Mel was so much more than the cancer she faced.

She was a loving wife to Raul, a devoted mother to two daughters and a son, a successful hairdresser, a cherished friend, and a woman whose faith touched everyone who had the privilege of knowing her.

In June 2021, Mel was diagnosed with stage 4B small cell neuroendocrine cervical cancer. Although the diagnosis became part of her story, it never defined who she was.

Mel was funny, kind, and full of love. Even during the most difficult days, her personality and sense of humor continued to shine. She fought incredibly hard every day, finding strength in her family and in her unwavering love for the Lord. Faith was at the center of Mel’s life. She trusted God even when she could not understand what was happening or why. In her own words: “I may not see what God is doing, but I know with everything in me that He’s working it out. I just need to be faithful.”

That was Mel. Honest about the difficulty of what she was facing, yet steadfast in her belief that God was with her through it all. She gave Him the glory for every victory and remained faithful through every unknown. Mel also lived by a reminder that continues to comfort those who loved her: Take it “one day at a time, one hour at a time, one minute at a time, and when that feels too hard, one second at a time.”

Mel will be remembered for her laughter, her kindness, her love for Raul and their children, the strength with which she fought, and the extraordinary faith that carried her home.

Before she passed, Mel shared one final, beautiful promise with a dear friend: “I’ll meet you at the Golden Gates of Heaven.”

Until that day, her life, love, and faith will never be forgotten.