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Melanie Bautista Obituary
A beloved teacher, Melanie Verder Bautista, passed away peacefully on May 2
at her home in New Bedford, Mass. She was 22 years old.
Mel, as she was fondly known, was an AmeriCorps volunteer, assigned to the Nativity Preparatory School as a science and mathematics teacher.
Mel's road to New Bedford began in her senior year at the University of Notre Dame, when she came to interview for a teaching position at the invitation of Notre Dame alumnus John Rompf, current principal of Nativity. She visited for a day, and said an enthusiastic, "Yes!" This enthusiasm would become the hallmark of her teaching style.
Melanie was born in Vallejo, Calif., on Aug. 20, 1986, and grew up in Dayton, Ohio, the daughter of Dr. Pamela Verder-Bautista, a pediatrician and the late Ray Bautista, champion fencer and founder of the American Fencing Academy of Dayton. Her father died in 2004.
She graduated in 2004 with honors from Chaminade-Julienne High School in Dayton, Ohio. In 2008, she graduated from the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind., with a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology and preprofessional studies.
Mel was a member of the University of Notre Dame Varsity Fencing Team. She was a gold medalist in Karate at the 2002 Junior Pan American games in Venezuela. She also loved ultimate Frisbee and snowboarding.
After her AmeriCorps stint, she looked forward to getting a Ph.D. in psychology and becoming a child and adolescent psychologist.
Mel is survived by her mother, Dr. Pamela Verder-Bautista; and brother, Ryan, of Sacramento, Calif.
She leaves behind a large Filipino clan in California: her grandparents, Ben and Gely Verder of Sacramento, and Bob and Portia Bautista of Vallejo.
She will be missed by her aunts, uncles and cousins: Alice Verder, Rozzana Verder-Aliga and Nestor Aliga and cousins Nes J, Xavier, and Riz, Malou Verder-Carlos and Rommel Carlos and cousins, MJ, Tricia and Melina, Chona and Carl Peralta and cousin Maya, Reve Bautista and cousin Angela, Judy and William Velasco and cousins Wilfred and Portia.
A celebration of life service will be held today at 4 p.m. at Skyview Memorial Lawn in Vallejo, Calif.
In lieu of flowers, her family has asked that tax deductible donations may be sent in Mel's memory to
Nativity Preparatory School at 66 Spring St., New Bedford, MA 02740.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Melanie Bautista
Joseph Howard
May 3, 2024
You are still missed Melanie.
Joe
May 3, 2023
I will never forget the conversations we had at school about martial arts. Rest in Peace Melanie.
-Joe Howard
Joe Howard
February 1, 2022
I knew Mel just a bit at CJ when we were students. We both were practitioners in the martial arts and I remember one day Mel and I had a long conversation about martial arts.
After she graduated from CJ, I never saw her again. I just foundout about her passing. It did hit me hard. When I knew her, I knew her as a friendly, tough competitor. She loved competition and loved to help others. She will be missed and I know her inspiration and motivation will live on in others.
May 13, 2009
Dearest Bautista Family,
Our hearts are broken for you. What a tragic loss of your beloved Melanie. She was a gorgeous, bright and engaging girl. Our prayers are with you and Melanie. She will always be in our hearts. And we know she and Ray are watching over us.
All our love and greatest sympathy,
Patti, David and Zoe Hesp
May 12, 2009
Dearest Mel, Ryan, Rozza, Malou, Our deepest condolence on the passing away of Melanie, beautiful, bright and committed teacher. We pray for Melanie as she wings Home, and for you all for God's warm and consoling embrace. Our love and care, Ritzi and Robee Ronquillo and family
May 11, 2009
Dearest Pam and family,
My heartfelt condolences to you and your family for the loss of your beloved daughter, Mel. Be strong and keep your faith in the Lord that He has your daughter in His home, safely. Dry your tears that she may be able to go Home peacefully. She is loved and so are you.
Best regards,
Esper Samin
Judith & Nolo Torres
May 10, 2009
Dear Mel,
I can not even begin to imagine the pain of your loss. Judith and I will pray that the Lord will comfort you, bless you and see you through this most difficult time.
Nativity Prep
May 10, 2009
Ms. Bautista or Ms. Bomb-teacher..
Because your loved us and rarely slpet, we pray that now you rest in peace. Remember love is forever.
Dan & Cindy Militar
May 9, 2009
Dearest Mel, Ryan, Rozza, Malou, and all of the Verders and Bautistas,
Our prayers for the healing of your broken hearts at the loss of lovely, young Melanie. May God see you through this unbearable time.
Kathleen Burkhalter & Bud Bell & children
May 9, 2009
We will never forget her, and will be praying for all of you. God Bless you all and send you hope and comfort. Lots of love from New Bedford.
Aying Latonio
May 9, 2009
Mel, I know this is a difficult day for you. Please know that we are praying for you. Melanie is a beautiful testament to how you and your family raised her to be so selfless and accomplished. God bless and keep you strong today and in the days to come.
Amy Navarrro
May 9, 2009
A beautiful life dedicated to serving God's people. What a testimony of faith! We will see you in heaven, Melanie!
May 9, 2009
Dear Pam, Ryan, Verder and Bautista families,
The Almighty Lord cradled & taketh a beautiful girl, a true star to that heavenly path. And now sweet Melanie begins that idyllic sojourn alongside father Ray.
What a heavenly site it is. Yet we ask, "Why Melanie?"
So now the Lord glows a radiant be-strong feeling to Pam, Ryan, the beloved families and friends. The Lord sees our sadness, hears our cries and the feels the wrath of our prayers.
God instills in all that pain is inevitable, but suffering is optional. We have gone through the tough trials with the passing of dearest Ray, Rena .. our loved ones. With the Lord's guidance, these experiences will hopefully make our lives better, not bitter.
I convey our deepest condolences and sympathies. All our hearts and minds offer a collective & uplifting support for Pam, Ryan, the Verders and the Bautistas.
El & The Aliga family
May 9, 2009
Dear Pam, Ryan, Verder and Bautista families,
The Almighty Lord cradled & taketh a beautiful girl, a true star to that heavenly path. And now sweet Melanie begins that idyllic sojourn alongside father Ray.
What a heavenly site it is. Yet we ask, "Why Melanie?"
So now the Lord glows a radiant be-strong feeling to Pam, Ryan the beloved families and friends. The Lord sees our sadness, hears our cries and the feels the wrath of our prayers.
God instills in all that pain is inevitable, but suffering is optional. We have gone through the tough trials with the passing of dearest Ray, Rena .. our loved ones. With the Lord's guidance, these experiences will hopefully make our lives better, not bitter.
I convey our deepest condolences and sympathies. All our hearts and minds offer a collective & uplifting support for Pam, Ryan, the Verders and the Bautistas.
El & The Aliga family
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