Melissa Ione Gardiner McCollister

Born on June 3, 1928, in Pasadena, California, Melissa was the youngest of six children. In school, she enjoyed sports, tennis most of all. After high school she became a secretary before marrying George (Bud) Maxwell McCollister II on June 3, 1948. She and Bud welcomed their first son, George, followed by Cynthia a year later, then after a few years, Paul and Melinda, and finally Scott.

Her main focus in life was being the best wife and mother she could be. She was way ahead of the health food movement, providing healthful foods for her family through reading books and cooking recipes by Adele Davis and others. She helped type her children's term papers, and encouraged each one to do their best in school and choose a career that would make them happy. The family went on many camping trips and vacations, including a 3-week cross-country trip. Melissa would often enjoy accompanying Bud on business trips in the U.S. as well as Europe and Japan.

She also loved tending her rose garden, going on long evening walks with Bud, embroidering, bowling, taking accounting classes, and working as parish administrator at her church for over a decade when her children were old enough. Later she enjoyed painting nature and rustic scenes, which quickly became family treasures.

When it was time for Bud to retire, they moved from Claremont to beautiful Pacific Grove, California, in 1990. For 34 years together they enjoyed the beautiful scenery, long walks along the beach, and a slower pace of life now that all the children were out of the nest. They enjoyed frequent visits by their children and grandchildren, as well as travels to Europe and Mexico with family and friends. Melissa served along with Bud as a docent and usher at St. Mary’s by-the-Sea Episcopal Church.

Melissa was preceded in death by her father, Otis John Gardiner; mother, Carolyn Melissa Gumaer Gardiner; brothers Robert, Adelbert, John, Norman and sister Josephine.

Melissa’s memory will be cherished and kept alive by her husband, Bud, and their children: George and his wife Rose of Leawood, Kansas, Cynthia and her husband Tom of San Francisco, California, Paul and his wife Ana of Lakewood, California, Melinda and her husband John of Castro Valley, California, and Scott and his husband Cyle of Fox Island, Washington, along with six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.