MELISS ARMITAGE APPEL

Hildred Meliss (Armitage) Appel, age 89, of Oklahoma City, died February 9, 2026 after a period of declining health. Meliss was born in Long Beach, California on December 5, 1936 to Harry Carleton Armitage and Hildred Juanita (Hall) Armitage, the second of three children.

A lifelong learner, she received a bachelor's degree from Occidental College, a master's degree in Public Administration from the University of New Hampshire, and a Juris Doctor from the University of Connecticut School of Law.

In the 1960s and 1970s, Meliss called Rye, New Hampshire home, where she was active in the community. She attended the North Church of Portsmouth and was a member of the New Hampshire League of Women Voters. In 1975 she was elected to the New Hampshire Legislature, serving two terms as a state representative representing the towns of Rye and New Castle. She raised four children, later moving to Connecticut, California, and New Mexico before settling in Oklahoma in the early 2000's where she lived the remainder of her life. Even in "retirement" she was busy: in Oklahoma she worked as a substitute school teacher, taught ESL, and was a tutor to special needs children. She also became an IRS-certified volunteer tax preparer.

Meliss had a lifelong love of travel. Following her graduation from Occidental College, she worked for United Airlines as a flight attendant, stationed in Boston. Over her lifetime she visited the United Kingdom, Europe, the Caribbean, the Soviet Union, Central and North America. She traveled to 49 of the 50 United States, and she liked nothing more than to set off in her vehicle to explore new places, experience new cultures, taste new cuisines, and visit with family and friends.

Meliss had a keen sense of humor, so it was no surprise to those who knew her that she especially enjoyed April Fools' Day. She was always the best dressed at social gatherings, colorfully coordinating from her prodigious wardrobe. She loved playing games and was the reigning family champion at Scrabble. She was an avid reader and enjoyed attending the theatre, ballet, and musical events. She was a true "foodie", and her recipes will be passed on to future generations through the family cookbook.

Meliss was predeceased by her parents, her sister Jean (Armitage) Gell, and her former husband John Leo Appel, Jr. She is survived by her brother Thomas Armitage (Meg Parisi), and her four daughters: Karen Brown (Nicholas), Dianne Appel, Gretchen McFarland (partner John McNeal), and Wendie Appel (Todd Abernathy). She will forever be the beloved "Grams" to her eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

A 20+ year transplant survivor, Meliss was especially grateful for the medical care she received from the Integris Health System in Oklahoma during the last two decades of her life.

Burial will be private, to be held at a later date, at Westminster Memorial Park, Westminster, California