Melinda Wardwell

Melinda Wardwell

Melinda was known for being a true friend: loyal, dependable, and always there when you needed her. Everyone loved Melinda. She had that cool, calm energy that made people feel comfortable, and she never hesitated to stand up for what she believed in or for the people she cared about. Strong-willed and stubborn in the best way, she was a classic Irish woman through and through. Melinda loved decorating for every holiday and filled her home with chotchkies that brought warmth, personality, and a bit of fun into every season.

She wasn’t much of a cook, but she kept everything spotless. If something could be cleaned, she cleaned it. She was an animal lover at heart. Her home always full of dogs, birds, and even horses. Melinda found her real calling later in life as a grandmother. When it came to her grandchildren, she happily did it all. She cooked for them, read with them, taught them to read, and loved helping them discover their creative sides. She never needed big plans to enjoy time with them, just being together was enough.

Melinda met Douglas completely by chance, she ran into him, and it was love at first sight. That random meeting turned into over 40 years together, more than 30 of them as husband and wife. They were best friends and true partners in every sense.

Melinda is survived by her husband Douglas, her children Marie Wardwell and Matthew (Jennifer) Valosen, her grandkids Zoe and Kai, her siblings Nancy (Russell) Bowker, and Tim (Kristyn) Souder, her nieces Jessica (Mike) Hartman and Abigail Souder, along with many close friends and extended family.

Services for Melinda will be held privately.