Melissa Welch Curtis

Melissa Welch Curtis 4/27/73 ~ 6/3/03  Early June 3, 2003, Melissa Welch Curtis, 30, was unexpectedly called home into the loving arms of her Father in Heaven. At the time of her passing she was recovering from surgery at her home in Gilbert, Arizona. Although unexpected her passing was peaceful. Melissa was born at the McKay-Dee Hospital in Ogden, Weber County, Utah, on April 27, 1973. Near her third birthday, she moved with her family to Salt Lake City where she began creating memories of a remarkable life of love, joy and service. She was educated with her dear friends and siblings at her neighborhood schools of Indian Hills Elementary, Hillside Intermediate, and Highland High School, graduating in 1991. Through these years, Melissa collected a bouquet of friends and loved ones as she enthusiastically planned and participated in school activities. She especially loved swimming for Highland and served her team as captain her senior year. Melissa began her college education by attending the University of Utah where she was active in Chi Omega Sorority, serving in various leadership positions. She later transferred to Westminster College, graduating in communications, in May, 1997. While at the University of Utah, Melissa met the love of her life, Don Curtis, who became her eternal companion in the Salt Lake Temple on June 10, 1994. From the moment their friendship began, Melissa became radiant in her love for him and was sustained every day of her life with that light and love. After three years of marriage, Don was accepted to medical school and Chicago became their home for the next four years. In April of 2001, they relocated to Gilbert, Arizona to begin Don's residency program. Coupled with the love of being Don's wife, was the joy of being a mother. Melissa's three sons: Alexander, 5, Nicholas, 3 and little Joshua, 10 months, are her treasures and each moment of her day was filled with caring, nurturing, teaching and enjoying her children. She was a remarkable mother and homemaker. It is within the walls of her home that Melissa established the legacy of her love that now will sustain her family for the years to come. Melissa played the piano but loved her flute. She will be remembered for sharing this talent with Olympic visitors and dignitaries from around the world as she joined with her parents in hosting the Salt Lake City Bid effort. A deep love and appreciation will always be in her parents' hearts for the help, support and example she was to her siblings through the 12 stressful years it took to win the 2002 Olympics for Utah. Melissa had a special love for flowers and developed the talent for arranging while working at The Works Floral Shop. One of the important areas in Melissa's life involved her love of the Lord and her service to Him. She was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving in leadership positions from her youth. She especially loved working with the Young Women and will always be remembered for sharing her testimony every day of her life in word and deed to everyone she knew. She was truly a noble Daughter of God. Surviving are her husband of Gilbert, Donald Ralph Curtis and three sons, Alexander, Nicholas and Joshua. Her parents are Alma Fowler Welch, Salt Lake City and Thomas Kenyon Welch, Park City, Utah. Also surviving are two sisters and three brothers: Lindsay (Molonai) Hola, Salt Lake City, Cameron (Seth) Kelson, Provo, Christopher (Jill) Welch, St. Louis, Missouri, Justin, Salt Lake City and David, Salt Lake City. One grandmother, Mary L. Fowler, Ogden, one aunt: Gayle (Mark) Rizley, Centerville, two uncles: Kent (Diane) Fowler, Layton, Dennis (Kathryn) Fowler, Bothell, Washington and twelve cousins. In addition, Melissa loved and is loved by her extended Curtis family who will also miss her greatly. She was preceded in death by her grandparents: Harold L. Welch and Florence P. Welch, Ogden, and Charles N. Fowler, Ogden and one aunt, Karin Likes Welch. Funeral service will be held Monday, June 9, 2003, at 12:00 noon in the Monument Park 15th Ward, 1320 So. Wasatch Drive, Salt Lake City, Utah. Friends may call at the Larkin Sunset Lawn Mortuary, Sunday, June 8, from 5:30 - 7:30 pm and at the ward Monday from 10:45 to 11:45 am. Interment in the Larkin Sunset Lawn Cemetery. A memorial service will be held in her home ward on Saturday, June 14 at 11:00 am at 2700 East Guadalupe Road, Gilbert AZ 85234.  In lieu of flowers, for those who wish, a missionary trust fund has been set up at Zion's Bank in the name of The Curtis Children Missionary Fund. Donations may be made at any Zion's Branch.