March 3, 1959 - September 11, 2021
Remembering ~
Melanie Wynne Whelan (Okonski) Born March 3, 1959, passed away peacefully on September 11, 2021, at the Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital in Trail British Columbia.
Melanie had a zeal for living, and for serving Jesus, her family, the Body of Christ, and friends. Her smile and laugh were contagious. She never missed an opportunity to be a witness for the Gospel.
Melanie was born in the Vancouver General Hospital in 1959 to Jacob and Elsie Okonski, who were both predeceased from Melanie when she was a teenager/child. Melanie lived in the Vancouver area until the age of 13 and later moved to Granisle BC with her older sister Alecia Madden. While attending high school in Granisle she met the (young)man of her dreams - Darrell Whelan. Melanie received Jesus as her Savior during this time, as did Darrell. The two were married in Granisle at the Church of the Way on January 29th, 1977.
They later moved to the small community of Topley where they lived for 19 years. During this time, three children were born to Melanie and Darrell - Amy Dawn, Darrell Joseph Jr., and Bethany Amber. Melanie believed, lived by, and raised her children successfully using biblical principles and watched her children flourish under her love and care. The Whelan family lived in Houston, BC for 19 years.
Melanie continued her adult education and received a diploma in Children's Literature Writing and a diploma in Business Administration. She used these skills later in life to facilitate the work she was involved in as a Church Administrator and in international online ministry. Melanie worked as a Second Language Teacher in Houston BC, as Business Administrator for Whelan Safety Consulting throughout British Columbia and Alberta, and as Maintenance Administrator for Ainsworth in 100 Mile House BC. But her passion for work was being involved with Church Ministry. In 1998 Melanie was ordained as a Pastor with the International Association of Ministries.
As empty-nesters, Melanie and Darrell moved to Grand Forks and lived there in Melanie's dream home for 5 years. The following is a recent fond memory of Melanie that Darrell Sr. would like to share - "Melanie and I were watching a tv show one night and a scene showed two young people in love, dancing at a makeshift prom event because the girl was sick in the hospital. So, I rewound the scene to the beginning of the song and invited Melanie to dance with me. So, we danced, looked into each others' eyes, and cried. The song was 'Perfect', by Ed Sheeran. Look up the words, it described us quite well."
Melanie Wynne Whelan is survived by her husband of 44 years Darrell Joseph Whelan Sr., her three children: daughter Amy Dawn Whelan, son Darrell Joseph Whelan Jr. (Candace) and daughter Bethany Amber Jones (Joseph); and grandchildren: Cora, Bailey, Naomi and Adelane Whelan; and step-granddaughters: Leah and Eleanna Jones. She also had a cat that loved her and kept her company; his name was Heimie.
A Celebration of Life was held on October 2nd, 2021, at the River Valley Community Church in Grand Forks British Columbia. Melanie was interned on the same day privately with her family, at the Evergreen Cemetery in Grand Forks, British Columbia.