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Melanie Barclay Obituary


Melanie Trafford Barclay, of Sherwood, Oregon, passed away unexpectedly June 20, 2021, just 11 days after the death of Joseph Barclay, her beloved husband of 35 years.

Melanie was born November 22, 1946, in Westwood, CA, to Howard and Marjorie Batz Trafford. Her parents had moved from Minnesota after her father served in the US Navy during WWII. Melanie attended area schools, graduating from Marysville High School in 1964. She went on to Yuba College and the University of the Pacific, becoming a member of the Gamma Phi Beta Sorority.

Melanie then transferred to Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, where she received her degree in nutrition and met her first husband, Albert Woodward. The young couple appreciated the beauty and ambiance of the Pacific Northwest and decided to make their home in Oregon.

Melanie had a kind and generous heart and was beautiful from the inside out. All who knew her benefited from her welcoming spirit, delightful sense of humor, excellent cooking skills, artistic talents, green thumb, and her great enthusiasm and appreciation for life.

She was always there, taking care of children and grandchildren, volunteering in school classrooms and events, doing anything and everything to assist her family while cheerfully going above and beyond.

Melanie and Joe were staunch supporters and cheerleaders for all their family members' endeavors and pursuits. They religiously attended every sporting event, cheered every victory, and consoled the defeats.

Mel and Joe were the consummate hosts and made every visitor in their home feel special and important. There could have been no better matriarch or patriarch.

After her children started attending school, Melanie loved working as a librarian at Tigard High School. It was a natural fit, given her knowledge of literature and her appreciation for kids.

During their marriage, Melanie and Joe shared many interests including golfing, traveling the world, reading extensively, and helping others. They were both devoted members of St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church in Wilsonville and enjoyed their membership at the Tualatin Country Club.

Melanie is survived by her children, Alexander Woodward (Tracy), Heather Funderhide (Jerry), and Alan Woodward (Beth); stepchildren, Sheryl Price (Gerry), Kim Farance (Jim), and Christopher Barclay (Petra); 14 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. Also surviving is Melanie's sister, Susan Trafford of Yuba City, and many nephews, nieces, cousins, and wonderful friends.

Real love stories have no endings. A joint memorial service for both Melanie and Joe will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Saturday, July 31, 2021, at St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church in Wilsonville. Attrell's Funeral Chapel of Newberg, OR, is in charge of arrangements.

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

Published by Appeal Democrat on Jul. 24, 2021.

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6 Entries

Group of 10 Memorial Trees

Edith-Rae Ingersoll

Planted Trees

edie ingersoll

August 2, 2021

In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.

Carol & Jerry Bitz

July 27, 2021

We send our thoughts and prayers to Melanie's family. We have many good memories of our friendship.

Group of 10 Memorial Trees

Arline King

Planted Trees

Marty Herr

July 6, 2021

Dear Alex, Heather, Alan and extended family, I am so sad that you have lost both Joe and your dear mother. I loved working with her In the Tigard High School library because she was so gracious, kind and supportive toward all the students and teachers there. She was a joy and a blessing to all of us. Holding you in my heart and prayers, Marty Herr

Joan Goodrich

June 29, 2021

Melanie was a good friend I met at Tualatin CC. She was aware of our shared Episcopal faith and we talked about how we loved our services, she sent me weekly services from St Francis every week during covid. She was a sweet, gentle person. I will miss her smiling face. I feel very sad about her passing. I thought she wanted to be with Joe so much, God allowed her to be with him.

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Memorial Events
for Melanie Barclay

Jul

31

Memorial service

2:00 p.m.

St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church

8818 Miley Road, Wilsonville, OR

Funeral services provided by:

Attrell's Funeral Chapel - Newberg

207 Villa Road, Newberg, OR 97132

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