Phyllis Marie Melendez

Phyllis Marie Melendez, died early Sunday morning on November 23, 2025. She was 62 years old. We are her two children: Josh Melendez and Johanna Melendez. Her husband, Mike Melendez died in 2020 due to Covid.

Our Mom will be missed by many. Everyone loved her outgoing personality, tough attitude and her relentless faith in God.

Phyllis was raised in Maywood, California. She was the youngest of 5 children and was the only girl. She grew up in the original Victory Outreach church led by Pastor Sonny Arguinzoni. This experience in church is what later led to leading her whole family to God.

In high school she played 3 years varsity tennis and was ranked top 500 in the nation for doubles!

She was never one to take the easy road and she didn’t take no for an answer. She paved her own way when our family moved to Orange County in 1993. Our Mom started a new career as a museum coordinator, first for Bowers Museum in Santa Ana and then Muchenthaller Cultural Center in Fullerton. She touched many people with her passion, hard work and dignity.

Her later life was filled with work by day and church by night. She participated in worship and Bible studies. She made many friends through church events and volunteering.

In 2014, our Mom fully overcame breast cancer. This experience was both eye opening and empowering for her. She never lost her faith.

She has two grand daughters, 11 and 7 years old, who she loved dearly. She always loved seeing their art and encouraged them to explore their creative side.

In 2024, our Mom was diagnosed with liver cancer. The cancer progressed quickly and eventually took her life on November 23, 2025.

We are so grateful she is no longer in pain. We know she is much happier to be reunited with our Papa, her husband, Mike.

Services are scheduled for 11 AM on Saturday December 13 at Victory Outreach Church in Santa.

Service will also be streamed on the Victory Outreach Santa Ana Youtube channel:

https://youtube.com/@victoryoutreachsantaana6623?si=7ZbKvtE7KkoLmUai