Melinda Marie Mackley, 32

Melinda Marie Mackley was born on May 13, 1983, in Spokane and “departed from Whitefish for eternal peace and happiness with her Creator” on Sept. 12, 2015.

Melinda was known for her exuberant smile and warm, loving kindness. There was rarely a moment that she put her own needs above the needs of others. She always made the people in her presence feel joyful and special. Her inner light, warmth and charm beamed though her incredibly beautiful, dark brown eyes, contagious laughter and broad brilliant smile. Mindi embraced everyone with a heart-felt hug upon greeting and departing their company.

Melinda was an artist at heart. She loved dancing, singing along to beautiful melodies, listening to her favorite music and using her talent with words to brighten the darkest of days. Melinda expressed her artistic gifts and caring touch on the clients that sat in her chair while she cut, colored and styled their hair.

Melinda enjoyed hot summer days and nights spent with family and friends on calm, blue water with a gentle warm breeze caressing her delicate and youthful skin.

Mindi intensely loved, supported and was proud of her siblings, Michael Frye, Alicia Frye and Sarah Lamb. Melinda loved Sarah’s wonderful children as though they were her own. Melinda was close to her mother, Cindi Frye. They often spent many hours laughing and crying in conversation while Melinda admired the sunset or stars from her deck.

Melinda married her loving husband on July 7, 2007, John Matthew Wagner, of Whitefish, a local attorney. He and his family cherished the sweet life, laughter and love of Melinda during the time they had with her over the past several years.

A celebration of her life and love for all will be held locally at a future date. Please send all memorials in her memory to CASA of Flathead County to aid in the advocacy of children from difficult circumstances.

Please join the family in saying this Irish prayer in memory of Melinda:

“May the road rise to meet you. May the wind always be at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face, the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of his hand.”

Melinda will be forever in our hearts and her life will live on with those who adored her.