Ellen Melkonian

Ellen (Bartholdy) Melkonian

Ellen Melkonian, nee Bartholdy, was born in Copenhagen, Denmark on August 18, 1930, and died July 25, 2017, age 86 in Denver, Colorado due to natural causes. She was the daughter of Margrethe and Georg Bartholdy, the sister of Marie Glenthoj, Hanne Graesholt, Niels Christian Bartholdy, Ove Bartholdy, Karen Sorensen, Helga Lindblad, and Nete Tengberg.

Her family held a private memorial service for her upon her death, and her ashes were laid to rest alongside those of her beloved husband, Levon Diran Melkonian, in Trout Lake, Washington July 5, 2019 (he preceded her in death August 20, 2014). They are remembered there, the home of Dan and Lora Melkonian, and the site of many precious family reunions with Ellen's children, grandchildren, and dear friend/sister-in-law, Marie Melkonian.

Ellen received her degree in teaching in Denmark, and her master's degree as a Fulbright scholar at Western Michigan University.

She left Denmark in her 20s to serve as a missionary in Chennai, India, where she met and married Levon, an Armenian Cypriot and fellow missionary, on December 5, 1958. After serving in Beirut, Lebanon, they settled in Modesto, California in 1969.

Ellen made her home a welcoming place, inviting in neighbors, friends, extended family, and strangers from many places, all of whom felt her love and hospitality. Her children and grandchildren experienced the gift of amazing meals around the table, learning from the many folks who passed through. She preferred things homemade and natural, sewing clothes and curtains, re-upholstering furniture, drying fruit, making fruit leather, jams, olives, and pickles.

She offered comfort, wisdom, love, and always prayer. She gave sage advice regarding perseverance, humility, and modesty. Ellen wrote and favored witty puns and speeches. She was both opinionated and gracious, even if not perfectly so.

Ellen loved to teach, whether at Sunday school, or in elementary school classes for children with special needs. She thought creatively and resourcefully on how to best reach children that others were unable to reach, a loving and dynamic teacher.

Ellen is survived by her precious offspring and their families, daughter Lois Melkonian and her husband Art Raymond, her son Dan Melkonian and his wife Lora Melkonian, her son John Melkonian and his wife Debbie Melkonian, her son Paul Melkonian and his wife Yvonne Melkonian, her son Mark Melkonian and his wife Valery Melkonian, her daughter Ruth Melkonian-Hoover and her husband Dennis Hoover, and her grandchildren Addison, Elliot and Oliver Zettas, Micah and Davis Melkonian, Marie Melkonian Bartlett and her husband Levi Bartlett, David Melkonian and his wife Briana Melkonian, Anna Melkonian Nowlin and her husband Wesley Nowlin, Alicia and Rebecca Melkonian, Joseph, James, and Miriam Melkonian, and Isaac and Gabriella Hoover, as well as her beloved remaining siblings - Niels Christian, Helga, and Nete, and thirty four dear nieces and nephews, and caring friends.

Her family and friends miss her dearly, but rejoice in her union with God and all those she's loved who've passed before. She continues to be honored by gifts of love and service to God and others.