MELIA, Elaine Carol

Arizona Daily Sun, Flagstaff, Arizona Tuesday, February 23, 2010 Elaine Carol Melia died Sunday, Feb. 21, 2010, at Flagstaff Medical Center. She was 84. She was born in Chicago on July 8, 1925, and also lived in Redlands, Calif., and Delray Beach, Fla. She enjoyed frequent visits to Flagstaff before becoming a resident of the Peaks Senior Living Center in August 2004. Mrs. Melia's career as a registered nurse brought her great fulfillment. She was a courier nurse on Santa Fe Railroad passenger trains passing through Flagstaff in the early 1950s. After raising her three children, she resumed her career as a surgical nurse at Redlands Community Hospital in Redlands. She is survived by her husband, Robert Melia of Kingman; sisters Donna Long and Audrey Masciola of the Chicago area; children Karen (Shannon) Malis-Clark, Jory Malis, and Paul (Dani O'Connell) Malis, all of Flagstaff, Denise (Michael) Hause of Camarillo, Calif., Michael Melia (Sue) of Brentwood, Tenn., Patricia (Ransom) Walrod of Kingman, and John (Valerie) Melia of Henderson, Nev.; and by extended family Brad and Jayne Clark of Flagstaff. She was known as "Gramelaine" by eight grandchildren and several grand nieces and nephews. She will also be missed by her "second families" of the Saint Vincent de Paul Society and the Peaks Senior Living community, and by many dear friends near and far. She was preceded in death by her mother, Signe Bavido; father, Russell Reiner; and her husbands, Richard Heinrich and Michael Malis. A service will be Thursday, Feb. 25, at 11 a.m. at San Francisco de Asis Parish, St. Pius X Center, 2257 E. Cedar, Ave. Flagstaff. The family suggests contributions in Elaine's memory be made to St. Vincent de Paul Society, 2113 N. East St, Flagstaff, AZ 86004. Elaine also wanted to be remembered by performing random acts of kindness. Norvel Owens Mortuary is handling local arrangements.