Melissa McWalter, born June 10, 1973, in Chehalis, Wash., departed this life to see her maker Saturday morning, Dec. 3, 2011. She is survived by her husband, David McWalter; her three children, Thomas, Mariah and Ian McWalter; her brother David Allen; and her parents Glenn and Sheryl Allen.

Melissa lead an abundant life, beautifully balanced between recreation and productivity and faith. Growing up in Morton, Wash., she learned to love the wilderness that surrounded her home while hiking with her parents, starting at the age of five. As a young adult she found a job as a Wilderness Ranger with the U.S. Forest Service in Packwood, Wash., where she met and soon thereafter married the love of her life, David McWalter. Together they began a family and surrounded themselves in a strong framework of love with God at the center.

She was an incredible individual, capable of building a bountiful garden, fixing cars, constructing fences and working on house repairs. She was a strong and talented athlete who played collegiate basketball and volleyball at Centralia Community College and Western Washington University. At Western Washington University she earned her degree in earth science/secondary education. She had an intelligent and thoughtful mind filled with knowledge about the environment, birds, plants and ecology. She found joy in the simple things like peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, walking a trail or picking strawberries for homemade jam. She strove for simplicity in her home by minimizing media and offering healthy alternatives to her children, like bicycles, snow suits and pets of all sorts to care for. She valued and prioritized the important things in life like a day away with her husband, a good old fashioned home-cooked meal around the table with friends and family. Her heart was always open to talks with friends, to listen to their needs, concerns and celebrations of life. Most important to us all was her genuine loving nature. She embodied all of the traits that mark a great companion or friend for life: openness, honesty, tenderness, loyalty, sympathy and reliability. She was her husband’s very best friend and he was hers!

There are many who will find joy in the multitude of memories made with her, and hope in the prospect of seeing her again when we reunite in the presence of our Lord Jesus. A service will be held Saturday, Dec. 17, at the Burley Funeral Chapel in Oak Harbor.

In lieu of gifts and flowers, donations can be made to the Awana programs at Cascade Bible Church in Twisp, Wash., or Juan de Fuca Community Church in Coupeville.