Melva Lee Gosage

She married Dale Peterson on October 18, 1947. Early in their marriage they operated the municipal airport in Weiser, Idaho. Years later they moved to central California. They had one daughter, Leslie. Melva stayed home during her daughter’s school years, then worked as a bookkeeper after her daughter’s graduation. Dale passed away in 1997 after almost 50 years of marriage together. Subsequently she married Ken Gosage in Porterville, CA. Soon after, they moved to the coast where they lived until he passed away in 2012. Melva then relocated to be near her daughter and family in San Jose, CA and then to Idaho.

She was very involved in the Women’s Club and Exchange Club of Delano, CA, and Seniors of Cayucos. She was an active room mother in each year of her daughter’s school, a Camp Fire Girls leader for 8 years, and PTA President. Her hobbies included bridge, golf, sewing, trailer travel, cruising, puzzles, and cross-stitch.

She is preceded in death by her parents Esther Johnson, mother, Melvin Loree, father, Vern Loree, younger brother and Rory Pope, great grandson.

She is survived by Leslie Wilkinson, daughter and David Wilkinson, son in law of Star, Idaho, Dusty Pope, grandson and Brittany Pope, granddaughter in law of Eugene, Oregon, Brady Pope, grandson and Angela Pope, granddaughter in law of Burlington, Kentucky as well as great grandchildren, Zoe Pope of Newman, California, River Pope, Jackson Pope, and Henry Pope of Eugene, Oregon.

Melva was always the bright spot in the room. She enjoyed life and was always up for a challenge or exciting opportunity. The summer before high school in Cove, Oregon, she accidentally played too close to the swimming pool drain in her uncle’s pool and was drawn down and through the drain ending up in the local creek. After surviving that, her zest for excitement in life was awakened! She learned to pilot an airplane in her early twenties. Years later she parasailed, and then zip-lined at the age of 88 as a gift from Wish of a Lifetime. She went sky diving just before her 90th birthday (a bucket list item for many years!)

She loved time with her family, was understanding, caring and a joy to be around. “Best mom ever,” according to her daughter!

Our family would like to thank Foxtail Senior Living, Keystone Hospice and the Neptune Society for the care and compassion they showed Melva in her final days.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to ‘Wish of a Lifetime’ in her honor.

www.wishofalifetime.org

https://wishofalifetime.org/wish/melva-goes-zip-lining/