Melinah Rugamas

Melinah “Meli” Rugamas was born in Downey, California on February 15, 1995 to Dolores and Carlos Rugamas. Meli was the middle child of this union, Diana and Vanessa were her sisters – Melinah attended Oak Ridge Elementary School, Townsend Junior High and Chino Hills High. Throughout her school years, Melinah’s bright personality made a lasting impression on her teachers. Meli also had many friends whom she loved spending time with, singing, dancing, going to the movie and shopping.

She was very talented and loved drawing. Meli enjoyed sketching fashion designs and portraits of her favorite celebrities, especially Michael Jackson. Melinah said, “Art has been my passion since I was able to use a pencil for the first time.” Her passion of the arts continued as she planned to move to New York to attend college, majoring in theatre arts. Melinah believed in the Lord and was baptized at an early age. She accepted the Lord as her Savior during the time of her illness. On Thursday, March 29th Melinah made her final transition from the pain of this world to live in peace with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, in heaven forever.

Melinah leaves to cherish her memory: her parents Dolores and Carlos Rugamas; sisters, Diana and Vanessa; grandparent, Alicia N. Arreola and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.