[bear]

I mentioned the death of my mother in law on the forum and would like to share some thoughts

Family members gathered from all over the country for my mother in law, Pat van Melle's final visitation and burial. Ma (Pat) led an active and full life. She was looking forward to her forthcoming induction into the Homewood Village Hall of Fame this Fall. She had been an active leader in Girl Scouting for 45 years from the time when my wife, Liz, her eldest daughter, first
joined. She was deeply invlolved in the activities of St. Joseph Church and parrish. Pat was committedly involved with the Sand Ridge Nature Center and spearheaded many activities there such as Settler’s Day, and the Christmas Past celebration. Pat was a founding member of the Northwest Territorial Alliance (NWTA), a revolutionary war re-enactment group, and a
recepient of the NWTA's order of merit. After retiring as the technical services librarian at the Homewoood Public Library Pat remained active as volunteer with the library. Familiy members were astounded that members of three or four other community service groups that had worked with Pat came to say goodbye at the visitation. Back in 1991 Pat was a senior
contestent on Jeopardy. Although opposed, in principle, to the war, Pat filled her recreational time when not reading knitting helmet liners for the
troops while watching TV. She was a very remarkable lady. All of us whose lives she touched so profoundly shall miss her.

Bear