WATTS, Melanie Lee
1951 – 2011

Melanie Lee Watts (nee Walsh) known affectionately to family and friends as Mel – the Ol’ Boot, passed away suddenly on December 12, 2011 at Kelowna General Hospital, at the age of 60.

A devoted wife, mother and grandmother, Mel loved socializing with family and friends and also enjoyed RVing, travelling, ocean cruises, gardening, knitting and crocheting. Born in Calgary on October 2, 1951, she graduated from Prince of Wales High School in Vancouver and lived in Vancouver, Maple Ridge, and Duncan before moving to Peachland in 2001. In 2004 she married John Watts, a resident of Peachland since 1990.

Mel is survived by her husband John of Peachland, brothers Pat of Peachland and Dennis of Tsawwassen, mother Leta of Tsawwassen, son Todd of Ottawa, son Aaron, and daughter Kylie both of Victoria. She is lovingly remembered by her six grandchildren, whom she adored: Dillon and Robert of Ottawa, Maddy and Niall of Kelowna, and Spencer and Dominick of Enderby. Always on the go, with a twinkle in her eye and an engaging infectious personality, Melanie was well loved and will be sorely missed by her many friends in Peachland and elsewhere.

Many lives were touched by Mel, and a celebration of her life will be held Monday December 19th from 2 pm to 4 pm at the Blind Angler Grill in Peachland, where Mel worked. Following cremation a family graveside service will be held at a later date.

Our thanks to KGH for the professional care she received during her stay.

Memorial donations may be made in her memory to the Canadian Cancer Society.

• I am shocked to be reading this sad news. I had the joy of taking care of this wonderful woman for a couple of weeks. She had a great sense of humor and she brightened my day when I saw her. I wish her family all the best through this sad time. I do know she really enjoyed the shakes from DQ the last week, she said she wasn't going to have that crap in a can pumped through her peg tube.
  
  Sincerely Doug, nurse on 4A. Dec 14, 2011
• Mel,
  
  I can still remember how you glowed at your wedding; it was beautiful to see! And we had such a good laugh when I threw the keys in the dumpster with the garbage at Dad's dinner. You had sparkle plus and it is so hard to accept that you are gone.
  
  God Bless, Liz Dec 14, 2011
• Amazingly strong, dark humoured, artistic, loving, honest and so much more that won't come to mind right now. You will be missed and thought of often. My heart goes out to John, and the family she held so dear. You deserve the rest Mel, bless you.
  
  Judy R. Dec 14, 2011
• Mel was the first person we met when we moved to Peachland. She made us feel so welcome. It was truly an honour to have known her. She was the best!
  
  Les and Kathy Dec 14, 2011
• I met Mel last winter in Palm Springs. It is so rare to meet someone who immediately becomes a good friend. Mel had a smile that warmed your soul. She is a bright spirit that I will always remember and cherish.
  
  Judi Dec 15, 2011
• Peachland is a small community but it has the biggest heart and at a time like this it buoys my heart to experience the outpourings of love and affection for Mel, which have been just incredible. I hope Castanet has enough bandwidth to handle it all! I loved my wife to bits and told her so frequently, but I had no idea she was so popular with the Peachland townsfolk as well as wonderful friends in other parts of Canada and the United States. One of our dear friends RVing out in the desert near Palm Springs said: ”Please don’t forget us here in the desert and come join us. We will tell Mel stories and hug each other in our loss.”
  
  I would like to thank each and every one of you for love, affection, and support during this difficult and unexpected time of Mel’s loss.
  
  -Hubby John
  Dec 15, 2011
• I am so sorry to hear that Mel passed away, I only met her in September in the hospital. She was my mother's roommate just before she passed away in September. Mel was very caring and her compassion was greatly appreciated. Our condolences to the family.
  
  Roylene Nichol Dec 15, 2011
• Condolences to the family. I recall Mel from "red hat" functions at the Blind Angler and with the Peachland Pearls - fun times in red and purple.
  
  Rest in peace Mel,
  Darlene H. West Kelowna Dec 15, 2011
• Our dear friend Mel, whom we have known for 40 years at least, has been very special to both of us. We have been through thick and thin together and with her kids as well. My gosh, there are so many stories we could tell you about her that would make you cry and laugh both. We loved her very dearly and will always think of her in a fond way. Mel, wherever you are right now know that we love you still.. and John, please keep in touch.
  
  Love, Jim and Henrietta Smith Dec 16, 2011
• My dear friend, Mel - I know she is resting, and she deserves to as she was always so busy looking after every one else! I keep expecting to hear her voice on the other end of the phone, I keep waiting to see her at one of the many gathering places in Peachland. She was always helping people, loving her family and friends, always being truthful and thoughtful. It is so in her character to go quickly and quietly, not to bother anyone, just to slip away. If only she knew what a big hole she has left in our lives!!! Pray for her to be at peace and pain-free.
  Mel....you are only out of my sight, not out of my heart!!!
  
  Sharon Hilland, Peachland Dec 17, 2011
• Mel was a close friend who was always there for everyone, our birthday cake girl, she never was too busy or unwell to be there for her pals. What a fighter she was, and know she is being tenderly cared for now and that she is smiling down on all of us who are thinking and remembering their special moments with her. She is going to be missed terribly by all those who loved her - my sincerest concern and love go out to John, Pat and Mel's family who are so sad right now and missing her so.
  
  Love, one of the 'Ol Boots" - Joan. Dec 17, 2011
• Melanie, Melanie, Melanie, I have known you for 30 plus years and have never had but a wonderful time with you. The parties, the crying, but most of all the wonderful talks. You will be missed soooo much. I wish I could give you a hug one last time. You are such an incredible woman. Liked it best when we use to be bitches, me, you and Henrietta! Love you forever, will remember all our memories together.
  
  Love, Pat Blakely Dec 17, 2011
• Don't think of her as gone away, her journey's just begun, life holds so many facets, this earth is only one.
  
  Think of her as living in the hearts of those she touched, for nothing loved is ever lost, and she was loved so much.
  
  Here's to you Mel, you'll always be in our hearts.
  
  Roger and Susan Cyr, Peachland BC Dec 18, 2011
• Mel, it was always a pleasure seeing your lovely smile and sharing a glass of wine with you Patty and I miss you dearly.
  
  Patty & Bill Dec 19, 2011
• RIP Mel - I will always remember the laughs and joking around when John and you came down to Vancouver for a visit and we (usually) met up at
  Bridges for a couple.
  
  Bo Igeborn - Stockholm, Sweden
  Dec 19, 2011

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