Melanney Dawn Avara

Melanney Dawn Avara

Memorial services for former Lamar and Burlington, Colorado resident, Melanney Dawn Avara was held at 11:00 AM, Thursday, March 13, 2008 at the Peacock Family Chapel with Troy Wright officiating.
Melanney Dawn Avara was born February 17, 1964 in Lamar, Colorado to Richard and Lorene Thompson. Along with her parents, Richard and Lorene, she is survived by one daughter, Jessica May Strobel, (Billy) and granddaughter, Jamie Rae of Fort Collins, CO and one brother Monty Ray Thompson (Melissa) and children, Dalton and Garrett.

Melanney graduated from Lamar High School in 1982. In 1988 Melanney moved with her family to Norton, Kansas for a brief period and then moved to Burlington, CO where she lived until April, 2006 when she moved to Pueblo West, CO, and resided there until her death.

Melanney was a devoted mother and grandmother placing her daughter and granddaughter first and above all things. She enjoyed every minute she could spend with them. When they could not be together, she and Jessica had a set time on Saturday morning reserved for Saturday morning coffee by phone. Jamie Rae became the highlight of her life and there could not be enough time spent with her or enough pictures taken to share with friends and family. Jessica and her mother loved to just go shopping just to watch the people and drink coffee and had begun to train Jaime to love this also.

Melanney began her career with Farmers Home Administration on March 20, 1994 as a Temporary Office Automation Clerk in Burlington, Co. She was converted to career employee of Rural Economic and Community Development on March 5, 1995. She then transferred to Farm Service Agency as a Farm Loan Program Technician on October 1, 1995 and continued to serve FSA until her passing. She served the Burlington Farm Loan Program Team until April 27, 2006 then transferred to the Pueblo County Office. Melanney was responsible for numerous office duties that included working with several different computer systems in the early years to the current system with two different systems. She served Colorado State Farm Agency in several areas, from being a resource person for several systems and programs within Farm Loan to being a representative on the Colorado FSA Partnership Council. Melanney also provided training to numerous other Farm Loan Program team members throughout Colorado. She helped in the formation of training material for new Farm Loan Program employees and updates on changes to different systems and information. Melanney enjoyed challenges and was involved with the team installing new computer systems for several offices in Northeastern Colorado 2004. She received numerous performance awards throughout her employment with Farm Service Agency.

Melanney had a love for the outdoors, gardening, being outside in the sunshine, picnics and spending quiet times by the lakes. She had a deep compassionate spirit for those that were going through troubled times since she had walked this path herself. She always felt that one should not judge another because you never know what was going on in someone’s life. She was the support system of her family in many ways, always ready to listen, to help carry a burden or share in the joys and happy times. One of her favorite poems was Footprints, which she had done in counted cross stitch several years ago and is a symbol of the faith she carried within her heart.

On the lighter side, Melanney had a love for Winnie the Pooh. She loved the light heartedness of the music, the quotes, and the happy spirit it brought to her and to others. She had acquired a collection of Winnie the Pooh which she loved to share with others; each figurine had a special meaning.

Melanney’s courage and fighting spirit will always be remembered by her family and those who knew her and loved her so very much..

Melanney is survived by her daughter Jessica May (Billy) Strobel and Melanney’s granddaughter, Jamie Rae of Fort Collins. Her parents, Richard and Lorene Thompson of Lamar, brother Monty (Melissa) Thompson of Lamar, nephews Dalton and Garrett Thompson and special friend Dave Seaney of La Veta, CO as well as numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and many friends.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or to Sangre De Cristo Hospice of Pueblo, CO direct or in care of the funeral home office.