Melva died July 1, 2020, in Bremerton, after a lengthy illness. She was born in Port Townsend December 7, 1941, and was raised in California and Port Townsend.
Melva Bland graduated from Port Townsend High School in 1959 and immediately went to work at Crown Zellerbach Paper Mill until 1967. She lived in Port Townsend and Hadlock most of her adult life, eventually retiring in Poulsbo. Melva was a well-known cook locally (Don’s Pharmacy, Tri Cities Restaurant, Burger Meister, Chevy Chase Golf Club, Port Townsend Golf Club, Roadhouse) and will be remembered as well for her sarcasm and dry wit. Melva (aka Anne) volunteered at Fishline in Poulsbo for several years and also enjoyed breeding Shih Tzu mix puppies.
She was preceded in death by her brothers Ralph Elsworth (Skip) Hopper and Johnnie Holeman, her sister Elizabeth (Betty) Cosby, grandson Zion, granddaughter Jordan Smith, and special friend John Carlson. Melva is survived by her brother Phillip Holeman of Long Beach, daughters Colleen Russell of Bremerton, Kathleen Nuccio (David) of Gig Harbor, and Jennifer Smith of Everett; grandchildren Bryson, Andrew, Jade, Elizabeth (Ricardo), Michael, Vincenzo, Codi and Jalene; great-grandchildren Analiyah, Maddox, Madysen and Malia; numerous nieces and nephews, and her beloved dog Benny.
