CSOR bids farewell to one of its warriors
By Captain Sally-Ann Cyr
CSOR Public Affairs Officer
Posted on May 31, 2018
A funeral was held on May 23, 2018, for Master Corporal Mélissa Paquet.
Mélissa passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by her loved ones on May 16, 2018, at the age of 43.
A proud Québécoise, she joined the Canadian Armed Forces in 1999 as an armoured soldier. Following postings to 12e Régiment blindé du Canada and the Royal Canadian Dragoons, Mélissa deployed to Afghanistan in 2005.
The Top Female Athlete during her Basic Training, Mélissa was an accomplished athlete who competed regionally and nationally in biathlon, winning numerous competitions and awards.
Always looking to challenge herself, Mélissa applied to and was accepted for selection with the Canadian Special Operations Regiment (CSOR), then a brand-new unit. She completed the grueling Special Forces Course and joined CSOR in 2006 as a Special Forces Operator, the first, and to date, only female to do so.
Mélissa was a parachutist, Mountain Operations specialist and Recce Patrolmen, to name a few of her many qualifications. She deployed with the Canadian Special Operations Forces Command mission in Afghanistan in 2007.
Mélissa was a loving wife and godmother to three children. She was devoted to her dogs, Timber and LouLou. Amongst her friends and close colleagues she was known for her love of travel and adventure, water and whales. She was renowned for her warrior spirit and resiliency.
In her final words to family and friends, including her fellow members of CSOR, Mélissa reminded everyone to live their lives to the fullest, and remember that in the end, love is all that matters.
Mélissa, or Mel as she was known to friends, never gave up. She told her family that she was looking forward to her next great adventure.
Her spirit is embodied in the ethos of CSOR and her memory will continue to live in the hearts and minds of her Regiment.
CSOR bids farewell to one of its warriors
