Melissa Ann Ranchhod

Born November 2, 1966, in Sacramento, Calif., and died March 1, 2011, in Sacramento, Calif., surrounded by family and friends packed into her hospital room to celebrate her life through interdenominational and intercultural intercessions.

Melissa was introduced to her life partner and soul mate, Ketan, by a mutual friend when she was completing her master's degree at National University. They were married on July 27, 1991, and built their life around shared interests such as hiking, four-wheeling and traveling to exotic places such as Zambia, Italy, Spain, Turkey, Alaska and Hawaii.

She was never far from her family, beginning with the time when she and her husband lived with her brother and nephew during a difficult time of transition, and ending with her mother and nephew living mere blocks from her home. Even on the weekend before her passing, she attended the wedding of her cousin, celebrating the event with her immediate, extended and adopted families.

Melissa continuously wove relatives and close friends into her life experiences, such as spending time with friends and family at the cabin at Lake Tahoe, going to Oklahoma on spring break to have down time with her aunt, Anna Laura, hosting thematic birthday parties and attending holiday parties with family and friends.

Mrs. Ranchhod was a lifelong educator who maintained contact with fellow teachers from as far back as her first teaching assignment. She currently taught second grade at Quail Glen Elementary School in Roseville. Melissa is fondly remembered by teachers, parents and students alike. The family is so grateful for all the support they have received from her school family during this difficult time.

She is directly survived by her husband, Ketan; her mother, Joyce Johnson; her aunt, Martha Adams, and her family - Frank, Ashley, John, Autumn, Amber and Sean; her nephews, Christopher Nichols and Stephen Nichols; her aunt, Farrell Gutierrez; cousins Debbie Carruthers and Gary Nichols; and additional family in the U.S. and around the world. Other survivors include her father-in-law, Vithal Ranchhod; Kiran Ranchhod and family; Rohini Barnes and family; and her much-loved puppy, Sophie. She was preceded in death by her father, Jack Nichols, and her brother, Richard Nichols.

A memorial service will be held Sat., March 12, 2011, at 3 p.m. at Pleasant Grove Community Church in Roseville CA. A reception will immediately follow in the Quail Glen Elementary School multi-purpose room. The family suggests contributions to the American Diabetes Association or your local animal shelter to honor her commitment to her fur babies.