Melinda Ann Van Ronk

Melinda Ann Van Ronk, 44,

passed away unexpectedly on January 18th, 2024 surrounded by loved ones.

 

Melinda “Mindy” (although she hated it, her loved ones didn’t care) was born in Vallejo, California on the 26th of January in 1979. She was primarily raised in Napa, California though she did spend a couple years of her youth in Fairfield, California with her older brother, Sean, and younger sister, Ashley. Melinda became a mother in 1994 when she welcomed her first daughter, Ashli. Melinda went on to welcome three more daughters into this world, Madison, Nevaeh and Shawnee. Her daughters remember their mother as strong willed, brave, hilarious and always the most beautiful woman in the room. Melinda became a grandmother in 2022 following the birth of her granddaughter, Storie. The next year, 2023, Melinda welcomed two grandsons, Zephyr and William. Her grandchildren will remember her as BGE, pronounced BeeGee, short for Best Grandma Ever.

 

Although Melinda was not known to love the outdoors, she never missed an opportunity to spend a hot day on the lake. Those who knew Melinda would agree that her presence was intimidating- but only until you spoke with her, she was electric, fun and welcoming. Melinda was known to curse like a sailor, and she would tell you how it is. When Melinda wasn’t in the sun, she was in her more preferred environment; her home, on the couch, wearing fuzzy socks, eating some sort of sweet treat such as a bowl of cereal. Melinda was a proud woman, proud of her daughters and grandchildren first, but was also so incredibly proud of her job. Melinda worked as a Coroner Forensic Technician for the Napa County Sheriff’s Office over the last 5 years. Her love for true crime turned into a deeper passion for helping those who no longer had a voice, and was a way for her to help families get the closure and justice they deserved. Melinda’s coworkers described her as a true professional and that she will be greatly missed. Melinda was naturally beautiful, intelligent and really was one of a kind. Saying she will be missed does not seem to touch the actual feeling of her absence.

 

Melinda is survived by her father, John Van Ronk, brother, Sean Van Ronk, sister, Ashley Powell, daughters, Ashli Burke, Madison Wedepohl, Nevaeh Woloscsuk, and Shawnee Reyes, grandchildren, Storie Burke, Zephyr Burke, and William Downs, her Babe, Daniel Reyes, and the mother life brought to her, Bernadette Reyes.

 

Melinda’s service is to be held on the 16th of February, 2024 at Tulocay Cemetery located at 411 Coombsville Rd., Napa, CA 94558. The viewing will begin at 9am, service begins at 11am followed by an on site reception. Her family welcomes anyone who had the privilege of knowing, and caring for her to come and share memories and say final goodbyes. It is asked that anyone attending please add a little pink to your outfits. She would have loved to have a matching crowd.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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