Melba RILOTT

RILOTT, Melba passed away on November 3, 2021. Melba was born on November 8, 1937 in Belleville, St. Clair, Illinois, second child of Raymond and Bertha Weiss, nee Juenger. She was raised in the home her great-great-grandfather, Phillip Weisz, built in 1880. She graduated from Freeburg Community High School, Freeburg, IL. As a youth, she was a leader in 4-H, FHA, and National Honor Society and was inducted into the "I Dare You" honor roll society in recognition of qualities in leadership. She graduated from Brown's Business College and Elgin Academy of Cosmetology. Melba married Ronald "Ron" Rilott on January 29, 1956 in the United Church of Christ, Freeburg, IL. Three daughters were born of this union: Rhonda Rae, Robin Renee, and Randi Roxanne. Her family was her life, and she adored each one. She was active in the schools when her children were students. She and her family moved to Dunedin in 1968 where Ron and she owned and operated Dunedin Mobile Manor mobile home park making it a 5-star park. Melba also owned and operated Manor Beauty Salon for 20-plus years. She was a faithful Christian, teaching Sunday school classes from when she was a teenager through adulthood, including classes for the mentally challenged. She has been a member of the First United Methodist Church of Dunedin since 1968 serving as Chairman of History & Records, Council on Ministries, Planned Giving, Finance, Trustees, Family Life, Staff Parish. She sang in the Chapel Choir for many years, was founder of one of the most successful programs called WEDS (Weekly Educational Devotional Suppers), chaperoned the touring handbell choir for years, and designed, pieced, and quilted the 85th Anniversary Quilt in 2001. Melba served eight years on the United Methodist Conference Board of Pensions and Preachers Relief, Lakeland, FL and has been an affiliate member of Cashiers United Methodist Church, Cashiers, NC since 2002. Melba served on the Board of Directors of several organizations; past president of the McLean County Association of Retarded Citizens, Bloomington, IL; Upper Pinellas Assn. for Retarded Citizens group home committee; Special Olympics; Advocare Trust Grant program; and Dunedin Historical Museum Board. Melba held a lifetime membership in the Dunedin History Museum, Freeburg Historical Society, Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranch, Florida Conference Historical Society, Friends of the Freeburg Illinois Library, and Friends of the Palm Harbor Library. She served on the Dunedin History Museum Board for 15 years and on the Long Range Giving Committee. She was the founder of the Dunedin History Museum Foundation and in 2008 funded the renovation of the railroad room in the museum. Melba spearheaded a campaign to add an upstairs conference room with matching funds which is named after her "The Melba Rilott Conference Room." She was awarded Dunedin History Museum's History Maker Award in 1981 and received their Lifetime Volunteer Achievement Award 2009. She designed and donated the "All Aboard!" bronze statues in front of the Railroad Station in 2013. Melba was a former Quester serving as President and VP. One of her achievements was a grant she wrote for replacing the windows at Andrews Memorial Chapel in Hammock Park. In May 2015, she was inducted into the Senior Hall of Fame, Dunedin, Florida. She was the founder and charter member of 8 quilt clubs/guilds. As a past member of Epsilon Sigma Alpha International sorority, she chaired fundraisers for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN. Having held all offices in her Alpha Omega Club, she was named Miss Enthusiasm and Girl of the Year for the State of Florida. In 1987 Melba established the Melba and Ron Rilott Endowment Scholarship Fund through Dunedin Rotary and in 1991 became a Paul Harris member. Melba was a dedicated member of the Inner Wheel Club of Dunedin since 1987 serving as president, VP, Treasurer, Friendship Chair, and Foundation Coordinator. In 1991, she became a trustee for the Inner Wheel USA Foundation, Inc. and served for 6 years. She was Chairman of the Board from 2002-2004 and was instrumental in partnering with Hanger Clinic reaching more upper limb-deficient children with myoelectric limbs. In 2008, she became a Women In Philanthropy with Morton Plant Mease Health Foundation and in 2008 served as a member of the Manor Board of Trustees as an advisor. In 2015, she became a resident of Mease Manor retirement community and was president of the Mease Manor Residents Foundation, Inc. She was instrumental in starting a Mease Manor Resident Supported Scholarship Fund for high school seniors, college, and technical trade school students. In 2019, the Mease Hospital Chapel renovation was funded by Melba. She has been a big supporter of the Women on the Way scholarship with the St. Petersburg College Foundation. She served on the scholarship committee of Big Brothers Big Sisters. In 2013, she was presented the "Helping Hands" statue from the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranch, an award for assistance in donations for mending lives and healing hearts of boys and girls. In 2015, she was honored as Philanthropist of the Year receiving the Catherine Hershey CORE award. The children at the ranch held a special place in Melba's heart. One of their special times together was weekly reading sessions with them. Melba was also a charter member of the Cornerstone Society of the Southeastern Guide Dog Society, Palmetto, FL and was a supporter of Random Acts of Flowers. In 2013, Melba wrote a book entitled, Growing up on the Farm...We Each Have a Story to Tell. She loved travelling and had visited at least 63 countries and all seven continents. Melba's greatest loves were for God, her family, friends, and reaching out as a philanthropist. She was predeceased by her parents and her husband. She is survived by her daughters, Rhonda Eberhard, Acworth, GA, Robin Rilott, Harrisburg, IL; Randi New (Chris), Bainbridge, GA; grandchildren, Alyssa Eberhard Fitchett, Blake Eberhard, Connor Eberhard, and Dayna Eberhard, Caroline New, Sarah Anne New, and Emily New; great-grandchildren, Caden Fitchett and baby Fitchett expected in May. She called her grandchildren her "heartbeats" and requested a train quilt titled "Grammy/Mimi's Heartbeat Express" be draped over her casket. Being a professional quilter, she also requested to be buried with a threaded quilting needle in her hand as "all the angels in heaven will have quilted wings." A Celebration of Life service in Historic Andrews Memorial Chapel, 1899 San Mateo Dr., Dunedin, FL, will take place on Friday, December 3, visitation at 11 am and service at 12 pm. To celebrate Melba's passion for life, guests are invited to wear purple to the celebration. A private burial will follow at Curlew Hills Memory Gardens, Palm Harbor. The family requests in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Inner Wheel USA Foundation, Inc, PO Box 3414, Haines City, FL, 33845; Dunedin Rotary Foundation, Inc (Melba and Ron Rilott Scholarship Fund) PO Box 1153, Dunedin, FL 34697; Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranch (Safety Harbor Campus) 3180 Enterprise Rd., Safety Harbor, FL 34695, or the Dunedin History Museum, PO Box 2393, Dunedin, FL 34697. Curlew Hills Memory Gardens