Beloved wife of 44 years, mother for 42, gigi for 11, sister, friend, teacher for life. While she left us too soon, her enormous impact on her family, her students, her friends, and anyone she met throughout her 63 years on earth, will go on for eternity. 

 Melanie grew up the third of four children, born in Mobile, Alabama and later relocating to Sacramento, California. At the age of 18, she met what would become her husband of 44 years, Jack Schofield. At the time, he was a lieutenant in the United States Air Force. They were married on May 25, 1977, in California, and together they conquered the world as he rose the ranks to a Colonel in the military. They called many places “home” over the years; living in California, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Germany, Virginia, Utah (again), Nevada, and Alaska, eventually retiring in Henderson, Nevada with a treasured summer cabin in Island Park, Idaho. They went on to have four children; Alana, 1978; Jack (Jake), 1982; Colton, 1989; and Mackenzie, 1991. 

 She had several different roles throughout her life. Aside from being an incredible wife, mother and gigi (as she was “too young” to be called grandma), she was a role model to military wives at bases across the globe. Melanie could sew and hang new curtains in a home faster than most could unpack. She treasured her time as a military wife and made countless memories and lifelong friends along the way. She had many creative talents and interests, a keen eye for color and decorating, and a knack for pulling “it” together – whether a new house, holiday dinner for 14, or a perfectly themed class for her widely praised and highly sought-after “Mommy and Me” program (later renamed “Together Time Playgroups”). She had an uncanny way of creating a connection with toddlers and parents alike throughout the Las Vegas valley, many of whom continued to keep in touch with Ms. Melanie 20+ years after they were in her class. 

 Melanie had a warm personality and witty (albeit at times a little inappropriate) sense of humor, and deeply cherished all her friendships. At one point, she had tens of thousands of followers on her Instagram account dedicated to her English Cream Golden Retrievers, Staley and Willow. From 3-hour lunches to afternoons of mahjong, she knew how to have fun and continued to do so all the way till the end.

Melanie enjoyed her Idaho community, too. 

For the better part of 30 years, Melanie would spend summers in Island Park, Idaho, enjoying the cooler weather, amazing views from the backyard, and, her favorite, the sound and smell of summer rain. She was a longtime member of the Island Park Ladies Club, which she cherished and looked forward to hosting or attending their many functions. She valued her time with family at the cabin, a legacy to be honored by her children, grandchildren, and future generations. 

 To her family, her greatest role was that of matriarch. She loved her family fiercely and would do anything or be anywhere to support each of them. Her children all grew up happy, healthy and abundantly loved. Melanie would start planning for Christmas each year before it was officially summer and always knew how to throw an amazing party. However, while presentation was everything and details made the difference, she never shied away from getting messy with her grandchildren. She always had a freezer full of cookies waiting to be decorated, a picture book ready to be read, or a bottle of bubbles to go. Words can’t capture the amazingness that was Melanie Schofield. 

 After a four-and-a-half-year battle with metastatic renal cell carcinoma, Melanie passed on July 1 in her sleep under the care of doctors at MD Anderson in Houston, Texas, and in the company of her husband and four children. She will be eternally missed. 

 Melanie is proceeded in death by her mother, Wilda Mae Grace (1929 - 1967), stepmother, Doris Grace (1923 – 2016), father, James Jarvis Grace (1923 - 1979) and mother-in-law Barbara Schofield (1933 – 2002). She is survived by her husband, Col. Jack C. Schofield (Ret.), her children Alana (John) Kohl (42), Jake (Mary) Schofield (39), Colton (Jillian) Schofield (31) and Capt. Mackenzie (Jennica) Schofield (30), and grandchildren Rylin (11) and Hudson (9) Kohl, Scarlett (3) and Bridger (9 months) Schofield, Wyatt (1) and Brooks (3 months) Schofield, and those who have yet to be born, as well as her elder sister Saundra Grace, siblings, nieces and nephews. Per her wishes, a private service was held with immediate family members followed by her cremation. A celebration of life event in her honor will be held in Las Vegas in September for family and friends.

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