Melinde Behrens

1944 - 2022

Melinde "Mendy" Christine Behrens peacefully left this world to be reunited with people and animals who were dear to her. She was predeceased by her Mother Marion Rae Hudspeth and Father Ralph Lafayette Hooker of Carthage Missouri. She leaves behind loved ones who's lives were changed by her being the lovely (on the inside and the outside) person she was. Her children Wendy Cooper and Joseph Pierson (Karri) were adored, as were her grandchildren Michael Pierson (Aly), Korina Pierson and Bailey Bay Cooper. Her nieces and nephews brought her pride every day: Niece Robin Franceschi, Alexander Friedman, Christina Bush, Richard Franceschi and Charles Franceschi. Her sister, Marita Friedman was a most enjoyable part of her life.

Mendy was an adventurer. Like her grandfather, she loved deep ocean fishing and became a puller on commercial fishing boats. She spent months on a navigational sounding ship out of Alaska. In her 50s she became a skilled horseback rider who spent hours on remote trails with her dog Beau.

Developing bilingual skills was very important to her. She became proficient in Spanish, which complimented her career in early childhood development. The education and care of young children became a lifelong focus. At the age of 60 Mendy was in the Peace Corp working in the mountains of Nicaragua with underserved children.

Another passion was gardening and landscaping. She could grow anything anywhere. This skill was inherited by other family members.

Mendy was born on Christmas Day 1944 holding hands with her identical twin sister Merry. Her Mother had hoped for a boy. Her daughter Wendy was also born on Christmas Day. She was certain that all these Christmas birthdays had a higher meaning. She attended Alta Heights elementary, Ridgeview Jr. High, where she had the best early teen best friends in Claudia Brown Cooley, Sue Vosgien Nissen and Cheri Reams. Mendy graduated from Napa High school in 1963.

She spent a good part of her life living in Forestville California, where she embraced the Forestville lifestyle. Her family was graced with many firemen. Her son was a Captain, her grandson Michael also an engineer fireman and paramedic in Sonoma. Nephew Charles is an engineer firefighter in Forestville. The service will be intimate and private for family.

Melinde would be honored to have donations in her memory made to SPCA.