Melanie Anne VanHorn

We are deeply saddened to announce the death of our beloved daughter, sister, aunt, and friend, Melanie Anne VanHorn. Melanie passed unexpectedly in her sleep on December 18, 2023, at her home in Ft Lauderdale. She will be missed fiercely by her family, including her parents, Thurston and Kelley VanHorn, her siblings, Amanda Brown and Danielle Godfrey, and her countless friends and loved ones.

Melanie was a brilliant, creative, free-spirited woman. As a child, Melanie’s imagination knew no bounds. The word "bored" was foreign to her, as she had the extraordinary ability to transform the ordinary into something magical. With a stack of books, she could corral her older sister Amanda into a game of Library, checking copies in and out of her fictional shop. Boxes from packages were not to be thrown away because Melanie wanted to spend her afternoon turning them into an elaborate cardboard car to delight her baby sister, Danielle.

Growing up, Melanie was a talented swimmer, setting record after record at Woodbridge Senior High School. Despite grueling two-a-day swim practices and weight-lifting sessions at the gym, she also excelled in the classroom. Outside of school and swim practice, she let her creativity shine. She was a skilled artist, and she created several works—including a remarkably accurate drawing of her parents as the characters from her dad’s favorite video game—that will adorn her parents’ home forever.

Melanie saw possibility in every inch of the world. She graduated with a degree in Fashion Design & Merchandising from Virginia Tech in 2007 and went on to achieve a Master’s degree in Software Engineering from George Mason. Amidst various web development and engineering jobs, Melanie also started two businesses. One to support her love of fashion and another that sold environmentally sustainable products.

Melanie was a vegan and devoted animal lover. Her dogs, Chanel and Bella, both of whom preceded her death, brought her immense joy. In the way that only dogs can, they knew Melanie’s heart, and they remained unwaveringly loyal to her until their last days.

Melanie's creativity extended beyond her professional pursuits. She had an innate knack for hosting unforgettable children's birthday parties, baby showers, and gatherings for her family and friends. Her sense of style and love for design added a unique touch to every event, making them truly special.

When Melanie wasn’t engrossed in a project, she could often be found lounging in the sun with her floppy hat and one of 5,698 pairs of sunglasses.

Melanie “Jean" will be deeply missed every day, but her memory and the impact of her vibrant spirit will live on in our hearts. In lieu of flowers, please consider sending donations to the Humane Society of Broward County in Melanie's honor, as she was a passionate advocate for animals.

https://humanebroward.com/donate/

There is no ceremony or service planned at this time. Her family intends to spread her ashes in the city that she loved at a later date.

Melanie's legacy of creativity, love, and compassion will forever inspire us all.

It can be a great comfort to a grieving person or family to hear that others thought highly of their loved one, too. If you knew and admired Melanie Anne, be sure to let the family know by writing a few words in the "Memory" section of her obituary on the Kraeer - Fairchild Funeral Home website. www.KraeerFairchild.com