Melanie Anne Waldron Spanier, a mother, aunt, grandmother and sister passed away peacefully on November 20, 2013 in Seattle. She was born in Chicago, IL on September 19, 1946 to Dennis and Mary Waldron. In 1950 the family moved to Seattle where Melanie attended St. Catherine’s and Blanchet High School. In 1966 she married Gerald (Jerry) Flemming and moved to San Diego where she had a daughter and son (Kim and Scott). After three years they divorced and Melanie married William Spanier. In 1974 they moved back to Washington and lived in Issaquah. There, Melanie became more involved in Girl Scouts by becoming a Brownie Leader and later a Junior Leader, having begun her involvement in San Diego. In 1979, Melanie went to work at Farmers New World Life on Mercer Island and after 30 years retired as a Project Analyst. She made many friends over the years.
Melanie was an avid reader and passed on this passion on to her daughter. Melanie also loved sewing. She helped her daughter and several Brownies earn their sewing badge. Later she showed her niece, Amanda, how to sew. Melanie also loved to travel, most recently she and Kim traveled to Germany and France to visit Amanda who was studying in Paris in 2012. Melanie also traveled to Egypt and Ireland where her Uncle Hugh joined her to visit a cousin. Melanie’s favorite place was New York and the theater district. When there, she attended a play every night! Melanie’s passion for theater is also shared by her granddaughter, Michelle. For the last two summers, Michelle stayed with Melanie and attended Summer Stock with the Seattle Musical Theatre, performing in Seussical this past summer. Melanie loved boating and has enjoyed taking friends out on Lake Washington and trips across the Sound to Poulsbo.
Melanie was preceded in death by her grandmother and parents. She is survived by her daughter, Kim, of Seattle and son, Scott, and
granddaughter, Michelle, of Arizona. She is also survived by her brothers, Matt and his wife, Teresa, Ken and his wife, Carol, Dennis and his wife, Ann, Tom and his wife, Pam, and sister, Anne and many nieces and nephews. Many thanks go to Uncle Matt and Uncle Ken who were by Melanie’s side in the months prior to her death.
Melanie’s service will be held at St. Catherine’s of Seattle on January 10, 2014 at 9am with a reception afterward at the church. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to Girl Scouts of Western Washington in her name.