Melody Ann Starkweather

Melody Ann Starkweather, born June 9, 1954, in Batavia, N.Y., and resident of Moses Lake, WA since 1989, was finally set free from her five-year battle with cancer, passing away in her home on September 22, 2011. She was 57. Along with her Family, her Mother was also at her side. She is survived by her parents, Richard and Wyona (Foster) Burrs of Warsaw, N.Y; her Husband, Dennis Wayne Starkweather Sr. and their five children; Dennis Jr., Benjamin, Jeremiah and Wife Jessica, Jason, and Florence “Alissa” Starkweather, and former Daughter-in-Law Marie Bruce, all of Moses Lake; 11 Grandchildren; Ashlann, Austin, Dennis III, Sandrine, Kristoffer, Justine, Joshua, Jason Jr., Draegon, Azalea, and Lyllyan; and her Brother Danny Burrs and his Family. She also has a large extended family; close friends of her children, who all called her “Mom“, living locally, and in the Newport-Toledo area of Oregon. Melody had a presence about her, much unlike any other woman we know. She was not only expertly put-together in her appearance, but she had an air of professionalism, kindness, and a straight-forward boldness in her mannerisms, both with her family and the public that she served in her many waitressing jobs across the country. Being married on June 6, 1971 in Warsaw N.Y. was just the starting point for her travels; she also lived with her Husband and kids in places such as Pike, N.Y., Sweet Home, OR, Phoenix, AZ, and eventually settled with her family here in Moses Lake. Her work included waitress positions at Bob’s Café, Denny’s, The Lucky Break, and Ann’s Diner, and she even had her own following of customers, whom she loved. In 1998 she took her first trip to the M.L. Sand dunes O.R.V. area and was instantly hooked. She became an avid member of the local off-road group the Sand Scorpions, and helped with all of their major events by planning and cooking meals, and helping with clean up. She also made sure there were always watchful eyes on the children and things to keep them entertained while their parent’s raced. She was an extremely dedicated Wife, Mother and “Nana”, and will eternally have a special place in the hearts of all those “little people” she so adored. At Melody’s request, her Family and the Sand Scorpions will be having a celebration of her life on Friday the 30th of September, in the 2nd parking lot area of the sand dunes, just beyond Potato Hill Rd. As this is a mostly unstructured event, people are welcome to come by any time after 3 pm to pay their respects. A potluck dinner will be served around 6 pm and the rest of the night’s festivities include music, a drum circle, and open mic for anyone who would like to speak about this amazing human being, or express their wishes for the family. Let’s give her the rowdy send off she deserves!

Melody Ann Starkweather

June 9, 1954 - September 22, 2011