Elizabeth Ann Melendres' Obituary
Elizabeth Ann Melendres, 60, of Kaysville, UT, passed away Saturday, October 23, 2021, after a short battle of pancreatic cancer. She was surrounded by her loving family. A precious heart stopped beating at around 7:30pm that night. A daughter, wife, mother, aunt, and Grammie.
Elizabeth was born on July 11, 1961, at Centinela Hospital, Inglewood, CA, to Clarence Walter and Margaret Ruth Hays (nee Greer). She was the only biological child of that union. Her parents divorced when she was two years old. Her father stepped out of the picture in order to not complicate her life, when Margaret met Frank D. Anderson, and they married in 1968. Doug had six children of his own, so Elizabeth was essentially raised as the youngest of seven children to that union. With her mother as a schoolteacher, she usually attended the school where her mother taught. She was raised in Covina, CA, and graduated from Royal Oak High School in 1979.
In the fall of 1981, she met recently returned missionary, Steven M. Sewell, at the Institute of Religion across the street from Mount San Antonio College (Mt. SAC). He was playing the piano, “Your Song” by Elton John, (the only song he knew). They began dating, got engaged that December, and married in March of 1983. She was reunited with her father during their courtship. With that reunion, Elizabeth found out that she had three half-brothers.
Elizabeth had various jobs. She loved numbers and was naturally drawn to banking. She worked at Fuji Bank, L.A. Branch, First Interstate Bank, Covina Branch, and First Federal Bank, Covina branch. She attended North West College in West Covina, CA, where she graduated from their dental assistant program, and went on to become a certified dental assistant.
She and Steven ultimately got divorced. Although divorced, they remained very good friends.
Elizabeth became acquainted with a gentleman by the name of Simon John Melendres, "John", they were immediately drawn to each other, and with her divorce finalized, they began dating. She had found her soulmate. John and Elizabeth were married in October of 2006. John had never been married, yet he assumed the role of husband, and dad with flying colors. He had a calming influence in her life. They were blessed to have enjoyed a little more than 10 years together, as John was called Home in April of 2017.
After John's death, Elizabeth assumed the role of live-in grandma moving in with Becky and Caleb living in Arizona. While they moved to TX, Elizabeth moved in with family in Utah. Elizabeth found a house in Layton, UT suitable for her needs, and the migration began. Not in a bad way though. First Michael moved in which was previously planned, then Robert. Caleb took a transfer with his company that had them finding housing in Ogden. Jessica felt impressed to leave CA, and moved to UT, and lived with Becky and Caleb for a while, then moved in with her mother.
Jonathan had married his high school sweetheart in April of 2020 in Arizona, and with their family about to expand, he and Brooklyn moved to West Haven, UT. It seemed that her oldest daughter, Eliza, was going to be the only hold out. Then she too received an impression to move to UT, and she moved in with her other three siblings.
Shortly before Eliza moved up, Elizabeth was experiencing some discomfort in her abdominal area. She went to the ER at the local hospital. A series of tests found a 3cm mass on the head of her pancreas...maybe nothing to worry about. Come to find out it's Stage 4 pancreatic cancer.
Prior to her death, Elizabeth had told friends and family that she was not afraid to die. Chemo and radiation were not options. She would live the quality of life she had left with friends and family. She did not want an artificial quality of life. She had reconciled herself to her Heavenly Father, and her Lord, and Savior, Jesus Christ. She sought and received forgiveness from those she might have offended, as well as offering forgiveness to those who had offended her.
She is preceded in death by her husband, John, her mother, Margaret, and her stepfather F. Doug Anderson.
She is survived by her six (6) children, Eliza Ruth Sewell, Jessica Louise Sewell, Steven Michael Sewell, II "Michael", Rebecca Lyne Colley (Caleb), Robert Hays Sewell, and Jonathan David Sewell (Brooklyn). Three (3) grandchildren, Adelyne and Seth Colley, and Ophelia Sewell. Becky and Caleb are expecting grandchild #4 sometime in November. Her three (3) brothers, James Hays (Bridgette) with their children niece, Jamie, and nephew, Brandon Hays, Daniel Hays, and John Hays. Her very, very good friend, as close to a sister as you can be, Lyne Blanchette. She is also survived by her father, Clarence Walter Hays.
Memorial Services are scheduled for Saturday, November 6, 2021, @ 11am, at the Kaysville 11th Ward Building, 500 South Main St., Kaysville, UT 84037. A private inurnment willl take place at a later date.
Funeral Arrangements are entrusted to Premier Funeral Services in Roy, UT.
What’s your fondest memory of Elizabeth?
What’s a lesson you learned from Elizabeth?
Share a story where Elizabeth's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Elizabeth you’ll never forget.
How did Elizabeth make you smile?