Melba Jean McClanahan

Melba Jean (Patterson) McClanahan, aged 91, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 16, 2016. Please join the family as they celebrate Melba's life and legacy. A funeral mass will be held at 10am Friday, March 18, 2016 at Christ the King Catholic Church, 4291 Evergreen Parkway in Evergreen, CO. A committal service will be at 1:30pm Friday, March 18, 2016 at Ft. Logan National Cemetery, Staging area ""B"", 3698 South Sheridan Boulevard, in Denver, CO. Melba was born July 18, 1924 on the family farm outside Oxford, KS. Shortly after her birth, her father moved the family to Junction City, KS were she spent her formative years. Melba loved to dance and in her younger years took tap, ballet and acrobatics lessons. On occasion, when asked what she wanted to do when she grew-up, she embarrassed her parents by answering she wanted to be in a chorus line. Although Melba was a member of the workforce, her main vocation was as Army wife and mother. She managed the house, the pulse of family life and four boys with lots of love and consummate organizational skills. Melba's grace, true interest in people, and inclusiveness made her a delightful hostess to all who came into her home. Melba leaves behind many lifelong friends. Melba, and her husband, Mac, moved to the Rocky Mountains of Colorado in 1993. They built a home near Bailey, CO where they enjoyed walking in the mountains, holidays, frequent special family days, and game nights with family and friends. Melba is survived by her sons, John, and wife Nancy, Michael, and wife Pamela, Patrick, and wife Tammy; grandchildren, Jason, and wife Debbie, Candice, and husband Rick, Nick, and wife Nicole, and Trevor; great-grandchildren: Lucy, Riley, Amelia and Quinn. She was preceded in death by her husband, Mac, in 2014 and her son, Robert, in 1980. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that memorial contributions be made to the Tru Hospice Care Center, Louisville, CO or the Bladder and Bowl Foundation (https://www.bladderandbowelfoundation.org). Please share your memories of Melba and condolences with her family by signing the guestbook below.