Melissa
was born on December 20, 1962, in El Dorado, Union County, Arkansas, to Sandra
Jean Johnson Malloch and James David Malloch, When she was eighteen months old
the family moved to Denton, later to Lubbock, and finally to Beaumont, where
she attended Beaumont schools from the first through the eighth grade.
Melissa’s
early music training was in piano with Sara and Hugh Thompson, and included playing
viola in the Austin Middle School Orchestra.
At the beginning of her ninth grade year, the family moved to Pinewood
in the Hardin-Jefferson School District.
She participated in the high school band where she excelled as a
percussionist and oboist. Melissa graduated from Hardin-Jefferson High School
in 1981 as Valedictorian of her Senior Class.
She
enrolled in Lamar University and received a Bachelor of Science Degree in
Education in 1985. She was a member of
the Zeta Tau Alpha Sorority chapter at LU.
On May 18, 1985, she married Jeffrey Arlin Boychuk. The following year her
daughter, Brittany Leigh was born in Beaumont before the family moved to New
York, and later to Limehouse, Ontario, Canada. In Canada, Melissa gave birth to Tiffany Ann
and Jay Cameron.
In
December 2004, Melissa and Jeff were divorced and she returned to Texas where
she worked in the oil and gas industry as a Landman. Her last employment was with J. Mark Smith
and Associates, Beaumont. She endured a
lengthy battle with cancer that began in 2009 and ended with her death on Sunday,
July 19, 2015, at age 52.
Mary
is survived by her children, Brittany Leigh Boychuk, of Ottawa, Ontario,
Canada, Tiffany Ann Baird, of Hamilton,
Ontario, Canada, and Jay Cameron Boychuk, of Munich, Germany; granddaughter,
Eva Ann Baird, of Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; parents, Sandra and J. David
Malloch, of Pinewood; and brother, J. Scott Malloch, of Chappell Hill.
A
private family committal was held at Broussard’s Crematorium, Beaumont, under
the direction of Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont.
In
lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to American Cancer Society,
#4 Bayou Brandt, Suite B, Beaumont, Texas 77706.
"From
her children: Thank you to everyone for sharing your prayers, and especially
your stories about our mom. Melissa did not want anyone to worry about her and
so told very few people she was battling cancer. She wanted everyone to
continue embracing life rather than dwelling on death. Any fond, funny, or favorite
memories/stories would be and have been wonderful to hear. They are a great way
to celebrate the wonderful parts of her and her life rather than dwelling on
the much suffering she went through over the last many years. Please share your
stories in the Guestbook. Please share the light."
|