Please see the photo I submitted showing Melanie and Lynn Redding tearing-up Elkhorn Slough in a sea kayak.

I would like to add my name to the sentiments written in the recent letter by Kenneth Coale, Mike Foster, and Greg Cailliet, and add a few personal notes of my own. When I came to the Labs as the Director in 1994 there was rebuilding to do, a neighborhood to tame, and a restless faculty and staff chaffing to leave the trailers in Salinas and return to the shores of Monterey Bay. Melanie, a staple of the Labs, was there to brief me, support the cause, and charged ahead on doing what was needed to get the institute rebuilt in Moss Landing, and not somewhere else. This was no easy task, as the Labs needed to be rebuilt on stable land where precious little existed in Moss Landing. The ideal site was a hill with a water tank on it. This was the place to rebuild, but the selection was not without opposition, including some fisherman, neighbors and Native Americans, as the site was considered an aid to navigation, a park and was a Native American burial ground. Then there was CEQA and NEPA to deal with. Melanie, in her positive and proactive way dived into this mess and helped sort out the politics and environmental problems. Her background and education from Moss Landing Marine Labs made her especially competent in tackling the problems at hand.

Melanie was a dedicated public servant and entrepreneur whose actions spoke louder than words. She was one of the strongest supporters of the Labs and intent on having it rebuilt in Moss Landing. She believed enough in the community, and the businesses and educational institutes, that she settled in the village with her family to run a B&B at Capt. Moss’s House, where she contributed untold value to the community. Action by Melanie was a major factor in overcoming what seemed like overarching obstacles to getting the Labs rebuilt. I can attest to the effectiveness of Melanie’s action and strongly feel that without her push the Labs may not have been built, or would have been delayed for a far too lengthy amount of time.

Melanie will be missed. She leaves a legacy of community involvement and dedication that is known for its societal benefits. I wish nothing but the best for Yohn and the twins, and add my support to the family.

I first met Melanie in 1984. I did not know her well but she was part of a group of people who were involved with Moss Landing Marine Lab. I lived with my aunt Dorothy at the time. I eventually moved on and heard about Moss Landing as time went on. Invariably, Melanie's name came up in letters and emails. She emerged from those parties where I met her, to become a leader in the community. Her efforts with the Marine Lab our well known. What I remember most is the transformation of the old house on Moss Landing Road which is now the Captain's Inn. When I knew that house it was in disrepair and housed many students. I heard about Melanie's marriage to Yohn and their purchase of the house. By the time I saw the house again, I was stunned at the transformation. Melanie's efforts were nothing short of heroic.

I returned to Moss Landing last year. As I tried to get re acquainted with the community I contacted Melanie for advice. She gave her advice freely and supported the newsletter and made sure that the Chamber contributed to the lighting contest this year. Her love of the community was inspirational. I came back here to find community and Melanie is an example of how important community is. Her love of Moss Landing is unequalled, and her memory will live on through the legacy of her efforts to improve the environment and bring life and love to the area, with Yohn and her family.

Melanie came to my house with her kids for pumpkin carving and brought energy and enthusiasm. She took photos and even dropped the hard copies by the house so I would have them. I remember her ever present smile. I also remember seeing her at the Inn -- in her blue apron - hugging her kids and making sure all was in order for the guests.

I did not know Melanie as well as others did but I know that her presence will be felt in Moss Landing for years to come. Her children can be very proud of her and I know they will be forever enveloped by the love of people who were impacted by their mom.

Nancy Russell 

Dear MLMLers,

Sad news struck a tough blow to the heart of MLML. We just learned that Melanie Mayer Gideon passed away following a surgical procedure on Tuesday of this week. We donʼt yet know the details of this horrible turn of events, but as we told Supervisor Calcagno, the details do not matter just now. We have lost a champion, an advocate, colleague, a student, an alum, a friend, and a devoted mother, all way too soon and in unexpected tragedy. The recent news has deeply penetrated the labs, our network and the resonated sympathies keep pouring in...we are reeling, and the drums are beating. We wish that there was more comfort in this passing, but for now, there seems to be little beyond shock and our memories. Yet, we want you all to know, that these memories, and our personal interactions with Melanie, have touched us in many personal and formidable ways. Melanie was a true native of north Monterey County, graduated Salinas High School in 1978 and eventually found her way into graduate school at Moss Landing Marine Laboratories in her own backyard. Her thesis involved the “Flowering Plant Recruitment into a Newly Restored Salt Marsh in Elkhorn Slough, California,” advised by Mike Foster, Greg Cailliet and John Oliver. Her thesis research reflected her ʻcommunityʼ approach to life, acknowledging Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve, Ken Moore, Sheila Baldridge, Larry Jones, Preston Watwood, Ken Delopst, Lynn McMasters, Gail Johnston, Dorothy Lydick, George Knauer, Meritt Tuel, Brian Fadely, Peter and Tony Young, Ruby Peterson, Marge Reidpath, Benthic Bubs, Mark Sliger, Keiko Sekiguchi, Mark Silberstein, Frances Cresswell, Steve Horn, her parents and her brother Eric.

Two years following the completion of her thesis, the laboratories were completely destroyed by the 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake, and Melanieʼs trajectory experienced a course correction towards a new kind of restoration: that of the laboratoriesʼ reconstruction. This also launched her career as a permit consultant. She, together with a small cadre of attorneys and other MLML graduates, was the point person for reconstruction strategy. She worked closely, and aggressively, with Directors Martin, Nybakken, Greene, Coale and Harvey, championing every aspect of the Labʼs development, with several formidable accomplishments realized just this last year. For the last 40 years, she has been the girl next door to MLML. There was no one who had more local credibility with our Supervisors, and staff in the County and with the Central Coast Regional Water Board. In the dedicated ways in which she has promoted her family, her business, her community, and her commitment to those who are trying to make a difference in service to their community and to the environment, she has made an indelible and everlasting mark. Many can speak to her accomplishments on the Water Board, on the Chamber of Commerce and in many other local and regional capacities. During reconstruction, there were times (years) when former Director Coale related that he was spending more time with Melanie than he was with his wife. We believe Melanieʼs husband Yohn can probably relate to Melanieʼs capacity for getting the job done, and putting in the necessary time to do so. Her priorities definitely shifted when she began to build a family with Yohn, and we were so joyful of her business success and satisfaction of being wife, mother and business /community leader. It was always a joy to join Melanie for one of her breakfasts at the Captainʼs Inn that she and Yohn owned and operated.

Her love of life and people was always obvious in her smile and loving personality. Her values, love, life, integrity and accomplishments should serve as an example for us all, and will never be forgotten. To Yohn and his family, we offer our deepest sympathies and our utmost support.

Kenneth Coale

Mike Foster

Greg Cailliet

John Oliver

I'm in shock, and terribly sad to hear that (Melanie died).  For those who didn't know, Melanie recently helped MLML with a huge accomplishment - she helped us get approval of the revised MLML Boardwalk with the Monterey County Planning Department.  Most importantly, Melanie's efforts got us final approval of the entire MLML permit - a process she said she had been working on for two decades.  I'm so glad she got to see her efforts to completion, and so sad that MLML has lost such a good friend, alumni, and supporter.  She did care about the MLML community and truly dedicated herself to it.

- Brynn Hooton-Kaufman, Moss Landing Marine Labs