Melba Annie Mecham Bailey

Melba Annie Mecham Bailey
April 26, 1929- April 12, 2017 recording

A beautiful Pleasant View sunset preceded the peaceful passing of our Mother, Grandmother, Great-Grandmother, Sister, Neighbor, and Friend on the evening of April 12, 2017. Melba Annie Mecham Bailey was undoubtedly welcomed into the loving arms of her Father in Heaven, her Savior Jesus Christ, and her eternal sweetheart Elmer, not to mention countless family and friends who were lined up to greet her. She was surrounded by family, both seen and unseen as she returned to her heavenly home. Her heart has always been big enough to love one more person, spoil one more grandchild, or serve one more friend. Her desire to love and lift others was of concern to her right up until her final moments and she was loved right back!
Melba was born on April 26, 1929, the 6th of 10 children to parents Leland Henry and Reta Geary Mecham. She was taught the value of work and the importance of family as she grew up on a beet farm in Milton, Utah. Family was and continues to be the center of her world! She has been blessed over the years to enjoy "Brother/Sister" lunches, family reunions at the "Dry Farm", and made a conscious effort to be involved in the lives of her family, extended family, and former classmates. She graduated from Morgan High School in 1947 and served as the Senior Class Vice-President. She helped organize and attended annual reunions for her small group of classmates and remained close friends throughout her life. Melba loved knowing, supporting, and sharing the life events of cousins, nieces, nephews, and childhood friends. These relationships are so dear to her and she made it evident in her daily life.
Melba married Elmer Kerr Bailey in the Salt Lake City Temple on September 21, 1949 in a very special ceremony performed by Elder Harold B. Lee. Together they were blessed with 4 children- Gloria, Janet, Brent, and Rob and at the time of Elmer's passing in 2012, they had enjoyed 62 years of loving companionship. Melba insisted on being the primary caretaker for her dear husband and rarely left his side in the last year of his life. Such devotion was second nature to her! She revered and cherished her role as a wife and mother and went to great lengths to create a home and family filled with love, fun filled memories, and lessons taught by example.
She has been blessed to live a short distance from all 4 of her children and they, along with their families (20 grandchildren and 40-almost 41-great grandchildren), have been able to gather together often and enjoy time doing some of the things she loved most. Among these cherished activities and family traditions are: picnics, Sunday drives, ice cream on the patio, trips to Bear Lake, Easter Egg Hunts, birthday parties, Thanksgiving Dinners, Christmas celebrations, a good "weenie roast", vacations with children and grandchildren, graduations, school programs, ball games, sleepovers, gardening, shopping, baby blessings, baptisms, and of course- just visiting! Our Mother and Grandmother infused everything she made in her kitchen with love! We truly have never been able to master her ability to bake to PERFECTION! Our favorites include her homemade jam, brownie cake, her canned goods-especially her peaches, the perfect egg sandwich, and of course her famous homemade rolls. Many memories have been made while spending time with her in the kitchen not only learning how to cook and clean, but more importantly how to live!
Melba taught others, not by words, but through example. She faithfully served family and friends by giving of her time and talents with no thought of herself or of anything in return. She has the ability to see the good in others and in every situation and has a gift for bringing out the positive in all things. She mastered the "soft answer" and refused to find fault in others.
Each year she took countless hours to find the perfect birthday card for her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, extended family, and friends. These cards have been treasured extensions of her love and she strived to make sure that all those who she loved KNEW IT!
Melba never turned down an adventure! She recently traveled to Hawaii, she has survived rides at Disneyland, enjoyed sleigh riding, tubing, boat rides, hiking, zip lining, airplane rides, and enjoyed traveling throughout the world during her life. She truly had a fear of missing out! She never wanted to miss an opportunity to make a memory so she took chances often and enjoyed every minute!
The Gospel of Jesus Christ guided her earthly journey. She was most certainly a covenant "maker" and a covenant "keeper". She served faithfully in her many church callings including Relief Society President, Stake Relief Society Board Member, Young Women's President, and a Temple Ordinance Worker. She also extended herself in community service and treasured her time as a volunteer at McKay-Dee Hospital for 17 years and remained a member of the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers. Her testimony of her Savior Jesus Christ and His Gospel have been engraved on her heart and she lived the principles and shared them often with those around her.
Last fall when this sweet and strong woman was given the diagnoses of not 1, but two kinds of cancer, she immediately made a decision to forgo any evasive treatments and spend her remaining time with her family. She continued to share moments of joy and memory making with her family, and although the effects of age, and this disease took a toll on her body, she GRACIOUSLY endured her challenges with little complaint and reliance upon her Testimony and Family to see her through the tough times. Her display of courage, willingness, and humility has been inspiring to those of us who love her. She was true to character and continued to be an example of how to handle the "hard" in life with a smile, recognizing blessings, and still thinking of the welfare of others. Such things seemed to bring her the greatest comfort and she never gave in to the disease. She graciously battled what was necessary and returned with honor!
Melba is fortunate to have so many friends and family who love her dearly and they couldn't seem to get enough of her! But our family has been truly blessed to know that our Mother and Grandmother has been cared for and loved by 2 very special granddaughters. Shawna Bailey Lee and Megan Schofield gave of themselves and their ability to provide quality care around the clock to make sure that their Grandmother's every need was met in the kindest, most loving way. Cherished memories have been made while offering such care and Grandma not only took pride in knowing that they were her caretakers, but she felt such peace and comfort knowing her sweet granddaughters cared for and honored her within the walls of her own home. As a family, we express our sincere love to you Shawna and Meg for being nothing short of inspirational in your delivery of care! The family also wishes to recognize and thank Dr. Chad Jensen for his level of professional and loving care over the years to both of our grandparents, but especially to Grandma; she truly loves her doctor!
Melba is survived by her children Gloria (Terry) Rogers; Janet (John) Malmberg; Brent (Kris) Bailey, and Rob (Jodi) Bailey; 20 Grandchildren, 40 Great Grandchildren with 1 on the way; 2 brothers Geary (Saundra) Mecham; Verl (Deanna) Mecham; Sister-in-law Beth (Norm) Shaw. She was greeted on the other side of the veil by her parents, brothers, sisters, friends, and her sweet Elmer and a special great grandson Jaxen who she couldn't wait to meet!
Melba loved the missionaries! If you wish to honor her memory in a way that would mean so much to her and bless the lives of others in return, donate to the LDS Church Missionary Fund in her name, and perhaps serve someone who doesn't expect it!
Melba, Mother, Grandmother, Great Grandmother, Sister, Aunt, Neighbor, and Friend-The love we have for you is constant and unwavering! We will most certainly remember you when the sun rises, when we see a star, when we see roses and rainbows, and of course butterflies. Our hearts will be bound by eternal promises that we are a forever and ever family and that kind of enduring family love began with you! We are blessed to be a part of your legacy and will continue to emulate you together as a family! Send butterflies Grandma, send butterflies.
Services for Melba will be as follows: A viewing will take place Monday April 17, 2017 at Myers Mortuary 845 Washington Blvd. from 6:00-8:00 pm. Funeral Services will begin at 12 noon on Tuesday April 18, 2017, with a viewing prior to services 10:00am-11:30am at the Pleasant View 17th Ward Chapel located at 900 West Pleasant View Drive, Pleasant View, Utah. Interment will be in Ben Lomond Cemetery 526 East 2850 North, North Ogden.
VisitationMyers Mortuary - Ogden
100 Monroe Blvd.
Ogden, UT 84404
April 17, 2017
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
ServicePleasant View 17th Ward
900 W. Pleasant View Drive
Pleasant View, UT 84414
April 18, 2017
12:00 PM
CemeteryBen Lomond Cemetery
526 East 2850 No
North Ogden, UT 84414
April 18, 2017