Our Melinda Jean was born in Brookline, Mass., on May 27, 1955 and has lived in California all her life. She received her education in the Garden Grove Unified School system and graduated from San Diego State College in 1977. She later obtained her teaching credential and had been teaching at Kernville Elementary School for the past 20 years. She fell in love with Kernville on her first visit there and has been very happy living in this area. She passed away suddenly in her Kernville home on Monday, April 6, 2009.

Melinda always had a personality full of adventure—she made friends easily, she enjoyed her family life, traveling, photography, the computer, hiking and fishing—but a love of books was really her first love. After getting to know her husband, Allen, she learned how to fish, and catch fish, with great enthusiasm. She has touched the lives of all she has met, especially her students. She was a dedicated, creative teacher. Her optimistic personality has been very refreshing and her sharp sense of humor a delight.

 Melinda is survived by her husband of eight years, Allen Montgomery, Kernville, Calif. and her parents Betty and Edward Bue of Bakersfield, Calif.; her brother Tim and his wife Lisa and  their beloved son, Colby of Mono City, Calif. She also has three half-siblings, Nancy, Peter and Caleb Baisley who live in Massachusetts, as well as many nieces and nephews and cousins. Other survivors are her stepson, Bud Montgomery, his wife Geralin and their two sons; and John O’Leary and his two children. John’s wife Marilyn, Allen’s daughter, preceded Melinda in death. A memorial service was held at the Family Life Center-Foursquare Church, 20 West Panorama, Wofford Heights, California on Saturday, April 11 at 11 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the “Save A Tree” Foundation or to the “Melinda Bue-Montgomery Memorial Fund,” a scholarship fund established in Melinda’s memory at AltaOne Credit Union, P.O. Box #3553, Lake Isabella, California 93240

 Melinda was a magical person and we will always remember her as our “beloved Mimi.”