Anonymous
I am deeply saddened to learn of Melodia’s passing. I wish I would have known in time so I could have been by her side during her last days to help comfort her, but I imagine her being just as brave then as she was throughout the years as she faced her reality head-on. She frequently came by my classroom after students were dismissed to talk about her symptoms, diagnosis, prognosis, and feelings. We shared many tears and hugs, but then Melodia’s thoughts and concerns quickly turned to her family and students and how they were and would be affected as her condition progressed. Even when I visited her at KU after her surgery, she was more focused on her family and students. My favorite memory with Melodia is when she and I went to see the Michael Jackson movie “This Is It” and her telling me the story about being invited up to the Jackson 5’s hotel suite when she was a teenager. Melodia was a beautiful soul and I will miss her greatly.