Melanie Marie Gould passed away in Oakland, California on November 1, 2022.

Melanie was a devoted daughter, caring sister, wonderful aunt, great godmother, and inspiration to friends, neighbors, and acquaintances. She always brought light and love to gatherings of friends and family.

Melanie was predeceased by brothers Paul and Dennis Gould, and is survived by cousins Judy Velardi, Bob Violich, and Suzanne Johnson, niece Emily Gould Sullivan, nephew Daniel Gould, and goddaughters Julie Moreno Hayes, Laurie Moreno, and Mary Nora Moreno.

The daughter of Melvin Gould and Ann Novakovich, Melanie lived most of her life in Oakland. Born and raised in East Oakland, she grew up in her father’s pharmacy on 73rd Avenue. She attended grade school at St. Bernard, graduated from Bishop O’Dowd High School, and later earned a degree from Holy Names College with a double major in social studies and teaching.

Upon graduation from college, Melanie moved to Italy, along with her cousin Judy Velardi (Violich). Initially, she taught 3rd grade at the American Community School of Milan, a K through 12th American education school. She later headed the English language program at a large Italian company outside of Milan for two years, leading instruction on how to navigate the increasingly global business world using American English. Melanie and Judy shared many fond memories in Italy such as the time when they took a Christmas vacation down the Dalmatian Coast to Greece.

After returning to Oakland, Melanie resumed teaching elementary school and subsequently held other jobs, including working in retail and real estate. Her most meaningful work and the source of some of her deepest personal connections came from her work as a Project Coordinator on a Childhood Vaccine Study at Kaiser Permanente's Division of Research. At Kaiser, Melanie made many life-long friends with whom she remained in touch until her death, including her “Virgo” lunch group. Her Kaiser co-workers describe her as a unique and beautiful gem of a person.

Melanie volunteered continuously throughout her life, including campaigning for Mayor Jerry Brown, supporting the Christmas Fair and other events at St Bernard’s Parish, and working to realize the vision of many, many other (mostly Oakland-based) nonprofits.

While she told harrowing stories about her treatment by nuns in grade school and high school, Melanie identified as Catholic, championed progressive Catholic causes, and developed a number of lasting connections with nuns and priests over the years. In addition to local Oakland charities, she supported organizations such as the National Catholic Reporter, a national newspaper reporting on the Catholic Church, and the Sisters of the Holy Cross.

All will remember Melanie for the kind words and gestures — as well as strong opinions — she shared regularly with friends, neighbors, and strangers alike. Melanie’s interactions could range from befriending the unhoused people who helped her park at Trader Joe’s to stopping former First Lady of California Ann Gust while walking her dog in their shared neighborhood to introduce herself and share her opinions about Oakland.

Melanie brought a vibrant spirit to her interactions and delighted in celebrating holidays and birthdays, bringing magic to these special days and events. This includes her famous “yarn balls” and thoughtful gifts, including “experience” gifts before they became popular.

No remembrance of Melanie would be complete without mentioning her free-spirited love of arts and crafts. Over the past few decades she created and sent countless beautiful - usually glittery – collage cards to her friends and loved ones using stamps, drawings, cut-outs and poetic messages. Her artwork, which she often referred to as "art therapy," was unselfconscious, unpretentious, and from the heart. A collection of some of her intuitive artwork was framed and exhibited in a 2018 group show at the Frank Bette gallery in Alameda, California.

We invite friends and family to please share memories of Melanie on this Ever Loved page.  We gathered for a beautiful celebratory mass in Melanie’s name on February 3rd.  The mass was celebrated by Father Steve and Father Thomas Martin at St. Bernard Church in Oakland. 

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