Melinda Parkin

May 10, 1982 – October 10, 2022

Melinda Parkin—Gilbert, AZ—Our dear wife, mom, and friend passed away in Tampa, Florida, in the arms of her husband of 15 years, on October 10, 2022. She was born May 10, 1982, in Orange, California to John Walter Hulterstrom and La Vaun Harrison. She married Scott Keith Parkin, her best friend and eternal companion, on October 13, 2007, in the Los Angeles Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and became a loving mother to three sons.

Melinda has returned home having honored her parents, her family, her husband, her sons and her heavenly father by the way she lived her life.

As a young girl, Melinda showed her natural tendencies to be friendly, to develop her talents, to be prayerful and to be a good example to others. These qualities guided her through life. She dedicated her life to her family of boys. She was fun-loving and used this quality to help them enjoy life, from everyday experiences at home to large-scale family adventures. Zoos, parks, and beaches were their “happy places.”  A living room stacked with cardboard boxes, covered with blanket tents, or set up as a racetrack was common. She patiently supported her husband’s hobby of providing the boys with a myriad of wheeled vehicles. She excelled in organizing playdates with friends. She was particularly careful to make sure that the individual needs of her boys were met and that each had the opportunity to develop their own special talents. She made educational growth a priority. Homework was always done. Life experiences were growing experiences. Melinda was willing to sacrifice her time, talent, and energy for her boys. It was common for her to set aside personal wants and needs for the benefit of her sons.

Melinda balanced her family life by providing service to others. She supported school events and was actively involved in her church at both the local level (ward) and the area level (stake). She enjoyed working in the youth-oriented organizations: Primary (children) and Young Women (teens and pre-teens). Working with the young women was a special experience that complemented her daily life with boys.

Education was very important to Melinda. She earned a Master’s degree with emphasis in speech and language. She enjoyed a career providing speech and language instruction to young students, many of whom had severe challenges.

Her life of care and love for family, friends, and community ended all too soon. Her willingness to sacrifice for others culminated with one of the greatest gifts that she could give. Melinda decided years ago that when she passed on she wanted to donate her organs for others. At a time when we all grieve her loss of life, she was able to save the lives of five other people.

Melinda is survived by her husband Scott; her sons Skylar, Spencer, and Simon; her sisters Holly Richards, Sherry Hulterstrom, and Cindy Janhsen; her brothers Steve Hulterstrom and Rob Hulterstrom; her father John Hulterstrom, her mother La Vaun Hulterstrom, and her grandfather Marion Harrison.

Family members will gather Friday, November 4, for a private viewing and family prayer followed directly by interment at Mountain View Cemetery. The following day, November 5, all family and friends will celebrate her life in a memorial service to be held at 3:00 p.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Cooper 2^nd Ward building at 650 S. Cooper Road, Chandler, AZ 85225. After the service Melinda’s family invites all friends and family to “Melinda’s Last Playdate” in the adjacent park for food, friendship and fun. This will honor her years of helping her three boys to have plenty of enjoyable experiences. Due to the atmosphere celebrating and honoring Melinda’s life, casual attire is appropriate for both the memorial and the following activities. Bring chairs or blankets for personal comfort.