Marie Eleanor Melendez

Melendez, Marie Eleanor at the age of 83 passed away on Wednesday June 1, 2011. Her son Ken Melendez and her Caregiver Isabel Belgica were at her side and she died at her home for the past 6 years. My Mom died a natural death and she went peaceful. Marie was born on June 6, 1927 in Los Angeles CA. She grew up in Boyle Heights and graduated from Theodore Roosevelt High School in 1944. In 1946 she met Robert Melendez after he was discharged from the U.S. Navy. They married on January 21, 1948 and lived in Roger Young Village. In 1952 they purchased a home in the San Fernando Valley for $12, 000. Located at 9309 Gullo Ave in Arleta, CA. Marie would have 11 children here and raise all of us from this house. Every Sunday our parents would have us go to Church at Mary Immaculate in Pacoima. We grew up in a great working class neighborhood and knew all of our neighbors. We learned to swim at the Arnett's backyard pool, we learned to dance in the London's driveway and got taken to the beach by the McNally's. We did not have much money but our Mom was home when we came home from school. Every Christmas we would bake a lot of cookies and give them to our friends and neighbors. Our Mom used to exercise to Jack Lalanne and she invented 1% milk by having us mix whole milk with powder milk. Robert and Marie had 11 children Paula Alfaro, Robert Melendez, Cathy Cartens, Rod Melendez, Ken Melendez, Marie Cole, Len Melendez, Tom Melendez, John Melendez, Greg Melendez and Annie O'Connor and numerous grandchildren and great - grandchildren. In the late 1960's her husband Robert was unable to work due to an illness and our Mom went to work at a donut shop. We loved it because she always brought us donuts after work. After about 6 months she left the Donut Shop and went to work for the phone company. We were sad - no more donuts. In 1970 our Mom was hired by the County of Los Angeles as a Deputy Clerk 1 in the Courts. In 1983 her husband of 35 years passed away at the age of 56. Our Mom continued to work her way up in the Court system and Retired in 1992 a Deputy Clerk 4. At her retirement party a lot of the Judges that she had worked with were there as were many co- workers and family. After our father's death, our Mom became friends with a long time neighbor Al Halopoff. They traveled together, shopped, would go out to eat or barbecue. They were good friends and looked out for each other. In 2005, her close friend Al passed away and I, at the request of my Mom, sold her house and moved her to Pacific Inn in Torrance. In 2008 Marie would lose a son; Rod passed away after suffering 2 strokes at the age of 56. My Mom lived a long and full life, up, down, sideways and passed away the way she wanted. I will miss her dearly. A gathering of family and friends will be held on Tuesday June 7, 2011 from 5:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. with a rosary at 7:00 P.M. at Rice Mortuary Chapel, 5310 Torrance Blvd. Torrance CA. 90503 (310) 792-7599. Funeral Services will be on June 8, 2011 at 11:00 A.M. at Rice Mortuary Chapel, same location. Lunch Reception will take place at the home of Ken and Leticia Melendez, 1327 Hunt Terrace Harbor City CA. (310) 530-4536 Cell (310) 803-7345. Home is located in Shadowbrook Estates. All are welcome. Burial will take place at San Fernando Mission Cemetery in Mission Hills on Thursday June 9, 2011 at 10:00 A.M.