Melanie Ann Ewen

Melanie Ann Ewen went home to be with the Lord on Monday, May 23, 2016 at the age of 66. She was an inspirational cancer survivor, who impressed all who heard her story--including the medical community--with her recovery and strength of will. She succumbed to complications from kidney disease after a 13-month battle.

Melanie is survived by her children, Shane Alexander, Chelsea Alys, and Jade Ashley and grandson Donovan Patrick, of Cypress. She is also survived by her mother, Rowena Phillips, her sister Barbara Burgdorff and her brother Robert Phillips, of Houston. She is preceded in death by her husband, John Edgar Ewen of Cypress and father Robert Lee Phillips of Houston.

Melanie was born on July 29th, 1949 in Houston, Texas to Robert and Rowena. She graduated with highest honors from John H. Reagan High School in 1967 and the University of Houston in 1971 with a degree in education. She married John Ewen, a videographer, in 1979. After earning her Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Development from the University of Houston, she worked and changed children’s lives in a number of capacities: as a counselor for troubled teens at Houston Achievement Place, as director for several pre-schools and churches in the Houston area including South Main Baptist Church and as a special education and science teacher at Thornton Middle School.

Melanie was always as a child’s advocate, everywhere from the grocery store to the classroom. Beyond being a voice for the welfare of all children, she was an especially devoted mother and grandmother, and brought her sense of humor, inspirational courage and empathetic heart to all who knew her. She will be dearly missed.

Reception to follow service for family and friends. Address: 14610 Palos Park Cypress, TX 77429.