We were heartbroken to learn about the passing of two beloved members of our Freedom family last weekend in unrelated circumstances. Viktorija Randall, one of our talented mortgage loan originators, passed away on January 1, and Melin Menas, branch officer of our Main Street Springfield branch, on January 2. The sudden loss of these valued members of our team has left us reeling.
Both of these young, wonderful women were not only colleagues to all of us, but also incredible mothers, friends, mentors and often times the go-to people for so many of us at Freedom. They lit up the room with their bright smiles, big personalities and kind hearts.
To say we are devasted does not adequately express the depth of our grief. Vika and Melin were true professionals in their respective fields at Freedom Credit Union, serving our members, employees and communities with pride. Both had important roles and touched so many lives in a myriad of different ways. They were the faces of Freedom to countless members.
Vika and Melin were deeply loved and will be profoundly missed by the entire Freedom family as well as their own families, including the young children they leave behind, to whom we extend our deepest, most heartfelt condolences.
Honoring Vika
Vika partnered with innumerable families to finance the homes of their dreams over the course of the 17 years she was with us. A native of Lithuania, where she received her first bachelor’s degree, she moved to the United States in 2000 and completed her second degree at Westfield State University. She was incredibly proud of her beautiful daughters, Aleksandra and Anastasiya, whom she shared with her devoted husband of 18 years, Jason. You can read her full obituary here.
Vika’s family will be holding a private service this Thursday. While they appreciate the outpouring of support they have received, they ask that no meals or deliveries be sent to them. An account is being established to benefit Vika’s daughters. If you would like to donate, you can do so here online, at any of our branches, or by mailing a check with “For Viktorija’s Girls” in the memo line to Freedom Credit Union, PO Box 3009, Springfield, MA 01103.
Honoring Melin
Melin helped countless families reach their financial goals through her financial literacy education and counseling over her nearly 15 years with us.
Melin’s services will be this Saturday, January 8, at Nowak Funeral Home, 15 Ludlow Avenue, Indian Orchard. Visiting hours are 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM, followed by a funeral service at 12:00 PM. All our branches will be closed on this day to allow our team to attend or honor Melin in their own ways. A GoFundMe account has been established for Melin’s family. If you would like to donate, you can do so here.
If you are not able to attend the services in person, you can do so here with the virtual live stream.
With Gratitude
When we lose special people who have touched our lives, as Vika and Melin did, we are reminded to cherish every day. We extend our deepest, most heartfelt condolences to Melin’s and Vika’s families and friends. We are grateful for the time we had with these amazing women, who will live on in our hearts and minds. Thank you to all our members for your support and kindness during this challenging time for our Freedom family.