IN MEMORY OF SHIRLEY ANN MELLICK

On March 17, 2025, Shirley Ann Mellick was called home to be with the Lord at age 88 years.  She now rests in the arms of the Savior, free from pain and sorrow, rejoicing in the presence of the Almighty.

Born Shirley Ann Smith on March 10, 1937 to Edwin LaVern Smith and Mary Louise Stickel in Zanesville, Ohio, Shirley grew up in Columbus, Ohio.  Shirley graduated from The Ohio State University in 1959 earning a Bachelor of Science degree in home economics.  In 1992, Shirley obtained a Master’s in Education from Eastern Washington University.

In 1960, Shirley married Paul W. Mellick in Columbus, Ohio and together they had three children.  As the wife of a military officer, Shirley was no stranger to frequent relocation throughout the United States.  In 1987, following Paul’s military retirement in California, Shirley and Paul moved to Richland, Washington where she worked as a substitute teacher in Richland public high schools and taught English as a Second Language (ESL) in the Richland adult school.

Shirley’s passion, however, was working with foreign exchange students.  For over 40 years, Shirley recruited host families for foreign high school students who participated in year-long exchange programs in California, Washington, Oregon, and Idaho high schools. Over these 40 years, Shirley mentored hundreds of exchange students who came from six of the world’s seven continents.  Each student greatly benefited from Shirley’s thoughtful counsel and lifelong friendship.  In addition, Shirley found endless enjoyment through her faithful service at Redeemer Lutheran Church where she was member for the past 38 years.  Shirley also spent endless hours participating in events with the local Kawanis Club.

Shirley enjoyed traveling the world with her husband, Paul.  She also traveled to more than two dozen foreign countries to attend meetings affiliated with the foreign exchange student programs for which she worked. Through it all, Shirley never met a stranger, but rather new introductions were met with her immediate friendship to everybody she encountered.

Shirley is survived by her husband of nearly 65 years, Paul, of Richland, Washington, their three children, Melanie McKenna (Sean) of Benton City, Washington, Linnea Dischinger of Santa Rosa, California, and Kurt Mellick (Christine) of Rancho Cordova, California, as well as four cherished grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.

While we grieve Shirley’s passing, we find solace in the hope of Christ’s resurrection and the assurance that we will one day be reunited in God’s eternal kingdom.  It is in God we trust.

There will be no service at this time.  Shirley’s burial will be at a time in the future in a private ceremony at a National Veteran’s Cemetery as the loving wife of Retired U.S. Army Colonel Paul W. Mellick.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to one of Shirley’s favorite charitable organizations: SIGN Fracture Care, 451 Hills Street, Suite B, Richland, WA 99354; www.signfracturecare.org/donate in memory of Shirley Ann Mellick.