Remembering Melodie

Posted on September 25, 2016 by C.E.Robinson

I’d like the memory of me to be a happy one. I’d like to leave an afterglow of smiles when life is done. I’d like to leave an echo…whispering softly down the ways of happy times and laughing times and bright and sunny days. I’d like the tears of those who grieve to dry before the sun of happy memories that I leave behind when life is done

Afterglow 

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Melodie A. Lohr, age 74, passed away after a battle with cancer and developing complications on September 21, 2016, in the comfort of her home. Her loving husband was by her side. A private memorial, celebrating her life, will be held in a peaceful beachside setting for family and close friends.

Mrs. Lohr was born on August 7, 1942 in Lake Forest, Illinois, the daughter of late Thomas and Jeanne Pack.

Mrs. Lohr is survived by her husband James Lohr, MD, her son, Steve McManmon, daughter, Willa McManmon-Feaver, grandchildren, Alyssa, Johnam, Blake, and sister, Jill Adams.

Before Mrs. Lohr started her 40+-year professional work career in nursing, she was part of the folk singing group, Three Johns with A Melodie. She also performed studio backup vocals for Rotary Connection, Janis Joplin’s Big Brother and the Holding Company, Josh White, Joan Baez, Emmylou Harris and various other artists.

She later received a Bachelor in Fine Arts degree from UCLA and spent some years as a sculptress.   She began her nursing career at the University of Pennsylvania where she received a Bachelor of Nursing degree.  During this time she served as head nurse in the Trauma/Shock Center and helped develop the program and train medical personal for the Life Flight Team.  She then went into Psychiatric Nursing and obtained a Master’s in Nursing degree, at the University of Pittsburgh.  She then spent three years at the National Institute for Health in Bethesda Maryland as Educator for medical staff and ran the largest Mental Health Clinic in the country at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Washington DC. During her last year at NIH, she was awarded Nurse of the Year, and also received a Public Health Service Meritorious Research Award.

Mrs. Lohr came to San Diego 30 years ago and opened Behavioral Medicine at Scripps Hospital. After serving as Director of Behavioral Medicine for several years she developed a six-bed med-psych unit for critically ill patients who had co-morbid psychiatric illnesses. While at Scripps she also opened outpatient and day treatment programs at the McDonald Center in behavioral medicine, dual diagnosis, eating disorders, and a women’s program.  She then became Manager of Clinical Services at Vista Health Plan in San Diego. For several years she served as a research coordinator and patient evaluator on a variety of research projects, both at NIH, and UCSD.

Following her career in hospital administration and program development she went back to school to become a Family Nurse Practitioner. She worked as a Nurse Practitioner until she developed Guillain-Barre syndrome, which caused her career as a Nurse Practitioner to come to an abrupt end.  After partially recovering she spent the next two years working for Anthem Blue Cross as a Medical Liaison and she began co-authoring a book Volcano Woman, about her experiences recovering from total paralysis. Over the past few years, Mrs. Lohr expressed a desire to include her recovery and rehabilitation from cancer into the existing book in progress. She wanted to help other cancer patients in any way she could, from resources to basic support, understanding their plight.

Mrs. Lohr is affectionately called, “Mel,” “Melodie,” and “Miracle Mel.” For those fortunate enough to know her, several things stand out; her unmatched zeal for life, her boundless love for family and friends, and her uncanny ability to spring back with a smile from life and rehabilitation challenges.

A year ago, she made the decision to fight cancer, and asked her oncologist, “If I decide to fight this what am I signing up for and if I do is there any hope?” His answer was blunt and truthful. “Living Hell but with the right attitude you just might survive.” Since then she went through 12 rounds of chemotherapy followed by 6 weeks of daily radiation therapy and 5 major surgeries.

On Monday, August 1, 2016 she was declared in remission. Her oncology team named her “Miracle Mel.” Her family, friends, hospital team of doctors, nurses and auxiliary staff would all agree, Miracle Mel was a Warrior Woman to her last day.

gc_180088_1-xander-inspirational-quotes-best-friend-forever-black-lettering-on-white-background-greeting-cards-6-greetin_13370006 Love, Christine

 She will be deeply missed

Let us pray for the departed soul to rest in everlasting peace

Melodie’s Family & Favorites

Mission Inn Cathedral
Melodie and husband Jim
Melodie and Jim
Granddaughter Alyssa
Son Steve McManmon
Husband Jim
Melodie and daughter Willa
Daughter Willa McManmon-Fever
Grandsons Johnam and Blake
Willa’s Family
Flowers
Sunsets
Doggies

 

About C.E.Robinson

Christine Elizabeth Robinson, a former nurse practitioner ventures into the world of fiction to write books. Published in May 2022, THREE YEARS OF HER LIFE, a historical fiction, comes from her love of researching family history. A background as a published poet, experience in writing fiction, non-fiction and screenplays, is an advantage in her writing career. Christine lives in Southern California. A sequel to the debut book, THE NINE YEARS THAT FOLLOWED, in progress, will be available in Spring, 2024. The plot explodes and the characters evolve, moving forward. Even their victories create conflict and consequences. http://cerobinsonauthor.com
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57 Responses to Remembering Melodie

  1. Sue Vincent says:
    September 25, 2016 at 10:52 am

    She sounds like a fine woman. My deepest sympathies. x

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  2. mihrank says:
    September 25, 2016 at 11:31 am

    wow – this is touching and sad.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  3. GP Cox says:
    September 25, 2016 at 11:45 am

    I am sorry for your loss.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  4. Let's CUT the Crap! says:
    September 25, 2016 at 12:00 pm

    My deepest sympathies, Kathleen. She sounds a fascinating and no-nonsense woman.
    ❤ ❤ ❤

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  5. vanbytheriver says:
    September 25, 2016 at 12:22 pm

    I’m so very sorry for the loss of such a friend, Christine. A lovely tribute here. 💘

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  6. Jodi says:
    September 25, 2016 at 5:32 pm

    so so so very sorry for your loss Elizabeth… you were blessed to have such a friend. ❤

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • C.E.Robinson says:
      September 25, 2016 at 5:56 pm

      Thank you, Jodi! Melodie was my best friend, and colleague. We shared many years of work, became Nurse Practitioners together, and were co-authors for her book, Volcano Woman. That’s on my list of WIP books to finish. 💛 Christine (Elizabeth)

      Like

      Reply
  7. D. Wallace Peach says:
    September 27, 2016 at 1:19 pm

    So sorry to read about the loss of your friend, Elizabeth. She sounds like a wonderful woman. ❤

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  8. Opinionated Man says:
    September 29, 2016 at 7:22 pm

    What a beautiful tribute to Miracle Mel!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  9. Lynz Real Cooking says:
    October 2, 2016 at 11:42 am

    Beautiful and heartfelt tribute. My sympathy dear xxx

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  10. Stephanie Faris, Children's Author says:
    October 4, 2016 at 3:25 pm

    I’m so sorry for your loss. She seems like an amazing woman. The opening part brought tears to my eyes!

    Stephanie
    http://stephie5741.blogspot.com

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • C.E.Robinson says:
      October 4, 2016 at 10:27 pm

      Thanks for your visit and comment, Stephanie! She was an amazing friend, and I miss her! Thanks for leaving your URL. I’m looking forward to browsing your blog site. 💛 Christine

      Like

      Reply
  11. sheldonk2014 says:
    October 9, 2016 at 6:05 pm

    What a beautiful story
    This woman sounds like the kind they don’t make anymore
    I would of love to have met her
    And you told it so well
    Great post
    Excellent work
    As always Sheldon

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • C.E.Robinson says:
      October 10, 2016 at 11:12 am

      Sheldon, thanks so much for your visit and comment. Melodie was an extraordinary woman. The best friend I ever had in my life (along with my mother and sister). So happy you read and liked the post. She was all that I wrote and more! 💛 Christine

      Like

      Reply
  12. sheldonk2014 says:
    October 10, 2016 at 12:15 pm

    Those kinds of people are few and far in between
    I have been blessed with a few in my life time
    Thank you again
    Christine

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  13. Mithai Mumblezz says:
    October 11, 2016 at 3:27 am

    This is a beautiful tribute you paid Christine. Melodie was a wonderful lady and a strong beautiful soul, and that’s beautifully holding up through your words. Thank you for sharing her memories with your heartfelt words. I’m sure she’s happy with her life spent amongst loving people like you.
    May her soul rest in peace.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  14. dweezer19 says:
    October 11, 2016 at 6:48 pm

    Hugs Christine. A beautiful tribute to someone so obviously lived by many. 😔💐

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • C.E.Robinson says:
      October 11, 2016 at 10:00 pm

      Thank you for your visit and kind comment. Yes, Melodie had many people in her life that loved her! I miss her so much! 💛 Christine

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      • dweezer19 says:
        October 12, 2016 at 2:55 am

        This past Spring I lost a very dear friend, a Soul Sister, similarly. But she chose not to do treatment because the prognosis was grim. Only a few more months in exchange for all that chemo and radiation. She left us within weeks of being diagnosed. We met online 16 years ago and rarely a day passed that we didn’t correspnd. We were able to spend actual time together on two vacations. My heart still aches for her totally honest and loving friendship. I still cannot believe she is gone from the physical world but I feel her with me every day.

        Liked by 1 person

      • C.E.Robinson says:
        October 12, 2016 at 11:34 am

        I’m so sorry for your loss! Sounds as if we both found rare friendships, and the beautiful memories stay with us everyday. I understand well your words! Melodie & I were also co-authors of her WIP, Volcano Woman. Even though it is on hold for perhaps future work. She was a great storyteller, and I ask her (out loud) to help me with my own WIP. Funny thing, I instantly get new ideas and direction! It’s as if she’s still
        here! 💛 Christine

        Like

  16. dweezer19 says:
    October 12, 2016 at 3:02 pm

    As wild as some people might find it, I often feel her mosre closely than when she was in this ohysical life. She bore a lot of emotional burdens due to family challenges, always the rock for everyone else. She always longed to be free from them. I can almost feel her sense of freedom now.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • C.E.Robinson says:
      October 12, 2016 at 9:54 pm

      Cheryl, I feel that same closeness to Melodie! Sounds a bit wild and weird to other people though. Seems both our friends had similar challenges, and they are finally at peace! 💛 Christine

      Like

      Reply
  17. J.Gi Federizo says:
    October 12, 2016 at 10:41 pm

    It’s unfortunate that she had to pass on after winning against cancer. Then again, the important thing was she won against quite an adversary.

    My condolences to her family and friends. Rest in peace, Miracle Mel.

    Like

    Reply
  18. Holistic Wayfarer says:
    October 28, 2016 at 9:20 pm

    I appreciate the history on this site.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  19. paintdigi says:
    November 1, 2016 at 2:27 pm

    able you give me your opinion on my 40th painting table? I’m interested in him

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  20. The Hook says:
    November 6, 2016 at 3:31 pm

    Friendship is both a gift and a blessing.
    I’m a bit late, but all the best, my dear friend.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  21. Lanita Varshell says:
    November 17, 2016 at 8:32 am

    Christine,
    My heart grieves with you. Melodie had a very special place in my heart also, and was trying to reconnect with me right up to the very end. Without her friendship I would not be who I am today. I have a file of her “insights” that might be useful for your book, and I would love to support you in getting her story shared. I hope that we can connect.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • C.E.Robinson says:
      November 17, 2016 at 11:37 am

      Lanita, I’m thrilled to meet you through our mutual friend, Melodie! Thank you so much for your visit and comment. She will always be my best friend! During Melodie’s last living & thriving month, she did mention you, her health-minded good friend. Yes, let’s connect! I’ll send you an e-mail. 💛 Christine

      Like

      Reply

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