Our sweet, beloved daughter, Melinda Kellner Brock, died suddenly March 14, 2010. She was “the special light†in this family, warming all of our hearts when we saw or talked with her. The love and care she gave each of us and her friends will be in our hearts for the rest of our lives.
Melinda was born Oct. 24, 1956 in Ann Arbor, Mich., and grew up in Chapel Hill, N.C. She lived in Durham, N.C. for 20 years. She was a devoted nurse, and all of her patients loved her for her kind and gentle devotion.
On May 26, 2007 she was happily married to the love of her life, Fred Delapena. She lived in Houston where Fred was employed by Fluor Corporation. Melinda was torn between her life with Fred and her devotion to him and his family and coming home to Chapel Hill, where she had strong roots with family, friends and place.
Mourning her death are her mother, Eunice Brock; stepfather, Samuel Magill; older brother, Cliff Brock; and twin brother, Douglas Brock, and his wife, Marcia, and their two daughters, Alanna Ercelle Brock and Lilianne Eunice Brock.
Also grieving are Melinda’s husband, Fred Delapena; Fred’s sister, Gladys Smoot; his mother, Martha Delapena; and other members of his family, and her beloved lab, Otty. Also devoted to her were her uncles, Glen Miller, Pat and his wife, Peggy Miller, and Mike and Betty Miller and their children. Melinda was especially close to her cousins, Kathleen Gadberry, Amy Pence, Laura Johnston, Mia Miller and Kelly Miller. She was also dear to the hearts of Sam’s children, Sam Jr. and Lucian Rinando, Kate and John Walters and Suzanne and Dan Weintraub and their daughters, Sophia and Phoebe.
Melinda was predeceased by her father, Clifton Brock. His widow, Jadwiga Brock, was also devoted to Melinda.
Everyone who knew Melinda realized the extraordinary quality of her spirit and love for so many people. Her family grieves with heavy hearts that they no longer will see her sweet face, hear her lovely voice and feel those loving arms around them.
Memorial services, followed by a reception, will be at the Community Church at 106 Purefoy Road, Chapel Hill on Saturday, March 27, at 1 p.m. Following the service and reception, the internment will be at the Chapel Hill Memorial Cemetery between Fordham Boulevard and Legion Road, west of Scarlett Drive.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to El Centro Hispano, 201 W. Main St., Durham, NC 27701, (919) 687-4635, and John Avery Boys and Girls Club, PO Box 446, Durham, NC 27702, (919) 687-4517). Walker’s Funeral Home of Chapel Hill is handling the arrangements for the Brock family.