Melanie Jean Thacker Liston

Melanie Jean Bankhead Thacker Liston, 62, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend, passed away peacefully in her Taylorsville home on June 21, 2017. Melanie was born in Paradise, Utah, to Samuel Clair and Mary Jean Bankhead, the second of seven children. She had an idyllic childhood on a small farm where she learned the value of hard work and the importance of family. Melanie graduated from Bountiful High school as a Sterling Scholar and went on to complete her Associates Degree in Secretarial Science at BYU. She married Jimmy D Thacker in the Salt Lake Temple on February 19, 1975, and they settled in Magna to raise their family.

Melanie was a cherished wife and mother and the centerpiece of happiness and love in her home. She tenderly raised six wonderful children, often single handedly, while her husband worked long hours to provide for the family. She was industrious and spent time gardening, cooking, sewing, teaching, and playing with her kids. Home baked bread was a familiar and comforting smell in her home where bottled cherries, tomatoes, and raspberry jam were a staple. She was really good at stretching a dime and lived a frugal life, but a life abundant with love. Melanie’s unshakeable faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ was central in her life. She actively and enthusiastically served the Lord through many callings in Relief Society, Young Women and Primary. She showed genuine kindness to those around her, always with a smile and a gentle voice. She was always willing to help anyone who needed it and worked selflessly to do so.

Melanie was a talented pianist and music lover who taught piano to numerous neighborhood children for over 15 years, giving many a lifelong love of music. She also had a beautiful singing voice and sang with various choral groups and accompanied many other singing groups on the piano. Melanie frequently hummed or sang as she went about her daily work. She could find a song for every occasion and would often sing a line of a song just at the right moment, filling her home with laughter and joy.

Melanie unexpectedly became a young widow in 1996, after her husband Jim passed away in an auto accident. She was left to raise her young children, ranging in ages from 9 to 20 years old, on her own. Melanie showed immense bravery during this time and drew upon her faith in the gospel and inner strength as she rallied her family together. Melanie went on to work at First Security Bank, later Wells Fargo Bank in the Real Estate Department. She was strong, beautiful, and compassionate and lived a life of happiness and generosity.

After her children were raised, Melanie met Garry Liston and found a wonderful companion to spend the rest of her life with. They married on November 28, 2009, and shared many memorable experiences on trips and cruises, attending theater performances, and spending time together at home. Melanie also found joy in tending her garden, planting flowers, and hosting Sunday dinners, and pool parties with her children and grandchildren.

Melanie is survived by her husband, Garry H Liston, her children, Jennifer (Clark) Jones, Jeanette (Nathan) Pack, Jamie (Brad) Newman, Janeen (Brett) Bawden, Steven (Rebecca) Thacker, David(Amanda) Thacker; mother-in-law, Lois Thacker; siblings, Doug (Marilou) Bankhead, Paul (Connie) Bankhead, Gina (Bob) Elder, Karen Bankhead, Dan (Mary) Bankhead, John (Shannon) Bankhead; 16 grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her first husband, parents, and father-in-law, Kenn Thacker.

A viewing will take place on Sunday, June 25, 2017 at Valley View Funeral Home, 4335 West 4100 South, West Valley City, Utah from 5:00-8:00 p.m. Funeral services to celebrate Melanie’s life will be held at the Church, 5233 South 3200 West, Taylorsville on Monday, June 26, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. with a viewing one hour prior.

The family would like to extend special thanks to Dr. Elliott, Dr. Brown, Gabriel, Deidre, Sophea, and all the medical staff at IMC.