Melanie Lewis

Melanie Gail Lewis passed away in her home on July 25th, 2024. She was born to Charlotte and Gordon Foster on October 10, 1951, in Springfield, MO. Along with her two older brothers, George and Mark Foster, the family moved to Flagstaff, AZ in 1957, where she spent the remainder of her youth. While completing her Bachelor of Science degree in Recreational Therapy at the University of Utah, Melanie met the love of her life, Dan. Melanie and Dan were married in Park City, UT, in a dual religion ceremony to honor her Methodist, and his Catholic upbringing. Their life’s journey took them to South Dakota, where their two children, Emily and Travis, were born. Her children were always her pride and joy. The family moved to Wyoming, Montana, and finally to Albuquerque, New Mexico, in 1986.

From the time she was a pre-teen, Melanie embraced being of service to others, and never tired of giving her time and talent. Most of her employment reflected this spirit of service as well. Whether it was participating in 4H, being a lifeguard and teaching swim lessons, working as a ski instructor, or being on staff at The Girl’s Club, helping others was always her goal. As a volunteer, she gave her time to such things as being a room mom at her children’s school, working Vacation Bible School, being an officer in her beloved PEO, assisting with childcare at the Alpha program at church, taking a good friend to water therapy for years, and even being the “secret partner” to Dan in his work teaching catechism.

Melanie was a gifted storyteller, able to recount with humor and detail, the many escapades of her early years with her husband – like the time the gas station set their car on fire, or their many camping adventures. In her younger years, Melanie was an avid outdoorswoman, going camping regularly with her husband, and taking a well-stocked camp kitchen, and a dish full of brownies. Winter skiing provided her with immeasurable joy. Drives up into the mountains and trips to see the fall Aspen trees were her great pleasures in her later years. And the Aspens loved her too, because a whole grove of them grew in her own backyard!

Affectionately known as Grammy, Melanie was a kind, supportive, and creative grandmother for her seven grandchildren – Wyatt, Charlotte, Benjamin, Gideon, Malachi, Rebecca, and Adam. Melanie was especially gifted at listening to and counseling her grandchildren with wisdom and empathy. She loved guiding and educating her grandchildren on any number of subjects and was always on the lookout for fun projects and inspirational teaching tools. Melanie used her tremendous artistry and skill at quilting to create blankets and wall hangings for her grandchildren (and many others) to treasure.

Melanie had a great many interests, but quilting, sewing, and puzzles were her favorite pursuits. She also loved playing board games with her family and had quite the competitive streak in her. She spent valuable and treasured time with friends as part of her book club, quilting group, and Bible study group.

Melanie’s faith and relationship with God was integral in her life’s journey. God and family were always at the heart of everything she did. Many an acquaintance would say that she was the nicest person that they ever met. Melanie was completely invested in the well-being of others. You could always count on Melanie to check in on you, to keep her eye out for items you might need at the grocery store, and to ask you how your important doctor’s appointment went. She was a fountain of knowledge, she was the ‘produce-whisperer’ with an incredible knack for finding the best produce and knowing when it was ready to eat. She was an amazing chef. She loved to plan and create holiday memories with Easter egg hunts, water-balloon fights, Christmas traditions, and month-long birthday celebrations. The infinite small, kind gestures with which she showed her love made an indelible mark on everyone she knew and will not be soon forgotten.