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Melodyann Jahnke
09/17/1959 — 07/22/2001
From Benton, City, WA, US | Born in Spokane, Washington
Melodyann Jahnke
On Sunday July 22nd, 2001, all the flowers in our gardens wept. That was the day we lost our beautiful Earth Angel, Melodyann Jahnke. Melodyann was born on September 17th, 1959, in Spokane, Washington as an unwanted child. Soon after that, Fred and Winnie Paine came forward and said they would adopt that baby as their own. By the time Melodyann passed away, everyone that knew her wanted to be with her and around her. Her love of life was only surpassed by her love for her family and friends.
As a child, Melodyann and her family moved to many places in the Northwest and once to Alaska, finally moving to Benton City where she lived for the last 28 years.
Melodyann took her hobby, a love of gardening, and turned it into a business. She continued to run the Everlasting Flower Farm even after she was diagnosed with cancer in 1996. Finally, complications from the cancer forced her to give up her farming.
When she was not working, Melodyann was up to anything that would enrich her life traveling, camping, fishing, cooking, canning, partying, visiting and, of course, raising her own family which was really number one with her. That was what she really did best; she made a house a home. Her beautiful long hair and her pretty face were only part of her. Her heart and soul and her love for everything and everybody was what made Melodyann the person she was.
Special thanks must be given to Dr. Thomas Rado and his staff, Dr. Robert B. Hopp and his staff, Dr. J. Milton Gaviria and his staff, and the nurses and staff of the 3rd floor medical unit at Kadlec Medical Center.
Fred, Winnie, Louisa, Linda, Diane, Vicki, Jim and Jason all felt so very lucky that we were the ones chosen to take care of Melodyann during this past year as her condition worsened.
Melodyann is survived by her son, Jason; her husband, Jim; her parents, Fred and Winnie Paine; and her brother, Doug Paine, all of Benton City. She is also survived by a large extended family and a large group of friends.
A memorial service will be held at Einans Funeral Home, 915 By-Pass Highway, Richland, Washington on Thursday, July 26th, 2001 at 2:00 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be sent to Columbia Basin College, attention Nursing Program, 2600 N. 20th, Pasco, WA 99301
If these messages are still seen by family. I want you to know how loved she was and she is still thought of every day. Chris Kelly, maid of honor and friend.
My beautiful Aunt, I love you so…..You are an inspiration to me. I love your gusto and and admire your zest for life. Your strong will and love for family showed in your actions every day. I loved sharing the cabin together, camping, partying and walking to the river was so fun,as you could make me laugh. We could stay up all night around the campfire talking. My flowers grew so much better because of you, all the tips you provided sure helped my garden, you were such a natural. I know you will rock on to AC/DC, everytime I hear a song, I know you are doing the air guitar!
I am blessed to be your neice, I know you have found peace and comfort. You are an angel. I know you are with me always, in my heart and in my prayers. I love you.
We did not know MelodyAnn that well, but have heard so much from other family members about her ‘courage’ she had sustained throughout her battle with Cancer.
May she be at peace with God.
And, may God be with her family at this time.
We are the former owners of Dordon’s Flowers. Melody was such a bright spot in our week. She came dispensing wildflowers, hugs and sunshine. Her compassion and caring were extra encouraging through the loss of our late spouses. She had an enthusiasm for living that spread joy and happiness to all those around her. She was magic.
Winnie and family, I wanted to let you know that you are in my thoughts. I met Melodyann a few times thru the years that I worked with you Winnie, and from your stories of both of your kids.I am very sorry for your loss.
It was a pleasure taking care of Melodyann. She would always share knowlegde of her diagnosis and help us learn from her suffering. She shared stories about her son and always listened to my stories. She was a true inspiration.
In deepest sympathy.
Shelly Rollison, RN
MEL—you will never be forgotten! Always loved for your wonderful humor & great spirit of life. I will miss the sprints we did in track & you giving me guff about not wanting to do floor exercises & handing back to you that you did not like the uneven bars. You were a great friend that I will cherish the shared moments of your life. LOVE & MISS YOU !!!!!!!
Just a note to let you know my thoughts and prayers are with you all during this most difficult time. As a nurse I have met many different patients, but none of them have made such a lasting impression as Melody. Her courage and zest for life, even under the most trying circumstances, have made a great impact on my life. It was an honor to be one of her nurses and I will remember her always. God bless each and every one of you.
Sorry to hear of your loss. We are are out of town and sorry we couldn’t be there to support you all. We will keep u in our thoughts and prayers!
Melody, you will never be forgotten…. although I did not get to know you as well as I wished I had, during those times I did get to know you, you always had a smile on your face. Even this one time my mother and I drove by you and you had a huge smile on your face, even when you were driving! = You brighten up every ones day and that is one thing that I hope that I can do when I am older. You were a great role model and you raised the nicest son. God bless you and your family.
Mel – Thanks for being there for me and my sister through all the hard ugly times of high school and adolescents. You made us smile when it was hard to keep a sense of humor. You taught us so many things about not dwelling on the serious stuff. You had have a care-free spirit that sometimes got us into trouble, but I am such a better person knowing you and learning not to sweat the small stuff. I wish I could be there today to wish you farewell on your journey. I missed not seeing you for the last 10 years but you and your family are connected to ours and I know that I will see you again. My faith teaches me that families are forever and I truly believe that. It’s good to know that when I meet you there with our Heavenly Father all of the flowers that you raised will be there and it will beautiful. I have fond memories of our youth so long ago it seems of laughter nailing bottle caps into shoes, tying coats sleeves and putting footballs in them, decorating school lockers on my 15th birthday, hanging out in Sigmund’s parking lot next to the barber shop in down town Benton City when we got kicked out of the park after 10:00. Do you remember the annual Turkey Party you initiated way back when in the Odd Fellows Hall. Everything you did always involved good intentions, making new friends feel at home, making old friends feel at home and enjoying life to the fullest. I am sorry that it was so short. I wish your family well, and to comfort them in their time of need. I pray that they will know how happy you are right now and pain-free. You would want them to not spend too much time grieving for you and to get on with their lives with your life always in their memory but not your death. I love you Mel, and I’m going to miss you. Take Care, Dar
Hello I hope you remember me, I was your neighbor 2 trailors down and I got a divorce from Rick and he and my little girl live there. Cari Lynn. I am so sorry for your loss! what a beautiful gal and I know your son was her idle.. I got reunited with my first love and we married hear in Alaska, I seen where you lived hear. Well God Bless to you all and I am so sorry. Prayers to you all. Betty Volmer my maiden name was FRaley.
Mel, you came into my life when I needed you
most. you showed me how life should be lived,
always going forward. You were my best friend, my
sister and though our paths went different directions
you still have that same special place in my heart.
My heart is heavy right now with missing you, but
I also know how happy your free spirit is up in
Heaven. God Blessed you with so much goodness
to be shared with us, you can’t help but to be
missed in this world. I love you Teres
My dearest Mel,
I see you in every flower, cloud, ripple in the river, star in the sky. The laughter, the joy, the tears we shared brings a smile to my face. Comfort comes in knowing and loving you, Sis. I admire you for your determination in following your dreams and staying true to yourself. The simple things in life brought you the greatest pleasures. Your love for Jim, Jason, your family, friends and life was insurmountable. I loved watching you at the market. Customers gathered around as you generously offered gardening advise and shared your flower preserving secrets. I loved to watch you play with our little Ashley girl. The times at the cabin were so special. The hours spent on the riverbank searching for agates, late evening talks by the fire, early morning blueberry pancakes which you had to teach me how to make!, the taco feeds, and our favorite…cooling our feet in the river and quenching our thirst with a frozen margarita or two. Santa and the rest of the family will miss you at Linda’s annual holiday party, but fond memories of years past will comfort us and keep you near. You taught us a lot Mel. We are thankful you were part of our life.
And I promise you this, everything will be all right. Until we meet again, Love Diane
My dear friend, my heart is so sad. Whenever I look at flowers I will think of you, we both loved nature. When I was able to get back to Benton City we would get together and it was like no time had passed since our last visit. I will miss you like I miss my own sister Diana. My deepest sympathies to your family.
A link to my past is missing, the loss is so great I feel empty inside. Even though we were apart in miles I always knew she was just a phone call away and oh so close in my heart. She was my sister, a sole mate. I knew what she was thinking before she would speak and she knew what I was thinking before I would speak.
Mel always thought of others before herself, so giving and kind. I will miss my dearest friend, sole mate, my Maid of Honor and Godmother of my children. Jim and Jason thank you for the visit to CA. sorry it snowed Our deepest sympathies and love go to you both. Chris, John, Erin and Joe Kelly
My beautiful Aunt, I love you so…..You are an inspiration to me. I love your gusto and and admire your zest for life. Your strong will and love for family showed in your actions every day. I loved sharing the cabin together, camping, partying and walking to the river was so fun,as you could make me laugh. We could stay up all night around the campfire talking. My flowers grew so much better because of you, all the tips you provided sure helped my garden, you were such a natural. I know you will rock on to AC/DC, everytime I hear a song, I know you are doing the air guitar!
I am blessed to be your neice, I know you have found peace and comfort. You are an angel. I know you are with me always, in my heart and in my prayers. I love you.
We did not know MelodyAnn that well, but have heard so much from other family members about her ‘courage’ she had sustained throughout her battle with Cancer.
May she be at peace with God.
And, may God be with her family at this time.
We are the former owners of Dordon’s Flowers. Melody was such a bright spot in our week. She came dispensing wildflowers, hugs and sunshine. Her compassion and caring were extra encouraging through the loss of our late spouses. She had an enthusiasm for living that spread joy and happiness to all those around her. She was magic.
Winnie and family, I wanted to let you know that you are in my thoughts. I met Melodyann a few times thru the years that I worked with you Winnie, and from your stories of both of your kids.I am very sorry for your loss.
It was a pleasure taking care of Melodyann. She would always share knowlegde of her diagnosis and help us learn from her suffering. She shared stories about her son and always listened to my stories. She was a true inspiration.
In deepest sympathy.
Shelly Rollison, RN
MEL—you will never be forgotten! Always loved for your wonderful humor & great spirit of life. I will miss the sprints we did in track & you giving me guff about not wanting to do floor exercises & handing back to you that you did not like the uneven bars. You were a great friend that I will cherish the shared moments of your life. LOVE & MISS YOU !!!!!!!
Just a note to let you know my thoughts and prayers are with you all during this most difficult time. As a nurse I have met many different patients, but none of them have made such a lasting impression as Melody. Her courage and zest for life, even under the most trying circumstances, have made a great impact on my life. It was an honor to be one of her nurses and I will remember her always. God bless each and every one of you.
Sorry to hear of your loss. We are are out of town and sorry we couldn’t be there to support you all. We will keep u in our thoughts and prayers!
Melody, you will never be forgotten…. although I did not get to know you as well as I wished I had, during those times I did get to know you, you always had a smile on your face. Even this one time my mother and I drove by you and you had a huge smile on your face, even when you were driving! = You brighten up every ones day and that is one thing that I hope that I can do when I am older. You were a great role model and you raised the nicest son. God bless you and your family.
Mel – Thanks for being there for me and my sister through all the hard ugly times of high school and adolescents. You made us smile when it was hard to keep a sense of humor. You taught us so many things about not dwelling on the serious stuff. You had have a care-free spirit that sometimes got us into trouble, but I am such a better person knowing you and learning not to sweat the small stuff. I wish I could be there today to wish you farewell on your journey. I missed not seeing you for the last 10 years but you and your family are connected to ours and I know that I will see you again. My faith teaches me that families are forever and I truly believe that. It’s good to know that when I meet you there with our Heavenly Father all of the flowers that you raised will be there and it will beautiful. I have fond memories of our youth so long ago it seems of laughter nailing bottle caps into shoes, tying coats sleeves and putting footballs in them, decorating school lockers on my 15th birthday, hanging out in Sigmund’s parking lot next to the barber shop in down town Benton City when we got kicked out of the park after 10:00. Do you remember the annual Turkey Party you initiated way back when in the Odd Fellows Hall. Everything you did always involved good intentions, making new friends feel at home, making old friends feel at home and enjoying life to the fullest. I am sorry that it was so short. I wish your family well, and to comfort them in their time of need. I pray that they will know how happy you are right now and pain-free. You would want them to not spend too much time grieving for you and to get on with their lives with your life always in their memory but not your death. I love you Mel, and I’m going to miss you. Take Care, Dar
Hello I hope you remember me, I was your neighbor 2 trailors down and I got a divorce from Rick and he and my little girl live there. Cari Lynn. I am so sorry for your loss! what a beautiful gal and I know your son was her idle.. I got reunited with my first love and we married hear in Alaska, I seen where you lived hear. Well God Bless to you all and I am so sorry. Prayers to you all. Betty Volmer my maiden name was FRaley.
Mel, you came into my life when I needed you
most. you showed me how life should be lived,
always going forward. You were my best friend, my
sister and though our paths went different directions
you still have that same special place in my heart.
My heart is heavy right now with missing you, but
I also know how happy your free spirit is up in
Heaven. God Blessed you with so much goodness
to be shared with us, you can’t help but to be
missed in this world. I love you Teres
My dearest Mel,
I see you in every flower, cloud, ripple in the river, star in the sky. The laughter, the joy, the tears we shared brings a smile to my face. Comfort comes in knowing and loving you, Sis. I admire you for your determination in following your dreams and staying true to yourself. The simple things in life brought you the greatest pleasures. Your love for Jim, Jason, your family, friends and life was insurmountable. I loved watching you at the market. Customers gathered around as you generously offered gardening advise and shared your flower preserving secrets. I loved to watch you play with our little Ashley girl. The times at the cabin were so special. The hours spent on the riverbank searching for agates, late evening talks by the fire, early morning blueberry pancakes which you had to teach me how to make!, the taco feeds, and our favorite…cooling our feet in the river and quenching our thirst with a frozen margarita or two. Santa and the rest of the family will miss you at Linda’s annual holiday party, but fond memories of years past will comfort us and keep you near. You taught us a lot Mel. We are thankful you were part of our life.
And I promise you this, everything will be all right. Until we meet again, Love Diane
My dear friend, my heart is so sad. Whenever I look at flowers I will think of you, we both loved nature. When I was able to get back to Benton City we would get together and it was like no time had passed since our last visit. I will miss you like I miss my own sister Diana. My deepest sympathies to your family.
A link to my past is missing, the loss is so great I feel empty inside. Even though we were apart in miles I always knew she was just a phone call away and oh so close in my heart. She was my sister, a sole mate. I knew what she was thinking before she would speak and she knew what I was thinking before I would speak.
Mel always thought of others before herself, so giving and kind. I will miss my dearest friend, sole mate, my Maid of Honor and Godmother of my children. Jim and Jason thank you for the visit to CA. sorry it snowed Our deepest sympathies and love go to you both. Chris, John, Erin and Joe Kelly
Jim and family – I want to offer my condolescences to you and your family – I just got back in town today. Melanie was a beautiful person inside and out and a true inspiration to me. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
I will always remember you and your lovely
flowers, your former neighbor and Master
Gardner
Thanks for the handfuls of memories. Will miss you lots!
Mel was a long time friend too us and seemed
part of the family had so much fun with her when we
went camping we took her along. She and our youngest learned
how to ride the uncicles together. We loved her like a daughter.
r. God be with you . Bill and Annette
You will not know me but I am the Director of the Allied Arts Sidewalk Show in Richland. I remember working with Melody when she had her booth at the show. She was always so very pleasant and enjoyed the show. She would have only good things to say to me and when I needed to be encouraged, I would walk by her booth and she would lift me up. I will miss seeing her at the show. Her herbs and flowers were things of beauty and she was an asset to have around.
Jim,Jason and Family,
Heaven will truly be a better place with Melodyann in it!
Words seem so empty at a time like this… just know that we are to be included in those that loved her very much. She shall always live on in the lives and hearts that she touched!
We’ve only to walk in our garden, and she is there in all the plants and herbs and flowers that she shared with us… how she will be missed!
Our Heartfelt love & sympathy
Larry,Dona & Sons
I came to know Melody when she joined our WSU Master Gardener program in 1989. You can’t help but smile when you think of Melody. She was always so enthusiastic and full of cheer.
Melody was a skilled gardener and we appreciated her special skills in growing flowers. She was always willing and eager to share her knowledge with others.
Melody was like the warm sunshine that helped her flowers grow. Her beauty went beyond her glorious golden hair, her true beauty was in her heart and soul.
I will miss this wonderful, courageous woman, but while my heart aches at our loss, I know memories of her will bring remembrances of her smile, her warmth, and her special spirit.
Guestbook for
Melodyann Jahnke