Melba Lucile Hauser

In Loving Memory of Melba Lucile Hauser, who passed away peacefully in her sleep on May 6, 2024, in Gresham, Oregon, at the age of 87. She was born to Austin and Neita McGhee, Dec 20, 1936 in Denver Colorado and was preceded in death by her parents and brother Larry McGhee.

Melba's life was focused on her family and faith. She shared nearly 68 years of marriage with her beloved husband, Harold, whom she married on June 14, 1956, in Severy, Kansas. Their love and commitment to one another was obvious to all they met.

Melba's joy was her family. She was a devoted mother to her children, Janice Hauser, Tammie Lawson, Allen (Julie) Hauser, and Jeff (Kerry) Hauser, and loving grandmother to her grandchildren, Jamie (Michael), Gareth (Neva), Duncan (Jessica), Nick, Rebecca, Hali, Josh (Sunny), Tristan, and Jake. She enjoyed the company of her two great- granddaughters, Daisy and Violet and her sisters Cheryl (Rodney) Ayers, Dana (Don) Reynolds, and Kerry (John) Rietmann, as well as a host of extended family, friends and colleagues who will continue to cherish their memories of her.

Melba was a life-long Methodist (both her father and grandfather were Methodist ministers). Throughout their life together, Melba and Harold were active members of their local churches and the larger denomination. Melba took on numerous roles, Sunday School teacher and coordinator, District President of United Methodist Women, lay preaching, and church communication. She was a frequent delegate to the Annual Conferences, a dedicated choir member, and served on various boards within her local churches and the district, always seeking ways to spread God’s love.

Melba earned a bachelor’s degree from Southwestern College, finishing by mail as she and Harold had moved to the Pacific NW. They first lived in Pullman then Pasco, Washington and Pendleton Oregon before moving to Gresham in 1977. With her children out of primary grades, she updated her degree and became a middle school math teacher in the Gresham Barlow District. There she touched the lives of countless students with her feistiness and dedication also serving for several years as the teacher union treasurer.

Outside of her professional and church life, Melba had many hobbies and interests. She was a talented knitter, an avid reader, and a life-longer writer of journals. She found joy in music and singing, participating in church and community choirs, and attending musical programs of many kinds. In retirement she took on learning the piano. She loved her puttering in her yard with all the flowers and beauty of nature around. Melba cherished vacationing with her family, especially spending time at the Oregon coast, watching the waves in all weather conditions.

A Celebration of Life in honor of Melba will take place, Saturday, May 18th at 3:30 pm at Faith United Methodist Church, 27400 SE Stark St. Troutdale.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Faith UMC (same address), reflecting Melba's lifelong commitment to her faith community and the values she held dear.