Melinda Wichern

'Sometimes....' said Winnie the Pooh 'The smallest things take up the most room in your heart!'



On May 7, 2014 life for Janet and Jason Wichern changed when they welcomed their firstborn and only child into the world. Melinda Janet Wichern brought joy and immeasurable happiness to their lives and made their world complete. Sadly life changed again on December 16, 2015 when Melinda died unexpectedly at home. To witness her smile and see Melinda's face is to know the face of God and we now pray and trust she rests mercifully in His arms.

Melinda was the prettiest bundle of joy with her brown curly hair and a permanent smile on her face. Her dad would sing the theme song from Backyardigans and mom's song as she put her to bed each night was Cindy Lauper's 'True Colors' to which she would always sing along: 'booooteeefulll like a waaaainbow. '

Her world knew only the things a child her age should: happiness, love, time filled with her seemingly real but imaginary friends Elmo, Peg + Cat and Pablo, pampering by grandparents and family and the blessings from God in her extended family in daycare at the Waltham YMCA.

Melinda Wichern knew love. She experienced it from her family and friends who in her 19 months showered her with just that: pure love and joy. She blessed everyone with it here on earth.

Tubbie time meant splashing in the water and enjoying the company of bubbles and toys. This past Halloween she dressed as a bunny and smiled to the delight of everyone in her company. She loved her sandbox and experimenting with sand with no concern about where it landed.....in her hair......diaper........wherever.

Simple experiences in 19 short months created an eternity of memories for her parents and those who knew Melinda.

Children's author Ann Cameron was quoted 'When you love somebody a whole lot, and you know that the person loves you, that's the most beautiful place in the whole world.'

Love lives on. Melinda was the absolute sunshine of her family. She lives on in the hearts of her parents, Jason and Janet (Stolowski) Wichern; her grandparents, Richard and Charlene (Malloy) Stolowski of Waltham and Gerard and Janet (McMechen) Wichern of East Northport, New York and Boynton Beach, Florida; aunts and uncles, Joann and Pat Phillips, Christopher Stolowski, Christine and Jerry Marino, Caryn and Stephen Fusaro, Jennifer and Herman Oberosler and Gerard Wichern; cousins Zachary and Alyssa Phillips, Danielle, Jerome IV and Ricky Marino, Stephen Fusaro Jr., Eva and Landin Oberosler; great aunts and uncles and extended family and friends.

Family and friends will honor and remember Melinda's life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Monday, December 21st from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, December 22nd in Our Lady Comforter of the Afflicted Church, 880 Trapelo Road, Waltham, at 10:00 a.m. Burial will follow in Mount Feake Cemetery, Waltham.

Honor Melinda's love for her preschool with a contribution to Waltham YMCA Preschool Program, 725 Lexington St, Waltham, MA 02452.