Melinda May Mayne, 78, was set free to be with the Lord on September 25, 2025. She had received wonderful care the last four years at The Shores, A United Methodist Home in Ocean City, NJ. Philadelphia, PA, was her place of birth in August of 1947.
Survivors include Jane, a cousin, (Tom) Menie, and a stepdaughter, MaryKaye (Tom) Howe. Melinda has now joined her parents, William and Elizabeth Mayne in eternal rest, along with grandparents William and Margaret Mayne, and grandparents John and Ethel Schroeder, the latter affectionately known to Melinda as Pops and Goggie.
After graduating from Girls High in Philadelphia in 1965, her bachelor’s degree in Social Work was awarded from Temple, her master’s degree in Special Ed from the University of Penn. Melinda was a wonderful, intelligent, capable, and caring teacher who valued fairness. When teaching in the Philadelphia public schools as a special education teacher or social worker, she would invite groups of kids to her home for a meal and movie, and to church. Youth and adults at the Pennypack House School were taught English and Math to prepare for GED tests. Cognitively impaired patients with brain injuries were helped at Moss Rehab Hospital. Her creative and enthusiastic lessons inspired many! She found time for travel abroad while teaching, and at one time was an editor for an educational publication. An advanced position was offered in Texas, but family ties came first. When her dad needed her back home in Philly, Melinda did not hesitate to comply.
Early on, spending summers in Ocean City with her parents and grandparents, Melinda developed a love for the beach (sometimes shared with Florida) which never faded. After retiring and moving to Ocean City, her phone message would greet you with, “Whether rain, snow, sleet, or sun, Ocean City’s always fun! So leave me a speech, here at the beach! The Lord bless your day in every sort of way!”
Along the way, and after a trip to Israel, Melinda realized her need for Jesus in her life. Joining YWAM (Youth With A Mission) she immersed herself in Biblical studies, and took missionary trips with YWAM while continuing with her teaching career. Joining worship teams, serving with Stephen’s Ministry, and ushering at churches including Praise Tabernacle, St. Peter’s UMC, and the OC Tabernacle were all part of her Christian service.
Melinda was a wonderful friend to so many, and was always ready for a fun time. She wasn’t bashful. In college, she had a Philly taxi driver gig zipping riders around when she was a hippie with ponytails! If there was an opportunity, she would be on the stage at the Music Pier doing the mummers strut or some other dance! (Being on Ted Mack’s Amateur Hour on Steel Pier had given her an introduction to performing!) A long time ticket holder, and for a time a board member, the OC Pops were always a must. Making parties and holidays festive was a talent of hers—showing up with gifts, decorations, and of course her beautiful smile and carefree, infectious laugh! Wanting to make sure everyone was having an adventure, Melinda started the Ocean City Red Hat Group planning functions like a spin on the Spirit of Philadelphia, game night, or getting a float together for the DooDah Parade and having everyone dress up to honor Carol Channing the year Carol was the featured guest, etc.! A fun claim to fame—1930’s-1940’s film star Jeanette McDonald, who teamed with Nelson Eddy, and who was walked to her singing lessons by Melinda’s grandmother, was somehow a cousin. Melinda was always allowed to watch her movies, and was told that she looked like Jeanette, and that she had the same bluegreen eyes. You could never tell Melinda that she had blue eyes!
Celebration of Life will be held two days:
Wednesday, 1 PM, October 29, 2025, at The Shores, 2201 Bay Ave., Ocean City, NJ 08226, starting with refreshments in the Bistro, and,
Thursday, 1 PM, October 30, 2025, for placement of ashes, at Sunset Memorial Park, Chapel of Memories, 333 West County Line Road, Huntingdon Valley, PA 19006, refreshments following.
Melinda supported various Christian missions. Suggestions for Memorials, in lieu of flowers, may be donated in her honor to:
Praise Tabernacle, Missionary Fund, 2235 Ocean Heights Ave., Egg Harbor Township, NJ 08234
Youth With a Mission (YWAM) PO Box 1526, Ocean City, NJ 08226 (with many of the Ocean City Allegretto family, longtime friends of Melinda’s, and dedicated to serving)
OC Tab Afterschool Program, 550 Wesley Ave., Ocean City, NJ 08226
St. Peter’s UMC, Needed Most Missions, 501 East 8th Street, Ocean City, NJ 08226
The Shores United Meth. Home, 2201 Bay Ave., Ocean City, NJ 08226
Samaritan’s Purse, PO Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607
Operation Blessing, Child Development, 977 Centerville Turnpike Virginia Beach, VA 23463
Urban Promise, 27 N 36th Street, Camden, NJ 08105
Arrangements are by The Godfrey Funeral Home of Ocean City. For condolences to the family, visit www.godfreyfuneralhome.com