Obituary of Melanie Hamlet Dehart

Melanie Dehart, 79, of Greeley, Colorado, went home to the Lord on September 3, 2021, in Greeley. Melanie was born in San Francisco, California to Glenn & Bertha (Zeis) Hamlet on October 7, 1941. On march 8, 1975 in Reno, Nevada, Melanie married the love of her life, Jess Dehart. Friends and family called her Mel. Simple word for a bigger than life personality. Mel lived her faith. Giving of herself and time to listen to people on the phone, take extra duties at the church, taking care of people’s pets, teaching china painting or beading, volunteering for her rock club or china painting guilds as secretary, treasure and such. Always taking pictures with her heavy old camera. Mel gave up being a carmolite of the Catholic church moving from Covenington, LA to take care of her parents in their home until their passing. Mel had many fiends and acquaintances at Saint Peters church in Greeley who admired her devotion. She learned china painting from her mother and taught others. Giving hand painted china away gave her joy and she would laugh. After loving her family, friends and animals…. She loved rocks. Lapidary was one of her favorite hobbies. However, she loved to just look and touch her six tons of rough or slabbed rocks. Organizing rock hound trips for her club was exciting to her. Always thinking and learning new techniques for china painting at conventions or trips with her sister, then to teach and share them with her many china painting guilds. She loved those china painters. Mel grew up in a menagerie of animals. Donkey outfitted to look like Santa's reindeer at holidays time or walking in the parade as old miners, horse, cow, chickens, ducks, guinea pigs, parrots, tropical fish, cats, and more. She left behind a miniature poodle (Thunder), wild cat (Sassy), beta fish (Blue) and one mean parakeet. She will be buried with her dog Dixie, cat Marmy and little Thunder. Melanie is survived by her son, Steve (Laurie) Hobbs; siblings, Theodore (Kathleen) Hamlet, and Sue (Phil) Ruyle; nephews, Scott, & Steve Hamlet, and Gene Rule; and a great-grandnephew, Tanner Hamlet; and a loving extended family. She was preceded in death by her husband; and parents. A private family celebration of life will be planned in the future. ***************************************************************************************************************************** Sister Sue’s thoughts: We had plans to travel to Montana where she once lived and visit her son. She was sad to miss the Colorado china painting convention she had tickets for this year. Our trips were epic. Always getting lost and laughing at ourselves and just enjoying the adventure as is. We liked the same things: rocks, fudge, galleries, beading, museums, flowers, glass works, zoos, animals/critters and God. She liked cooking (pioneer woman) and sent me cooking gifts for Christmas. I don’t cook. She just liked to shop on line. HSN, JTV and WALMART have lost their best customer. She loved driving the big rig RV with the folks. 70 year old woman got the strangest look from young men. She was proud to be able to do physical work including painting her house and doing that big yard work till the time she got sick. ***************************************************************************************************************************** Nephew Gene’s thoughts: I have happy memories of going with Mel and grandma Hamlet to Mardi gras in New Orleans. Mel made sure I had fun and got lots of beads. Mel was so animated when she shared her stories, her laugh was contagious. We had a really good connection. ***************************************************************************************************************************** Niece-In-law Rita thoughts: I loved how she loved. She spent family night playing cards with us, and made sure we had yummy meals and dessert to eat. Mel was a light in my life, her faith was immeasurable, and her kind soul was demonstrated by the way she cared for us and our cats. ***************************************************************************************************************************** Son Steve thoughts: My Story with Mom begins in 1962.She was an unwed young mother faced with a difficult choice, she made a deal with God. If I was born perfectly healthy, she would put me up for adoption, if not, she would keep me. As she explained, it would be gods way of letting her know what an unwed mother in 1962 was to do. At 5 days old I was placed for adoption. I would meet her again 47 years later, when Colorado changed its adoptee right to know laws. I always knew I was adopted, I always wondered what my Birth family was like. I was able to get my original birth certificate. I anxiously called a number in the white pages of Greeley, and when she answered the phone, I asked her if she had a baby in 1962. There was silence and then so much joy, she yelled to everyone in the room it was "Slugger " on the phone. I was so relieved that she wanted contact. We met the next day at a restaurant and the rest is history. For the last twelve years I have learned what a loving and caring woman she is. She has been a second mother to me. She and my adopted Mom started talking and having lunches, so she could learn all about me and my life. They became friends, and she even went to my adopted Moms funeral. She always talked about how grateful she was my mother cared for me. The first Mother’s day after we met she and my adopted mom arranged for the three of us to spend Mother’s day together. I have grown to love her immensely. I have learned she was the kindest most giving open person. She gave of herself and her time to so many. She always made me feel like I belonged. She was excited when I got married and she opened up her heart to my family as well. She received two half-grown grandkids which she loved & enjoyed. Melanie will be missed, I had her for too short of time. ***************************************************************************************************************************** Mel was the corner stone of the family. Traveling to see uncles, aunts and cousins. Keeping family night going playing cards (Shanghai rummy). She is missed by so many folks. Thank you for reading this and being part of Melanie’s life.