched.  Melissa was a lifelong collector of Native American Jewelry; Turquoise, her birthstone, being her favorite. She will be remembered for her timeless, elegant sense of style; Always the best dressed in any room. Melissa had a passion for gardening and a fondness for the outdoors, spending many an afternoon under the sun in her back yard or taking walks around town.  Melissa loved to travel and her happy place was the beach. She’d often visit destinations where she could put her feet in the sand and work on her tan. 

She is preceded in death by John Clewell Ottinger and Elizabeth Kline Ottinger; Sister, Rhynie Jefferson and Brother, Van Ottinger and is survived by her sons, Jesse Kaminski of Jacksonville OR, Jordan Kaminski of Doylestown, PA and Jared Kaminski, of Pennington, NJ; her siblings, Jay Ottinger of Titusville, NJ and Peter Ottinger of San Marcos, CA; as well as her grandchildren Tyler, and Caleb Kaminski and her Lifelong partner and friend Michael Kaminski. 

There will be a memorial service and celebration of life on April 22nd at 11 am at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, 300 S Main St, Pennington, NJ 08534.All who knew Melissa are welcome.