Heather Wren
Melinda Mary Campbell, 72, passed away at St. Francis Hospital on Saturday, August 27th. She was born on September 23, 1949 in Tacoma to Francis and Allyene (Stevens) Lawler.
Melinda is survived by her daughter Heather (Scott) Wren of Edgewood; sister Karen Hermsen; grandchildren Emma and Owen; many other beloved relatives, and friends she considered family.
Melinda attended Visitation School for most of her primary years, then St Leo's School and finishing at Mt. Tahoma High School. While a shy young lady, she was involved in Drama Club, Girls Club and Cleophas Club (becoming President her senior year). Graduating in 1967, Melinda attended Tacoma Community College before transferring to the University of Washington to earn a Bachelors of Arts in Sociology in 1971. She worked in banking before having her daughter and then entered the Mortgage Industry where she stayed for 30 years, retiring in 2007. Her father passed on his love of gardening and she found peace working in and enjoying the beauty of her garden. An avid reader, she read 2 or 3 books at a time with many stacked on the table waiting to be read. Recording every title since 2015, she read over 700 books, averaging 100 per year. After retiring, Melinda shared her love of reading with 1st graders, tutoring kids who were struggling with reading at a local elementary school.
Melinda loved her family and friends and took any chance she could to spend time with them whether by having lunch with her sister and nieces, visiting with her lifelong friends, or cheering on her grandchildren at the ball field, soccer field or basketball court. She also loved watching all sports on TV and supported her hometown teams no matter what. Whether at the Tacoma Musical Playhouse or the Paramount, Melinda shared her love of theater with her friends and family, passing that love on to Heather and Emma. A joy of traveling with friends and family, documented in many photo albums, took her on many adventures to places like Fiji, Spain, Italy, England, the Caribbean, and many states in the US. The love Melinda had for family, theater, travel, reading and gardening has been passed on to her daughter and grandchildren.
A funeral service will be held at St. Theresa's Catholic Church located at 3939 SW 331st St, Federal Way, 98023 on Tuesday, September 13th at 12 pm. There will be a reception held on site after the funeral.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to the Tacoma Public Library system in honor of her love of reading.
