what doesn’t kill you Makes you stronger
think plEasant thoughts
you can’t outrun your probLems
be responsible for your Own actions
Don’t 'should' on anybody
if you can’t say anything nIce, don’t say anything at all
Eat your vegetables
The life of Melodie Henderson has been characterized by quiet strength. Her childhood was full of change and uncertainty, yet she stood in the gap and did everything she could to ensure a stable life for her own three daughters. She was born in Los angeles, California to Roger and Rosalie Monson. As a child, she loved swimming, plaing with her dolls, singing, dancing, horsebackriding, and, of cours, crocheting! She graduated from Alhambra High School in 1963, after having changed schools 19 times throughout her childhood. The only daughter of four children, and becasue of her mother having been ill so much of her childhood, Melodie remembers playing with her brothers, all of whom she loved and appreciated deeply. She was also the only granddaughter of nine grandchildren and had so many fond memories of time spent with all the cousins together as well. her father, who wasn't quite sure how to raise a little girl, would often allow her to stay with her Grandma Meme. After his death when Melodie was 14 years old, she attended a girls' boarding school for a year.
Having married and started a family early on, when the marriage didn't work out, Melodie found herself a single mother of two young daughters, whom she was determined to raise and support. She got a job with Los Angeles County as a Clerk Typist. She was a faithful employee who believed in a "job well done." Her commitment to excellence led to promotion after promotion until she achieved the position of "Procurement Officer" which she held until she retired after over 25 years of service. She also made lifelong friends of her closest coworkers.
On April 3, 1971, Melodie married Dennis Van Henderson before an intimate gathering in the home of close friends. Daisies adorned Melodie's hair and Dennis' lapel. In the family, daisies came to be the symbol of Melodie's demure yet stunning beauty! Along with Dennis, Melodie raised their two daughters, Rose and Sylvia and rejoiced in the birth of their third daughter, Holly while living in Lynwood, CA. The couple worked very hard and saved enough money to buy their own home in Lakewood, CA in 1975.
At home, Melodie was industrious, keeping up on the workings of a busy household. She and Dennis saw to it that their family had ample opportunity for fun with many excursions, day-trips and camping trips. Melodie loved beautiful places such as forests, mountains and beaches. As a family they camped all over California from the Sequoias to the Big Sur coastline to the San Bernadino Mountains. When she and Dennis retired, they relished the times they could now spend together RVing along the California coast and "hanging loose" in Hawaii. They took many trips to Hawaii, but their favorite island was Kauai. Here is a little known fact about Melodie: long before she ever thought she would vacation in Hawaii, she became quite the Ukulele player! Not one for the limelight, however, her concerts were a rare delight to her family and friends.
In 2005, she and Dennis moved to their lakeside home in Floral City, Florida, of which she recently said, "This feels more like home than any other place I have lived." She loved the beauty of the mossy tree-lined lake which their house overlooks and the wonderful variety of wildlife that visited their property everyday. In her last days she was still able to take rides on their boat. She would soak it all in and marvel at the fact that Heaven would be even more beautiful! Her family named a cove in the lake after her: "Sweet Melodie Cove." Florida life also afforded Melodie one of her great loves: gardening. She had always kept house plants with the greenest of thumbs, but not long after moving to Floral City, she discovered the Floral City Garden Club. She even won the award for "Most Variety" in her garden. She also made many dear friends of the ladies in the club. Another of Melodie's favorite things was crocheting! She crocheted the most delicate and intricate patterns of doilies, tablecloths, runners, hats, baby booties and, of course, blankies. Almost all of her creations were given as gifts to her daughters, grandchildren, friends, neighbors and coworkers. She also crocheted countless caps for troubled girls in her community. Melodie did beautiful needlepoint and embroidery. All of her works were exquisitely crafted, but to convince her of that was another thing!
Another of Melodie's great loves and, certainly, her biggest comfort was the Word of God. Beginning as a child and continuing throughout her life, she studied the Bible everyday. She loved attending Ladies' Bible class in California at Los Altos Church of Christ, where she bonded with so many wonderful ladies, who have kept in touch with her over the years. Even in her last days, one of her favorite times of day was her morning devotional, which she was able to share with her daughters up until the very end. Her daughter, Sylvia, would read scriptures to her, knowing her mother would want to hear from God's Word and be reminded of God's love and goodness everyday. Her love for Jesus deepened over the years, ultimately declaring him to be her "Rock."
A favorite devotional of hers included this quote:
"My power flows most freely into weak ones aware of their need for Me.
Faltering steps of dependence are not lack of faith;
they are links to My Presence."
It is based on Jude 1:24-25
"To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you
before his glorious presence without finding fault and with great joy--
to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and
authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages
now and forevermore! Amen."
This quote was particularly comforting to her as her body was faltering. As much as it pained her to lose independence, she accepted each step with grace and dignity. She often said she felt as though God were giving her a great big hug and that she felt such profound peace. She prayed for other who were suffering as well that they would fell the peace she felt. Even through her own suffering she could be heard on the phone comforting others who had called to comfort her.
Those who remain to cherish fond memories of her:
Husband, Dennis Henderson of Floral City, FL
Daughter, Rose Rosenthal and her husband, Mike, of Los Alamitos, CA
Daughter, Sylvia Fletcher and her husband, Don, of Tega Cay, SC
Daughter, Holly Wilcox and her husband, Kristian, of Tyrone, NM
Grandson, Christian Fletcher
Granddaughter, Elizabeth Fletcher
Granddaughter, Abigail Rosenthal
Granddaughter, Hannah Rosenthal
Granddaughter, Anastasia Rosenthal
Grandson, Jonathan Rosenthal
Granddaughter, Kristina Wilcox
Grandson, Devan Wilcox
Brother, Douglas Monson of Medford, OR
Brother, Thomas Monson and his wife, Jan, of Medford, OR
Cousin, Royce Lynn Wilkerson and his wife, Sue, of Thailand
Cousin, Benjamin Botiller of Long Beach, CA
Cousin, James Botiller of Coto de Caza, CA
Cousin, Ed Botiller and his wife and their children, of Medford, OR
Cousin, Vincent Botiller of Las Vegas, NV
Nephew, Jeff Molnar, his wife, Taunya and their children of Medford, OR
Nephew, James Monson of Medford, OR
Niece, Sarah Monson and her daughter, Dannika, of Medford, OR
Nephew, Steven Lenz, and his wife, Danielle and their son, Michael of Yucca Valley, CA
Friend, Leslie Hughes and her husband, Michael of Lancaster, Texas
Those with whom she is now gathered:
Father, Roger Monson
Mother, Rosalie Monson-Baxter
Grandmother, Amelia Avery
Nephew, Matthew Monson
Nephew, Michael Lenz
Brother, Richard Monson
Cat, Boo
Melodie's request to those who wish to remember her is simply to recall all the good memories and share them with each other.
She loves you all and prays for God's peace in your hearts.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the National Forest Foundation.
"Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth."
-Jesus
