It is with great love and sadness her family announces the sudden death of Melina Chase Thornhill on July 4, 2015. She is survived by Melissa and Thomas A. Thornhill III, who loved each moment being her parents; her siblings Rob, Derek and fiancée Lauren, Tommy IV and wife Anne, Chase and wife Lauren, and her treasured nieces: Lily, Frances, and Eliot. Melina is also survived by her beloved grandparents, Ann and Tommy Thornhill Jr.; her aunts and uncles: Meg and Harlan Crawford, Claudia and Wayne Smith, Roselle and Tim Thornhill.

Melina was born in Houston, TX, grew up in San Rafael, CA, and was a graduate of San Rafael High School class of 1989. She earned her BA at UC Riverside, class of 1993, and her MBA at the USC Marshall School of Business, class of 2001. She started her career at UBS in Chicago followed by Montgomery Securities in San Francisco. Subsequently she worked in San Francisco with Glocap Search, Barclays Global Investors, Russell Investments and recently with TIAA-CREF.

Melina connected us! Melina was the orchestrator of gatherings-bringing together friends and family and producing joy with her contagious laughter. She loved all animals, San Francisco, her UC Riverside Gamma Phi Beta sisters, tailgating with her brothers and friends, cheering on her 49ers, Giants and college football teams, listening to your stories, ordering the next round, insisting you try this bite of food, suggesting what is best for everyone, taking a long weekend with family and friends at the vineyard, spending late nights around the fire looking at the stars and long afternoons in the pool and always planning the next meal. She found the greatest happiness in being the fun and loving aunt to her nieces, Lily, Frances and Eliot.

To know Melina was to be loved by Melina and she will be greatly missed by family and friends alike.

The celebration of Melina's extraordinary life will be held at the Presidio Officers' Club in San Francisco on July 11, 2015, starting promptly at 3:00 p.m.

Please be aware of the Doyle Drive shut down and allow time for an alternate route through the Presidio or Arguello Gates.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to your favorite animal rescue group or go with a friend to a Giants game. Services Entrusted to Keaton's Mortuary, San Rafalel.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by San Francisco Chronicle from Jul. 9 to Jul. 12, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
for Melina Thornhill

Sponsored by CLOSED-Keaton's Mortuary - San Rafael.

26 Entries

September 2, 2015

Dear Melissa, Tom, and kids
Words do not express how sorry I am to hear of your loss. Melina lives on in our hearts and our memories. After all these years I still remember with great fondness her adventuresome spirit. Please know my thoughts are with you. If there is anything you need, do not hesitate to ask. With deepest sympathy,
Laura Heidenreich

July 28, 2015

Rob and the Thornhill Family-
Deepest sympathy goes out to you all from The Anderson Family- We keep you in our thoughts and prayers.

Mike, Kristin, Michael and Elora
Malibu, CA

Gino Norris

July 24, 2015

I am so saddened by the loss of Melina. My deepest heartfelt condolences go out to the Thornhill Family. I have cut Melina's Hair for 12 plus years and there was never a dull moment!. Her warmth and exuberance lit up the salon. We often discussed SF Giants. I will sorely miss her. Rest In Peace, my dear Melina.

Dayna Hunt Dillon

July 17, 2015

Melissa,

So sorry for your loss. Melina was a good friend and I have nothing but happy memories of our time together in middle and high school. My heart goes out to you and your family.

Sincerely, Dayna Hunt Dillon and family

Vivian Tsai

July 16, 2015

I am so saddened by your loss, Melina. To have worked with you both at BGI and then at TIAA-CREF, I always loved your laugh and your spirit. Rest in peace.

Debbie Edge

July 15, 2015

Melissa, I am so so sorry for your loss and for that of your family. My heart goes out to you and my thoughts are with you. Wishing I could give you a big hug and sending lots of love.

Michael Holstein

July 15, 2015

Let me express my deepest sympathies to the Thornhill family. Melina was such a special person.

Bernarda Duarte

July 13, 2015

My deepest condolences to the Thornhill family. Melina was always so happy! This is truly a great loss. We were friends in b-school at USC. RIP dear Melina. --Bernarda Duarte

July 13, 2015

Our deepest condolences to the Thornhill Family. Melina had an infectious personality that spread joy and happiness to everyone in here sphere. the Magnuson's

Catherine Peirsol-Schipper

July 12, 2015

My condolences to the Thornhill family.

July 12, 2015

Chris & Angela Hart and family.

Michelle Klein-Fox

July 11, 2015

My brothers and I all were students at SRHS between 1987-1997. I have memories of Melina always with a big smile on her face. Our deepest condolences to the Thornhill family.

Courtney McCrea

July 11, 2015

Melina was always so happy, joyful and always present. She was quick with a warm smile and heartfelt hug. A loss to every one of us - and for anyone who didn't yet know her. My heart breaks for her family. Melina you are greatly missed.

Melissa Bellero-Isola

July 11, 2015

Melina was an incredibly life affirming personality. Always a warm smile and an optimistic outlook on life. We lost touch after high school, but I will always remember what a wonderful person she was. Wishing the entire Thornhill family well as they lay Melina to rest today.

Bruce & Nikki Lloyd

July 11, 2015

Tom, Melissa, and Family,
Nikki and I can't even fathom the very depth of the loss you must be feeling.
Tom and Melissa, although I only met Melina a handful of times, it was clear she was your daughter. She was full of that special "Thornhill" brand of humor and genuine warmth that draws people in and makes them feel comfortable and at home.
She was a wonderful person.
Our deepest condolences.
Bruce and Nikki Lloyd

Kelley Newman

July 10, 2015

My heart and prayers go out to the family. Gone too soon my old friend.

Melody Porteous

July 10, 2015

I knew Melina at SRHS and even though we didn't hang out in the same circles, she always had a smile for everyone around her. I am so sorry for your loss. She will be missed.

David Readerman

July 10, 2015

Tom & Melissa: My deepest condolences on your sudden and tragic loss. I so recall Melina's big, bright smile. With sincerest regards. David Readerman

Patti Owen

July 10, 2015

Deepest Sympathy to all the family from

The Eddie Owen Family

Jennie Corwin

July 10, 2015

My deepest condolences.
I will remember Melina often sitting at the bar at Tia, making me laugh and me making her laugh. Speaking of Derek and laughing about him.
I will think of Melina often and laugh with her.
All my love.
Jennie Moreci Corwin

Janice Ott

July 10, 2015

Melissa was a darling, pure and simple. If we had been closer in age I would have made her my best friend. Janice Ott

Gail Plemmons

July 10, 2015

Our sincerest thoughts are with the entire family as you mourn the unexpected loss of Melina. Warmly, Gail and Kerry Plemmons

Sandra Willett McGonagle

July 9, 2015

I have nothing but great memories of Melina. My heart breaks for the Thornhill family. My love to you all during this most difficult time.

Vicki Larsen Buteux

July 9, 2015

Sending our love to Melina's family during this enormously difficult time. I am still amazed at how special she made each and every one of us feel. That takes a special type of person. Melina was different. I'm sure going to miss her. Xo

Bill/Bonnie Pickens

July 9, 2015

Our hearts go out to your family. We remember Melina well from her high school days and her friendship with our daughter Pam. She was a wonderful girl and she will always be with you as your guardian angel.

Showing 1 - 26 of 26 results