Melba Jane Montgomery was born in Pocatello, Idaho, on Jan. 31, 1933. Two loving adoptive parents, George and Thelma Anthony, raised her. Melba married Donald Earl Appleby of Fresno Calif., on Oct. 31, 1950. They had met when he was playing for the St. Louis Cardinals organization in Pocatello. Together they raised six children:
Daughter, Donna, is a resident of Careage care facility in Coupeville; Diane Concannon is married to Greg Concannon and resides in Redmond, Ore.; Robert Appleby is married to Linda Appleby and lives in Laguna Niguel, Calif.; JoAnn Appleby and her fiance, that Mom simply refers to as “My Dennis,” reside in Indianapolis, Ind.; James Appleby who is married to Jeannette Appleby and resides in Anna, Texas; and Brian Appleby of Greenbank.
Mom lived to be a big part of Brian’s “Secret Wedding” to Lyudmila Appleby that took place at Trinity Lutheran in Freeland, only 10 days prior to her return to the Lord. Sixteen grand and great-grandchildren also survive her.
Melba never lost a member of her immediate biological family to death. So as she brought us all to life. So shall she be first to greet us all as we join her in the next life.
Melba moved to Whidbey Island with her second husband John Montgomery in September of 1987. They had recently retired and decided to build a humble ocean view home in Greenbank.
John, who had previously been widowed, preceded Melba in death in 1995. Melba was a very private woman and while she loved to visit her children and grandchildren, she kept to herself after the death of John. Mom and our Dad remained the best of friends forever.
Mom had suffered several accidents and was in great pain towards the end of her life. But otherwise she was always fun to be around. On the evening of Feb. 23 Melba suffered a massive stroke. She was such a proud and strong woman that she was able to walk from her house with some help for the ride to Whidbey General.
She survived 30 hours as countless friends and family members arrived to send her off to Jesus. One friend in the late evening leaned over Mom and sang, “Sentimental Journey.” At 4:25 on Ash Wednesday morning, Feb. 25, 2009, Mom breathed her last, in the sole company of her youngest daughter JoAnn who had arrived from Indianapolis only five hours before. JoAnn had been her best friend and closest confidant in her final years of life, constantly on the phone or traveling together, with Mom’s Dennis.
Melba requested that no memorial service be held. Simply that her ashes be spread near John’s at Aliso Beach, Calif. I am sure I will hear more than a few words about this article, when I see mom next. In closing, I was blessed to be the houseguest and primary caregiver for Mom in the last ten years of her life.
We shared a great loving friendship and I got a lot of unasked-for advice. She simply leaves too large of a space in our empty and broken hearts not to write something in our hours of grief and despair. Mom would be very pleased if in lieu of flowers or cards, people who desire would make a modest donation to Senior Services of Island County. So that other seniors who don’t have what she had can enjoy fellowship there. Live well! Love much! Mom is in Heaven! Signed: Brian.
Arrangements entrusted to Burley Funeral Chapel, Oak Harbor.
