Obituary of Melba Jeanne Panovich

It was a beautiful sunny morning when she left us. Our loving mother, Melba Jeanne Panovich, passed away in her home from cancer, at 90 years young, surrounded by her children, family and loved ones in her last days. Melba was born in Achille, Oklahoma, to Arley Howard and LaVerne Frances Potts, along with her younger sister Arlene. They then moved to San Francisco in 1942. She met and found “True Love” in Samuel Miro Panovich, whom she married in 1957, eventually moving to Rio Del Mar/Aptos in 1963 where they built their home, business and raised their family together. Melba was adventurous, fun, a pioneer women, with steadfast morals, truthful and said what she felt in the moment. She was an amazing mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend. She blessed us with fun times with her singing, dancing and playing ukulele during boating, water/snow skiing trips, surfing, golfing, horseback riding, beach adventures and camping. Her duplicate bridge and tennis were her passion and at age 56 she was Rio Del Mar’s Woman’s Singles Club Champion. She traveled the world extensively later in life. Throughout her life she maintained her dignity, wit and charm continuing to emulate the strong, grounded woman that she was. She is survived by her five children; Her two oldest children Teresa Bothe Simons and husband David Simons, Dan Bothe and wife Linda Bothe from her first marriage to John George Bothe: Her three younger children with husband, Samuel Miro Panovich, whom proceeded her in death in 2004; Cheryl Panovich, Lisa Panovich Whitman and husband Andy Whitman and their youngest son Alan Panovich. Grandchildren; Jaime Haskell, Erin Simons, Erika Reid, Brooke Frazier, Nathan Bothe, Krista Whitman, Taylor Whitman. Her great grandchildren; Alyssa Reid, Lola and Lucy Haskell, Jackson Cornick, Bella Frazier, Vivian and Connor Bothe, and three additional great grandchildren along with numerous extended family. As a family we were blessed. She lived a full life of fun and love. She made this World a better place and we will continue to embody and emulate her love, her life and the talents and lessons we have learned from her, which we will pass on. Love and Strength, Wit and Humor, Elegance and Song we will remember you forever Mom. We hope you are dancing in the stars with your “True Love” to “Fly Me To The Moon”. You will be deeply missed by all.