Melanie Lu McCain, 56, passed away peacefully in her sleep at home on September 3, 2017, her head resting on her loving mother's pillow. Melanie was born in Okeechobee, Florida on July 11, 1961 to proud parents, David and Joyce (Paquin) McCain and taken home to three eagerly awaiting sisters, to be joined by little brother David in 1963. Melanie's childhood was filled with love, adventure and all the joy of being part of a large family which included many loving aunts, uncles and cousins.
Upon earning her degree, Melanie became interested in specializing in Health Care. Always a dedicated hard worker, she took the industry by storm becoming a long term care administrator before the age of 28. She spent the next 20 years as a licensed administrator in Alabama, Georgia, New Mexico and Nebraska. A tireless advocate for the elderly and incapacitated, Melanie implemented programs and practices that remain in use today. She was best known in the industry for transforming substandard nursing homes into highly rated facilities.
When not working, Melanie's interests and hobbies included scuba diving, sailing and traveling, especially taking trips to the Bahamas. She also loved refinishing furniture, drawing and painting. She was an EMS (Emergency Medical Service) volunteer, spending many nights riding along in the ambulance to help those in need. Melanie was a devoted member of The Florida Federation of Republican Women, achieving officer and board member positions. Her contributions to the organization resulted in an invitation to the 1989 inauguration of the 40th President of the United States, Ronald Reagan. She attended both the inauguration and one of the inaugural balls.
Melanie was fiercely devoted to her mother, Joyce; and upon the death of her father, David, she made sure that her mother always had a home with her. That devotion carried over to her nieces and nephews, who argued, begged, pleaded and bartered for time with Aunt Mel. It was a treasured time for each one, having special and personal memories to last a lifetime. Not only was Melanie's home open to family, she also became a foster mother to children in need of a home.
Of all of her accomplishments being Ernest (Ernie) Daniel McCain’s mother was her most cherished. She adopted Ernie shortly after his birth in February 1994. They became an inseparable pair traveling across the states, living in Georgia, Wisconsin, Alabama, Nebraska, Florida and New Mexico (which always held a special place in their hearts). Ernie, now grown into a fine young man, lives and works in Pierre, South Dakota.
Aside from her immediate family, Melanie remained especially close with her Aunt Dorothy and Uncle Donald, with whom she had an unbreakable bond. Her Aunt Marmie and Uncle Ernest were also close to her heart.
Melanie is preceded in death by her loving father, David Lucius McCain, a former Florida Supreme Court Justice.
Melanie is survived by her son, Ernest Daniel McCain; her mother, Joyce Elaine McCain; grandson, Dante Beranabus; sisters, Tamara Lee McCain Paschal, Laurette (Dennis) McCain Alter, Cassandra McCain Scott, and brother David (Amy) Paquin McCain. Melanie is also survived by her nieces and nephews, David (Melleny) Paschal, Timmy Paschal, Mariah (Dusty) Kramer, Jonathan Alter, Larissa Alter, Taylor (Marcus) Alter Duffy, Tessa (Andrew) Alter Earle, Joseph Alter, William Hancock, Lynde Hancock Russell, Hannah Scott, Jessica Wackler, and Kailey McCain, as well as 12 great nieces and nephews.
The unexpected loss of Melanie has created an immeasurable void in the lives of her family members. They take solace in the fact that with unwavering faith in God and His promises they will be reunited again.
Jesus turned and saw her. "Take heart, daughter.....Your faith has healed you." Matthew 9:22
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