The R4i team has a bright new star in the heavens!
With heavy hearts, we are deeply saddened to let our industry friends know that one of our dearest R4i family members, Melanie “Mel” Marquez, has lost her battle with breast cancer.
Over the past 5 years Mel worked with us from Manila, Philippines as our R4i QA Manager and more importantly, she was a loving wife and mother of two young boys, 6 and 2 years of age. The strength that Mel showed throughout her treatment was simply remarkable and over the past year, we have all come to admire her determination to make her world as normal as possible.
Most of the R4i users may not know Mel by name, but for those that use our solutions, Mel was instrumental in ensuring the quality in our products was always top-notch. She broke it first, so you did not have to! Mel may have been behind the scenes in the general sense and was behind the screen virtually, but her presence was always bigger than life for each of us in our own way.
In this new virtual environment we live in, our work family bond with Mel was another reminder that we did not need to be in the same building, state, or even country to believe and trust in each other. Across 3 countries and with multiple time zones, the R4i team found a way to build a connection together without being in the same room. Her quiet demeanor and laughter amongst the noise in our team meetings will be dearly missed, but her memory will bring us joy for a lifetime.
There has been so much tragedy this past year and we continue to be reminded that one’s health is the truest gift one can have. On behalf of the R4i team, we want everyone to know how thankful we are to have been a part of Melanie’s life and that she was a cherished gift to each of us!
Our bright new star is shining down on us and as much as Melanie will be missed by all her family, she is peacefully smiling as we remember her with much love and joy in our hearts.
With our deepest sympathy,
Melissa “Mel2” and the R4i Team.
