We here at TODAY'S TMJ4 HD, Newsradio 620 WTMJ and the Journal Broadcast Group were proud to call Melodie Wilson a colleague and friend over the years, even those of us who grew up watching her without having the chance to call her a co-worker.

Join us in sending your thoughts/prayers about Melodie, who died of incurable cancer at 59 years old.

Click here to e-mail your memories, thoughts, condolences and prayers.  We will post selected ones below on this Web page.

From Carole and Tom:
"You were an inspiration to so many people. We used to watch you from the time you started reporting, until you got sick. Our prayrers & thoughts are with your family. We'll never forget you! "

From Cris:
"My heartfelt sympathy and prayers go out to all those who knew & loved Melodie. As a stage 3 breast cancer survivor (almost 6 years), I found her battle for herself and others against this disease to be a great inspiration. Having participated the last several years in the Komen Race, and knowing others who used the lifeline known as ABCD, I'm humbled by her selfless courage and quiet dignity in the face of adversity. Although I never had the opportunity to meet Melodie, her well-publicized battle gave me the courage to fight, and helped me to understand that every day was a gift not to be taken lightly. Until there's a cure, I know she'll continue to watch the battle from God's house."

From Ron:
"Melodie was one of the first people I met when I first walked into the WTMJ newsroom -- a very young reporter who was a bit intimidated by the many outstanding reporters and anchors. Melodie was one of the first to walk up to me and say welcome to WTMJ. She was always willing to be a resource for everyone in the newsroom. So talented and so nice to everyone. Over the years, long after we'd both been out of news, she always had the time to catch up on our lives -- especially family. She lived life the way we should -- compassionate and always caring about others."

From Sherry:
"My prayers go out to her friends and family. Finally at peace. No more sickness no more pain."

From Ray Lapine, retired TODAY'S TMJ4 HD photojournalist
"I worked with Mel on several projects at WTMJ. She was smart, fun and a challenge to work with. All good things. She is gone too soon."

From Jill:
"Back in 7th grade, we had to do a project on what we wanted to be when we grew up. At the time, I wanted to be a news anchor, so I called WTMJ and asked to speak with Melodie Wilson. To my surprise, she actually called me back and took the time to answer all of my questions and even took my name to send me a photo to use in my assignment. At the moment, she instantly became my hero, and I have always carried that with me--even 20 years later. She was a wonderful person, and my thoughts and prayers go out to her family and children. She will be missed."

From Tim:
"You were the consummate professional, an anchor who was an inspiration to hundreds of young reporters. You always did your homework and were always fair in your presentation. Your professional and personal life were both an inseparable part of Milwaukee and Wisconsin. Viewers, colleagues, broadcasters, reporters, journalists, and everyone who cares about their community lost a powerful voice and good friend. Rest in peace, knowing the work you started will continue until we find a cure for this horrible disease."

From Jim:
"Melodie Wilson was a staple of the Milwaukee area news landscape and will be greatly missed. She was a total class act and I'm sorry that I never got the privilege of meeting her. My thoughts and prayers go out on behalf of her loved ones."

From "Scott & Terri":
"Just heard the sad news. I remember watching Ms. Wilson on the news when I was a little girl. My family extends our condolences to her family today and to her extended family and former co-workers. Another beautiful angel in heaven now. Rest in peace Melodie."

From Mark McLaughlin, former TODAY'S TMJ4 reporter and colleague/friend of Melodie's
"She was a genuine treasure. Melodie had to rare combination of being dedicated to accurate details and keeping the story in perspective. The same held true in her personal life. She believed in serving others whether it was reporting or educating and supporting women with cancer. Her dedication to others and the philosophy she held so dear will stand her family in good stead and has prepared them for life. Melodie made a difference to her family, friends, co-workers and community. She will be missed. "

From Connie:
"I OFFER MY DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO MELODIE'S FAMILY AND I PRAY THAT ONE DAY SOON THEY WILL FIND A CURE FOR THIS HORRIFIC DISEASE. GOD BLESS YOU MELODIE."

From Dawn:
"My condolences to the family and friends and all who knew here. She certainly was part of my life every evening informing of the world and state events and I trusted her. I also admired her and thought what a good friend she must be to those who knew her personally. She was the best."

From Matthew:
"Melodie Wilson was a consummate professional who raised the bar for television journalism in our community. That same passion she brought to her work fueled her ongoing mission in educating women about the importance of early detection in preventing breast cancer. My thoughts and prayers are with her family. May they take comfort in knowing our community is certainly better for having been touched by Melodie Wilson. May God bless her for her generous spirit. "

From Karen:
"My condolences to the family of Melodie Wilson. She was a true professional. I have been following her journey since the beginning."

From Mary:
"My heartfelt sympathy to Melodie's family. What an inspiration to all fighting cancer or any other dreaded disease. She will be missed. May she rest in peace."

From Kathy:
"My thoughts and prayers for the family of Melodie Wilson, I have always admired her for the great job she did. She will be sadly missed. I have always watched her on channel 4 and was sad when she left. A very professional lady. I lost a sister-in-law to breast cancer and it is one of the toughest things to see such beautiful people go through. She is no longer in pain and may she rest in peace. "

From Debbie:
"First of all, my heartfelt sympathy to her husband and children. She was a beautiful lady with great courage, strength and intelligence and she was a source of strength to others. Having been diagnosed with breast cancer myself I know first hand the type of thoughts that go thru a person mind when told this. Melodie took a bad situation and turned it into something positive when she founded ABCD. May she rest in peace and her memory and work always live on. God Bless her family at this tragic time."

From Julie:
"I was diagnosed with breast cancer 6 months after Melodie was. She was an inspiration ...I told myself if Melodie can get through this, so can I."

From Patti:
"Melodie Wilson was the face on the news when I first moved to Milwaukee. She was one of the many strong, beautiful and admirable women of this city that I have admired over the years. I had never met her but followed the wonderful work she did even during her illness. My condolences to her family and friends and my well wishes to all those suffering from this horrible disease."

From Jan:
"I am so sorry to hear about Melodie Wilson's passing. I was diagnosed with pre-cancerous breast cancer and have been captivated by her story of courage and bravery. She is an inspiration to so many. She's gone through so much with this illness. I'm hopeful that she is at peace now. God bless your family."

From Cindy:
"I moved to Wisconsin in 1989 and had the pleasure of watching a true professional in Melodie Wilson. I also watched her battle breast cancer with integrity and veracity, unfortunately this was a battle that although she fought courageously won in the end. I believe she inspired many who battle this dreadful disease. My thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends who stood by her side every step of the way. God Bless."

From Terri:
"My deepest condolences to the family. I met Melodie when she brought the ABCD Program to Washington County. She indeed was a beautiful person and such a support to women at such a difficult time in their lives. I feel blessed to have known her. She will be missed!!!! "

From Judy:
"We spent many hours together... I watched her for years as a professional woman on TMJ4 giving us the daily news. Later, as her breast cancer became known, I watched her as she met each struggle admirably, caring her family, and always fighting with a smile and concern for others. Now, as I sit here with breast cancer, I can only pray that I can deal with my illness as she did. God bless!"

From Brooke:
"It is sad news to hear of Melodie Wilson's passing. My thoughts are with her family and a special message to her children to stay close and hold on to each other. My mother in law lost her fight with breast cancer in June and I know how hard it is. Find comfort in your family."

From Teri:
"What a loss. She shared her life with us. I pray for her family. Melodie will always be with us."

From Carol
"As a breast cancer survivor myself, I have followed Ms. Wilson's battle with this dreadful disease, always's hoping and praying for her recovery. I am deeply saddened by her passing and send my thoughts and prayers to the Wilson family, the TMJ4 family and our Breast Cancer Family. May Melody rest in peace knowing she ment so much to so many."

From Dick:
"Always a class act...nice lady!"

From Sandy:
"Very sad. She was one of my favs and now away from pain and in the arms of God."

From Diana:
"I have long dreaded hearing this news. She truly was an inspiration, in her career and perhaps moreso after. At least she will now have eternal peace."

From Mark:
"She fought long and hard, a lovely lady, may she rest in peace."

From Kelly:
"Melodie Wilson was the true definition of grace and dignity! She encouraged women to embrace bring a woman and not to fear the things that come along with it. I will miss her and her courage very much. My thoughts go out to her loved ones. Which I am sure is many. You will be missed."

From Libby:
"I want to send all of you my sincere condolences.Melodie was my favorite newscaster!  She was superb in her field. During her illness she was always in my prayers."

From "V":
"I was deeply saddened to hear that Melodie Wilson lost her battle with breast cancer. My thoughts go out to her husband, Wayne Oldenburg, and her children. I know how much they are gonna miss her. I was a fan of Melodie's ever since she first arrived on our television screens in the early 1970s. Not only was Mel beautiful, poised, and intelligent, she was one of the best reporters Milwaukee has ever seen -- especially when she covered politics -- she was fair, honest, and a tireless reporter and a political junkie. After she retired as a television reporter and anchor, she continued to make important contributions to the community and to her foundation, ABCD. She loved her family and she loved life and people. She will be missed by a community she gave so much to over the past 35 years and by all of the people she touched through her foundation. You were one classy lady -- right up to the end! May you rest in peace, Mel."

From Ketil:
"My sincere condolence. My thoughts are with you and your family Wayne at this difficult time. "

From "G and J":
"Oh Melody you were the finest....you have been on our minds for the last few months.....Rest in peace"

From "PWM":
"Melodie Wilson was clearly one of the most intelligent and dedicated broadcast journalists this area has known. She was a genuine asset to the Milwaukee area. Her pioneering work with the ABCD mentoring program is extraordinary. Bless your heart and rest in peace, Melodie. You and your family are in our thoughts & prayers."

From Annette:
"I am saddened to hear of the passing of Melodie Wilson. It was evident she was a fighter and fought hard throughout her illness. It appeared through the years of her illness that she would win the battle. However, that was not to be. She will be remembered as a classy anchor and endearing woman. I loved seeing her and watching her. My sincere sympathy to her husband, children, family and friends. "

From Gloria:
"My thought and prayers are with the family...I always enjoyed Melodie...she will be missed."

From Arron:
"Melodie was always my favorite news anchor. I had the privilege of meeting and being interviewed by her. I was awed at her professionalism and her personality. May the Grace of God be with her friends and family. We will miss you Melodie. Rest now.....your work here is done."

From John:
"Melodie was a great news reporter. She will be greatly missed in the community. My heart goes out to her family, especially her husband and children. She always had a smile on her face. thank you Melodie!"

From Nancy:
"Melodie Wilson was one of the smartest and classiest newscasters I have ever had the pleasure to watch. I grew up in Chicago and moved to Milwaukee in 1984. Always having favored NBC news, I was immediately taken with her incredible style in presenting the news - always professional, yet empathetic when necessary, never, ever sensationalizing stories as is done way too often now. I was saddened when she decided to leave broadcasting, then more saddened to hear of her personal fight against cancer. Yet, she did it with her always incredible style. My sincere condolences to her entire family, but know in your hearts that she is watching over you and loving you always! "

From Julianne:
"So very sorry to hear that Melodie Wilson has passed away. She had a way of connecting with her audience with her professionalism and her winning personality. She was an asset to her community and her profession, and I have missed her presence on local TV news for many years. God bless her, her husband and her children."

From Monte:
"SHE WAS A CLASS ACT. SHE WILL BE MISSED BY ALL. SHE IS AT PEACE. GOD BLESS."

From John/Deborah:
"Our prayers and deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Melodie Wilson. She was a wonderful journalist in this area for many years and she is missed. "

From "C Jones":
"Our hearts go out to the Oldenburg family upon hearing about Melodie's passing. She was my favorite anchorperson when we moved here from Illinois and she had just started going through treatment and was wearing a wig on air. She still looked so pretty and was so professional and full of grace and dignity. I ended up getting breast cancer myself in 2002, and she has and will always be my inspiration as I continue to go through my own breast cancer experience. She was loved and admired by so many people. It was obvious from the news segments about her that we would see from time to time just how much her husband and children loved her. She was such a special person. I was especially touched by the recent segment where she accepted the Silver Circle Award. You will be greatly missed, Melodie."

From Denise:
"I am deeply saddened to hear about Melodie's passing. I was so inspired by her determination and thoroughly enjoyed her reporting on TMJ4. A very sad loss for the community. My thoughts and prayers go out to her family and her friends and co-workers at the station. She made us all better people. Rest in peace Melodie. "

From Kim:
"My thoughts and prayers go out to Melodie Wilson's family and her former coworkers at this time"

From Diane:
"I am so sorry to hear that Melodie passed away. She was one of the reason I switched to Channel 4 news. She will be greatly missed. Her family is in my prayers."

From Kathryn:
"I'm deeply saddened by the loss of Melodie, she showed me that women can be an important part of the news. We are keeping her family in our prayers and I am grateful to have been touched by her journalism. May God gather her close in His arms and comfort her loved ones."

From Twitter@danaranda
"She was my favorite news anchor in Milwaukee during the late 80's while I attended UWM. Smart, original, believable: 1st class."

From Kelly:
"Melodie Wilson was my favorite news anchor growing up as a kid. I remember I even wrote her a letter and she took the time to respond! I thought that was so amazing! My thoughts and prayers are with her family."