Melainie Garcia

Melainie Wilding Garcia

July 31, 1964 - January 2, 2022

On January 2, 2022, proud mother, devoted wife, beloved sister, and esteemed teacher Melainie Wilding Garcia died at the age of 57, succumbing after many years of health challenges.

Melainie was born to George DeWayne and Eula Louise Wilding on July 31, 1964, in Rupert, Idaho. She was born with a heart defect and literally was carried by family members until she had heart surgery at age 6. After that, she ran and ran and ran.

Melainie attended Pershing Elementary in Rupert until the Wilding family moved to Utah and settled in Ogden. She attended Highland Junior High and Roy High School, graduating in 1982.

She earned her bachelor’s degree at Gallaudet College in Washington D.C., and her master’s degree in Deaf Education from Idaho State University. Between degrees, Melainie was accepted into the Peace Corps. She worked with deaf children in the Philippines for two years, then opted to stay an additional six months to train new volunteers.

After returning to Ogden to pursue her career, it turned out the love of Melainie’s life lived just a few doors down. Melainie and William Garcia were married on June 18, 2005, and enjoyed 16 wonderful years together, settling in Roy. They welcomed their daughter Willa on May 31, 2007.

Melainie worked for nearly 30 years as a teacher for the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind. She primarily specialized in teaching social studies to middle and high school students. She was beloved among her students and was named Teacher of the Year in 2019. She loved her work and cherished her students, and showed up every day she possibly could during her final months of health struggles.

Melainie was a lifelong cat lover and always had a kitty or two prowling her home. Melainie also loved music, ranging from the hits of Elton John in the ‘70s to Adam Lambert’s songs of today.

Melainie, Bill and Willa greatly enjoyed road trips. They visited Idaho, Colorado, Florida, Death Valley, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C., among many other places. But her favorite destination was a place called Ocean Haven on the Oregon coast. She and her family visited there many times, most recently during the summer of 2021.

Melainie could make a friend out of any stranger and was unafraid to use her charm and quick sense of humor to put people at ease. We will miss her terribly.

Melainie is survived by her husband, Bill Garcia; her daughter, Willa; her siblings: Susie O’Hara, Laurie Boogert (John), Jenny Wilding Cardon (Brett) and Jason Wilding; her stepmother, Sophia (Bruce); her dear brother-in-law and friend, Patrick O’Hara; and her nieces and nephews: AJ, Ryan, Griffin, Will, Alison, Jack, Janessa, Charlie, and Jamie. Melainie was preceded in death by her parents.

Family and friends are invited to Lindquist's Roy Mortuary, 3333 West 5600 South from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, January 29, 2022, to reminisce and share memories. A memorial service will follow at 2 p.m. Her ashes will be buried in the Sugar City Cemetery, Sugar City, Idaho, alongside her parents.

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