Birth date: Apr 23, 1982 Death date: Aug 13, 2024
Melanie Slater Munns, 42, of Herriman, Utah, passed away, peacefully on August 13, 2024 in the comfort of her home, surrounded by family. Melanie was born on April 23, 1982, in Mesa, Arizona to Robert and Linda Slater. She joined Read Obituary
I wish my sister or I could have represented the Richard Smith family at the funeral today. But I was able to go to a quiet place at my work and listen in. It was beautiful! I could feel the spirit. I even had a co-worker listen with me for a while and I think she could feel the spirit too. I could hear Melanie singing along with the music.
Some of my favorite memories of Melanie include her amazing Christlike service. She was always making some amazing baked goods and delivering them to others. One morning she told me she took doughnuts to Nick’s employees on a job and then came home to bake bread and made extra to take to someone else. Her bright blue eyes and brilliant smile made everyone feel loved. She freely shared her beautiful songbird voice. Whenever we had an activity or get together she always took a treat home to Nick (she loved you so much!) Serving in Relief Society with her was a blessing- she is a magnificent disciple of Christ.
George and I were going to come down tonight but he came down with Covid -we are so sorry. We love your family and can't imagine what you have all gone through with Nick and Melanie and everything. We are so blessed to know that someday we will understand the why of it all and have the gospel to comfort us. She was such a special and beautiful girl. Takes after her mom.
I love Melanie and her family so much. She will be dearly missed. Years ago, when our kids were small, they spent a lot of time together. I have so many great memories of Wyatt and Crawford playing with Max and my older boys. They LOVED basketball, Legos, and Star Wars and would walk from house to house to play. Once in a while, I got the chance to watch beautiful little Lauren and she truly brightened my day! And Ashley is the best of the best. I admire her so much!
Today I read through hundreds of text messages Melanie and I shared with pictures and videos of our kids playing together. I was reminded of all they had to manage after Nick’s accident...so much time in the hospital, so many doctor appointments, so much to learn, so much pain and loss, plus they were running their business and being great parents. On top of all that, they urgently needed to remodel their home to make it more accessible. She and Nick handled all of this pressure with incredible faith and strength. Their love for their family was always the priority, making time to create positive memories with their kids during such a difficult time. They are the definition of a power couple!
Who could have ever imagined that after such a life-altering trial, they would then have to face this terrible cancer diagnosis? Why must this beautiful family endure so much? I don’t know. It really, really, sucks. It doesn’t make sense. It isn’t fair!!! I have so many questions. But this I know…you WILL see her again. And how beautiful that day will be.
Melanie was an angel on earth and is now heaven’s best. I’m so lucky to call her my friend. My deepest sympathies to Nick, Ashley, Wyatt, Crawford, Lauren, and Nick & Melanie’s wonderful parents, siblings, and extended family. All my love.
Melanie and I bonded over tragedies that happened on the same day just different years. We would call each other or text to let each other that someone remembered their sorrow. But when my husband and I were serving a mission, I had to come home for some surgery. RS had an activity going on the night I got home before the surgery. I was a little late, but when I walked in she came running over to me and gave me the biggest hug. You would have thought I was her sister she hadn’t seen for some time. I’ve never felt that welcome in the last 20 years at church. I loved singing in the choir with her. She was like a box of DOTS - Disciple of the Savior.. and when she became ill she was still a box of DOTS - Depended on the Savior. She will be missed but never forgotten.
Cathy Floyd
I was honored to be Wyatt and Crawford's 6th grade teacher. I had the privilege to work closely with Melanie. She was such a light and that will live on always. Sending my love to everyone, especially my sweet former students, Wyatt and Crawford.
I had the privilege of teaching Ashley and Wyatt. With that privilege came parent / teacher conferences and that is where I got to meet Melanie. She never missed a conference and she loved talking about her husband and her children. I looked forward to those discussions every semester over the years. I was greatly impressed with her devotion to God, to the Savior, Jesus Christ, His restored Church and to her family. She was a delight to talk with and I will miss those conversations. It has been a privilege to have been able to have Melanie in my prayers for the past two years and her family will remain in my prayers during this time. (Think Celestial)
Melanie made everyone feel loved! She greeted everyone with a radiant beautiful smile and a hug. I will cherish the many times we performed together and am so grateful for the recordings of her gorgeous singing. Accompanying her was always a privilege and blessing. I loved the rehearsal time where we got to chat and laugh together. She shared her testimony of Christ through song in the most magnificent way. She was an amazing example of service. I remember I played for her when she was sick and not feeling amazing and that evening she had one of her boys deliver homemade waffle cones and ice cream to our front door to say thank you. Melanie was always thinking of how to serve others and spread the light of Christ. Melanie was a ray sunshine filled with happiness and love!
Melanie had a gift for making people feel like they mattered to her. She was kind and accepting, and as beautiful on the inside as the outside. She has made the world a brighter place. My heart is with her family, her parents, and all those who were close to her, as she will be dearly missed. But her light will live on in the lives of those she loved.
I met Melanie when she was fresh out of high school. She was so happy and kind. I had the privilege of singing Phantom of the Opera with her, and her voice absolutely soared! May She find peace and joy singing in the choirs in Heaven.
