Obituary of Melinda Geraldine Prosser

Melinda Geraldine (Bradley) Prosser lived a spontaneous and strong-willed life. This is also the way she chose to meet her Heavenly Father on August 19, 2017, three days after discovering she had late-stage leukemia. Melinda joined her beloved husband of 59 years, Richard “Dick” Prosser, in heaven, letting “The Dick and Melinda Show” play on in eternity. She was 78 years old. She was certain of two things: her faith in God and her unwavering love and commitment to family. Melinda was born on December 24, 1938 in Portland, Maine, from a long line of Cundy’s Harbor families: the daughter of Phyllis Evangeline Alexander Morgan, Arthur “Red” Bradley & Ernest “Pat” Morgan. She was a graduate of Brunswick High School and one of the “Girls of ‘56” who celebrated their 60th High School reunion last summer. As a young mother in South Portland she was an integral part of Christian women’s ministries, and later the leader of the Brunswick-Bath Area Christian Women’s Club under the mentorship of Leona Harris. She became a Certified Nursing Assistant, calling on her skills to lovingly nurture her family and heal their scuffs, bruises, and sicknesses. On October 9, 1956 she married the love of her life and became Dick Prosser’s “Bride.” Melinda spent her life teaching Sunday school, vacation bible school, and taking youth on outings with exceptional playfulness, and was honored for a lifetime service award by the Cundy’s Harbor Community Church of the Nazarene. Melinda is pre-deceased by her mother and fathers, her beloved husband, her brother-in-law Dr. Richard Gelwick, and her sister Elizabeth Ann Morgan in their childhood. She is survived by her brothers Gareth Scott Anderson (& wife Anne Anderson) and Clifton Paul Morgan (& wife Barbie Morgan); her sister-in-law Dr. Beverly Prosser Gelwick; her children Paul Scott Prosser (& partner Lynn Johnston), Rhonda Vianne Prosser-Copp (& son-in-law Rickie Copp), and June Melody Prosser (& fiancée Kirk Avery); her beloved grandchildren Ellen Anne Hammer (& husband Mark Hammer), Richard Edward Prosser (& wife Danielle Prosser) Robyn Lynn Bichrest (& husband Robert Bichrest), Raylene Elizabeth Bichrest (& husband Jordan Bichrest), Nicholas Andrew Topolnycky, and Alicia Christine Topolnycky; as well as her cherished great-grandchildren, Brody Martin Bichrest (son of Robyn & Robbie), Alexander Austin Hammer (son of Ellie & Mark), Alanea Mae Bichrest (daughter of Robyn & Robbie), and Sebastian Samuel Hammer (newborn son of Ellie & Mark). She also leaves behind cherished “children” Richard “Ricky” Kinney (godson) (& wife Amber) and “grandson” Adrian (Michael) Kinney of Clearwater, Florida and Mike & Carrie Teegarden and “granddaughter” Sierra of Hudson, Florida as well as many cousins, nieces, nephews, and neighbors who lovingly called her Nana. Melinda gathered many lifelong friends including partner-in-crime (for 78 years) Lucille Eastman, Juanita Earle Arrington, Pam Coffin Livingston, Trina Eliades and the late Dolores Carey. Each of these people have collected stories and memories of Melinda which prove the unpredictable and unbelievably joyful way she lived. She worked hard beside her husband in their fishing business and seafood market “The Daily Catch,” always willing to make do. Nana never wasted anything— she was thrifty and insisted on taking home the leftovers (and the gristle, for her faithful pet T-Too). She was frugal but always generous with ice-cream on beach trips with her grandchildren, and could always be seen swimming whether she had brought a bathing suit or not. She was the queen of building campfires. She loved to strike out on spontaneous trips, make friends of strangers, and run several blocks to catch the sunset even in her last months. She knew how to make life an adventure. Her family and community remember her for her generosity, her kindness, and her unbendable faith in God. She always had her bible nearby whether at home, in Florida, or at Cobossecontee, the family camp in Litchfield, Maine. She and her husband joined hands to set an example for their family of what a faith-full and kindhearted couple can be. As we continue to mark our own accomplishments and milestones we can always think of her taking us onto her lap or folding us into a hug and reminding us, “Did you know Nana loves you?” In memory of Melinda, the Cundy’s Harbor Community Church of the Nazarene (863 Cundy’s Harbor Road, Cundy’s Harbor, Harpswell, Maine 04079) will be open from 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM for personal prayer and vigil. A service of memorial will begin at 3:00 PM followed directly by interment at Cranberry Horn Cemetery, Cundy’s Harbor Road, Cundy’s Harbor, Harpswell Maine 04079. Family and friends will gather at 5:00 PM at the Cundy’s Harbor Community Hall and Fire Department, 837 Cundy’s Harbor Road, Cundy’s Harbor, Harpswell, Maine 04079 for a time of remembrance and fellowship. All are invited to bring a dish to share. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Cundy’s Harbor Community Church of the Nazarene. Memories and condolences may be offered to the family at www.ripostafh.com