By Leada Gore
A former Alabama news anchor who worked at stations in Huntsville and Birmingham has died after a battle with acute myeloid leukemia.
Local charities form the Central Florida Pediatric Cancer CoalitionLocal charities form the Central Florida Pediatric Cancer Coalition
“This week, I was driving through Cullman and thought about my old friend. I wondered how she was doing, thought about some of the time we spent together over the years, and never once thought that by Saturday she would be gone,” Jason Simpson, who worked with Riopka in Huntsville and is now chief meteorologist at WVTM 13 in Birmingham, wrote in a Facebook post. “Melissa was a light. There’s no doubt about that. She was always an encourager even when she was discouraged in herself. She poured herself out for her family that she loved dearly, and now she can rest.”
According to News 19, she worked with numerous community groups including the Better Business Bureau and Make-a-Wish.
Riopka left the station in March 22. She is survived by her husband and two children.
