Passed away on January 23, 2011. Diagnosed with cancer nearly six years ago, she lived a glorious life. She climbed Mt. Whitney, hiked the high country of Yosemite, completed a 500 hour yoga program, and taught yoga at the Wellness Community. She provided joy and peace to all she knew and many she didn’t. She was a loving wife and mother to her husband John and sons Nicholas (Jessica) and Jacob and son by another mother Joey West. Melodie served as president and board member of the Desert Botanical Garden, board member of the Nature Conservancy, and was a member of the Garden Clubs of America. She believed in preserving our environment in a way that all would enjoy its beauty and serenity. She is survived by her husband, sons, mother Joanne Toulouse, brother Kim Toulouse (Leslie), Kelly Toulouse (Dawn) and nieces and nephews. Service will be held at the Brophy Chapel, 4701 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85012, at 3:00 P.M., Sunday, January 30. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donation be made to the Desert Botanical Garden, 1201 North Galvin Parkway, Phx., AZ 85008 or www.dbg.org/membership-support/make-a-donation
Angie Garfield
John – I am so sorry to hear about the passing of Melodie. Know that you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Brian English
John:
I am deeply saddened by your famiy’s loss. You have been a good friend throughout the years, making my family’s transition to Arizona a smooth one. I wish you, Nick and Jake brighter days ahead.
Sincerely, Brian
Nancy Schoolman
Dear John,
I am very sorry to hear about your wife. Please derive what comfort you can from knowing you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Please take care.
– Nancy Schoolman
lewis Doug Johns
John, i am so sorry for your loss, my prayers and heart are with you. Thinking of you,
Doug Johns
Lansing, Mi.
John C. Ashe
Dear John and Family — How blessed you all are to have had such a wonderful wife and mother. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time of great sorrow. God bless Melodie and peace be with you all. Your friend, John Ashe
Jeril Benedict
Know that our prayers are with and for you and your family.
Jeril Benedict
Dennis & Cathy Blair
John, Nick & Jake,
We are so sorry to hear about Melodie’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Paul Jacobsen
John,
This is extremely sad news. Just be aware that distanst and time does not shake long established friendships and that my thoughts and prayers go out to you and your sons.
Mrs. Joan Astuno
Dear John, Nick and Jake,
Our hearts are filled with sadness at the loss of Melodie. She was a remarkable woman!
I have many great memories of our tennis days together! One of the last doubles matches we played together was on court 1 for ACC against the Wigwam. We had so much fun- things came together and the victory was sweet. She especially enjoyed winning. Her decision to move on to yoga was a good one, but we missed her on the courts.
I always appreciated Melodie’s interest in my life and our children’s lives, including Jimmy (Brophy ’03). I know how she treasured all of you her family, she spoke of you with such love and earnestness.We swapped parenting stories and cheered each other on many times.
May the Lord comfort you with his companionship and love for you in the days ahead, for we know that those who belong to Christ have experienced victory over death.
Blessings to you,
JIm and Joan Astuno
Kyle Oesterle
John,
My deepest condolences on your family’s loss. I wish I could find the words that could help ease your loss, but I realize what an impossible task that is. I only had the pleasure of Melodie’s company on one occasion, but that brief meeting left a lasting impression on me.
Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Kyle Oesterle
Clinton Dunn
John, what a shock. I am so sorry for your loss but I know you will dwell on the joy and energy Melodie brought to the people around her. Our prayers are with you and your family. God bless you in your time of sorrow and hurt. Please call on me if there is anything I can do for you.
Tino Ferrulli
Hi John,
I just wanted to offer my deepest condolences on your loss of not only your beautiful wife, but also your best friend. My prayers are that you find comfort in all the memories you both created.
My Very best John, and again…. I am sorry.
Tino
Geni Bennetts and Patricia Tuck
John:
Words cannot express my thoughts for your loss of your wonderful Melodie.
We have never forgotten the wonderful tour of the Desert Garden that Melodie took us on the Sunday we were there 2 years ago. Her enthusiasm and love of the gardens was so evident –as was her enthusiasm about everything
Please know that I am thinking of you!
Fondly,
Geni
Gary & Mary Hickel
John and family,
Mary and my heartfelt condolences go out to you all. Melodie’s zest for life and the way she handled her illness was an inspiration to any person and family facing adversity. A remembrance mass will be offered by Mary and me at the Casa.
You all will be in our prayers.
Rita Leaf
John,
You and your children are in my thoughts and prayers. Melodie was a remarkable lady.
Rita
Evelyn Casuga
John and Family,
Please know that thoughts and prayers are with you……
Heartfelt regards,
Evelyn Casuga and Family
Casa Grande
Stewart Larsen
John: I am so sorry to hear of the passing of your wife. My family’s thoughts and prayers are with you in the hope that you and yours feel comforted and are able to deal with this loss. Please accept our sincere condolences.
Stewart Larsen
Linda Nace
Even though I had not seen Melodie in years, I found myself thinking of her often. And we were still talking of her in our tennis circle, wondering how she was doing. This sad news came as a surprise to me. My sympathy goes, out to her family, with prayers of comfort and healing hearts. God Bless, Linda Nace
Neil and Patti Barna
We are so very blessed to have known Melodie. Our prayers go out to John, his children and to the family.
Julie Shackleford
John and Family:
My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. May your memories help you through the days and years to come.
God Bless.
Sincerely,
Julie Shackleford
Sharon (Schweer) Pahl
John, Nick and Jake……I am so sorry for your loss. I will always remember Melodie as a most amazing, positive person! When you all moved from Tree Farm Estates in Salt Lake it was a sad day! I remember how we gave you our crazy child (Amanda) to watch while we traveled to Australia. Melodie took it all in stride and was an amazing caregiver! She was an incredible woman and friend! Heaven certainly has been given a special angel!
Larry and Lynn Thomas
John, We were very sorry to hear about Melodie. We did not know about her cancer. We thought she had fought and won that battle years ago. We will keep you in our prayers. Rest assured, Melodie is with our Lord and at peace. God bless.
Mark and Cindi Sullivan
John,
So sorry to hear about Melodie. We heard about her first encounter through Greg and have thought about it since. Peace be with you and your family.
Michelle Gorel
John,
My condolences to you and your family for your loss. Although I only met Melodie once, I can tell she was a remarkable lady. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Michelle
Jackie Huesing
I had been diagnosed with my own cancer when a kind and caring neighbor introduced me to Melodie. I was struggling with chemo sickness, baldness, pain, and the inability to give to my children as I knew I should and a myriad of cancer related problems. Melodie was a calming force for me. She intuitively understood all my worries.
She unselfishly gave so much to me that I might realize a better future for myself and my family. She understood the unique problems that strong women must face when presented with life threatening illness.
She met with me regularly over lunch, casually yet knowingly guiding me with her timely advice. I will not forget Melodie”s generous and unselfish spirit . Her example will continue to inspire me.
Jackie Huesing
Sue (Doll) Luketich
John, Nick and Jake,
I am very sorry to hear about Melodie. She was one special lady who touched so many people’s lives in such a positive way. She was beautiful on the inside as well as the outside. I feel so blessed to have known her and spend time with her and the three of you, her wonderful family!
My thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this sad time.
Her spirit lives on in all of us.
Joann Lexa (Garrett)
John, Sons & Family,
Melodie & I were classmates at Mamie Towles Elementary, Clayton Middle School & Reno High. I’ll always remember her grace and authentic classyness at the last reunion I attended. My prayers are with you, may God & your family memories comfort you all.
lenn & sandy zazula
Our prayers are with you and your family.
Suzanne (Gregory) Garland
Words can’t express how sorry I am to hear of your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Deanne (Mitchell) King
Dear John and family,
I was so saddened to hear about Melodie. We were best friends in 5th grade when my family and I first moved to Reno. Although our lives took us in different directions I was so glad to catch up with her 8 years ago. I often thought of her over the years and remembered our fun times as young girls playing with our troll dolls and going swimming with her mom and aunt at Bowers Mansion. I LOVED being at their loving home. I will cherish the times we had a girlfriends and my life was blessed by her being in it..
My heart and prayers go out to you and your family during this difficult time.