June 1, 1967 – January 20, 2023
On Friday, January 20, 2023, the world lost a modern day crusader, a wife, mother, daughter, granddaughter, niece, cousin, friend, community volunteer and judge.
Our beautiful girl burst to life on an auspicious Spring afternoon, with a shock of wild blond hair. She, so brilliant, it seemed she was born talking…and she never stopped.
Always full of life, she liked fast cars, loud music, dancing, singing, high heels and dogs, especially dachshunds. A formidable presence with a beaming smile, a big personality and razor sharp wit, she was the life of every party.
Melanie’s most precious loves and her greatest achievement were her two beautiful children.
From pre-school at Temple Beth Shalom to St. Joseph Elementary School, Gorman High School, Southern Methodist University and Pepperdine Law School, she was an outstanding, focused student.
Possessed of an exemplary work ethic she applied that same tenacity to her career. While still in law school and after graduating, she interned with Nevada’s Attorney General. Melanie’s first job as a lawyer was as a deputy prosecutor for the Clark County District Attorney. She retired for a while to be home with her babies. In 2000 she began working part time as a judge pro tempore, balancing work and family. She was appointed as a Las Vegas Justice Of The Peace in 2009. Subsequently she was re-elected and served in that position until she resigned in 2021.
As busy as she was, she made time to work as a dedicated volunteer for the Trauma Intervention Program (TIP), going on calls to counsel and comfort survivors of loved ones in their grief.
A life long resident of Las Vegas, Melanie is survived by her husband, Murray “Todd” Tobiasson, her daughter Sarah, her son Luke, her parents Madeleine and Don, her grandmother Donna, aunts, uncles, cousins, lots of friends and a pack of dogs.
Visitation will be at 11:00 am, followed by a funeral service at 12:00pm on Tuesday, January 31st, 2023 at Palm Downtown Mortuary, 1325 Main Street, Las Vegas. Burial will be private for family only.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Melanie’s memory to either Heaven Can Wait Animal Society, 546 N, Eastern Avenue #175, Las Vegas, NV 89101 or the Animal Foundation, 655 N. Mojave Road, Las Vegas, NV. 89101.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.palmnorthwest.com for the Andress-Tobiasson family.
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