Memorial trees planted for:

Melanie Nelson

Melanie Patterson Nelson, age 55, of Folsom, CA. passed from a long battle with breast cancer while in hospice care on Monday, July 1, 2024, at her home surrounded by family. Melanie was a loving mother, wife, sister and daughter, and a devoted mental health professional and business leader. She was born in Raleigh, NC on October 4, 1968, to Robert Preston Patterson and the late Janice Capps Patterson. Melanie graduated from Athens Drive High School in Raleigh where she played tennis and was a homecoming queen. A natural athlete, Melanie grew up playing baseball, basketball, and swimming, then picked up tennis later in high school. She received scholarships to play college tennis and chose to be a student athlete initially for Elon College, then transferred to play for North Carolina State University where she graduated with degrees in Social Work and Psychology. Melanie completed her advanced Master of Social Work degree at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Melanie had a kind and adventurous spirit, which led her on numerous travels to explore nature, work purposefully, and live vivaciously in keeping with her disposition of loving-kindness, grit, determination, and fortitude of mind, body, and spirit. She worked at an orphanage in Brazil and hiked the Appalachian Trail. She lived and worked in Atlantic Beach, NC, Nantucket, and St. Thomas, ultimately landing on a fishing boat in Alaska, then as a licensed clinical social worker on the Aleutian Chain. During this time, Melanie met her husband, Alvin Lee Nelson Jr, on Kodiak Island where their two sons were born: Seth Lloyd Nelson and Trent Allen Nelson. She enjoyed her best life camping, hiking, exploring, and raising her kids in Alaska. Professional opportunities moved them to Anchorage where they lived for several years before Melanie was offered advancement in CA, ultimately leading her to become the CEO of Signature Behavioral Healthcare Hospital in Folsom, CA, a life-long career achievement. Caring for her family and lifelong friends was most important to Melanie, through regular daily and weekly conversations and trips to spend quality time together. The highlight of her life was joining Alvin in adventures and embracing their shared love of spending time with their sons, nurturing their natural athleticism, love of outdoor sports, mechanical know-how, and successful budding careers. Time spent boating and camping with family nurtured her soul. She leaves a living legacy of sheer happiness, strength through perseverance, unbridled courage, living compassionately for those who were most vulnerable mentally, socially, and judicially in her own corner of the world. She is survived by her husband, Alvin Lee Nelson, Jr., children: Seth Nelson and Trent Nelson, father: Robert (Bob) Preston Patterson, sisters: Margaret (Meg) Patterson, Patricia (Trish) Patterson-Haak, and brother: Thomas (Preston) Patterson. A Memorial Service will be conducted on July 7, 2024, at 4:00pm at The Miller Funeral Home in Folsom, CA. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to The Susan G. Komen Foundation at https://www.komen.org/. Arrangements by The Miller Funeral Home, Folsom.

October 4, 1968 - July 1, 2024

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Melanie Nelson

7 Trees have been planted in memory of Melanie Nelson.

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Memorial Trees

Barb patterson

July 11, 2024

The planting of 1 memorial tree in the honor of Melanie Nelson has been arranged by Barb patterson. Plant a tree

Dear Bob, Trish, David and Preston,I am thinking of all of you during this very very sad time and hoping that Megs life is a testament to her beauty

Anonymous

July 07, 2024

The planting of 1 memorial tree in the honor of Melanie Nelson has been arranged by Anonymous. Plant a tree

The Haak Family

July 07, 2024

The planting of 1 memorial tree in the honor of Melanie Nelson has been arranged by The Haak Family. Plant a tree

With loving memories of Melanie Nelson.

Cindy & Steven Manolopoulos

July 07, 2024

The planting of 1 memorial tree in the honor of Melanie Nelson has been arranged by Cindy & Steven Manolopoulos. Plant a tree

Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Melanie was such an adventurous, strong, woman. He laughter was contagious, and she will be missed.

Mandy Massey and Family

July 06, 2024

The planting of 1 memorial tree in the honor of Melanie Nelson has been arranged by Mandy Massey and Family. Plant a tree

I have not seen Melanie for twenty years but I will always remember how sweet and beautiful Melanie was. She was definitely one of gods finest.

Kris Lipsey Patterson

July 05, 2024

The planting of 1 memorial tree in the honor of Melanie Nelson has been arranged by Kris Lipsey Patterson. Plant a tree

In loving remembrance of Melanie, who loved the great outdoors.

Anonymous

July 05, 2024

The planting of 1 memorial tree in the honor of Melanie Nelson has been arranged by Anonymous. Plant a tree

May this tree flourish in loving memory of Melanies love of Gods beautiful earth. Thinking of you all and offering my deepest condolences.