Obituary of Melody Rose Champion

Melody Rose (Schmidt) Champion Gilbertsville, NY Melody Rose (Schmidt) Champion, passed away peacefully in her sleep on April 25, 2016. Melody was born January 18, 1960 in Ithaca N.Y. She graduated from Trumansburg High school then attended SUNY Oneonta, where she received a bachelor's degree in Child Development and Nutrition. Melody was happiest when she was surrounded by children, adults and books. Her paths of employment have always highlighted those passions. She worked at Gilbertsville Mt-Upton Central School as a teacher's aide in a second grade classroom. She enjoyed being with and reading to the children during her Story Time at the Sidney Library. She worked for the Migrant Education Tutorial and Support Services Program as well as the Catskill Whole Language program. Melody was able to truly celebrate her love of children and children's literature when she opened her own book store in Sidney, NY. She would eventually close her store to care, full-time, for her own two children, but throughout the years, she has worked at the best bookstores in Oneonta, NY, her last job being at The Green Toad Bookstore. Melody took great pride in her role as homemaker, as she felt that this was the most important thing in life - to make a good home for her children. Among her many talents were her seamstress and cooking skills. She greatly enjoyed baking for her friends and family ~ this is how she spread her love ~ and she was known throughout her circle of friends for her delicious homemade goodies. Melody's greatest joy was her role as a mother. She loved her children more than anything and that love still shines from her, as bright as it ever was. Her passion for life, her loving kindness, and her joy in helping others has been instilled in her children and continues to inspire those who knew her. There will never be words that can truly capture the joy and incredible soul that Melody Rose was, and those who love her best feel it's important to remember that this is who she still is. She gave her love away freely with no questions asked to anyone and everyone who needed it. Melody was truly a source of sheer goodness for so many in this world. Melody is survived by her two children, Darby and Liam, who, because of their mother, have lived every day of their lives knowing that they are incredibly loved and that they are right to stay true to themselves no matter what. Melody is also survived by her parents Helen and Donald Schmidt, siblings, Charity Winslow and Frederick Schmidt, and his wife Eileen, as well as nieces, nephews, cousins, and many dear friends. There will be calling hours held on Saturday April 30th at 2pm at the Gilbertsville Baptist Church. The weekend of June 11th her family will be holding a celebration of life. (More details to come). Condolences and memories may be shared online at www.landersfh.com.