Melodie was born in Johnson City, Tennessee on May 30, 1942. She grew up in Monrovia, California. Melodie graduated with a BA from the University of Hawaii and Juris Doctorate degree from the Golden Gate University School of Law. She was admitted to practice law in Colorado and Washington.
Prior to starting law school at age 41, Melodie worked for Rotary International, CNA Insurance and the Al Swanson Insurance Agency. As an attorney, Melodie worked in the insurance industry, primarily for the Washington State Insurance Commissioner’s Office and WA State Health Care Authority.
She was married to the love of her life and best friend Gary Bankers on August 16, 1975 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They moved to Olympia in 1986.
She was a member of PEO Chapter HS; Board Member of Wolf Haven and The Olympic Wildlife Rescue Project; and the Association of Pacific Northwest Quilters.
Melodie had a passion for photography and wildlife. She was a well-respected and award-winning quilter and fabric artist.
She is survived by:
• Husband of 42 years: Gary Bankers.
• Daughter: Kathy (Don) Hadley of Valparaiso, Indiana.
• Grandsons: Michael (Kerri) Hadley (Valparaiso, Indiana); Spencer Hadley (Fairfax, Virginia).
• Sisters: Margaret Elwood (Redding, California) and Melissa Hoagland (Monrovia, California).
• Nephew: Chad Elwood (Corvallis, Oregon).
Melodie was preceded in death by her parents: Julia and Arthur Hoagland, Jr.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Wednesday, May 30, 2018, at 7 pm at The Viewpoint (below Tugboat Annie’s Restaurant) 2100 West Bay Dr., N.W., Olympia, WA 98502 [(360) 943-1850]
A second Celebration of Life will happen sometime this summer in Pardeeville, Wisconsin (Gary’s hometown), where we will also inter some of her ashes.
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