Melinda Gall's Celebration of Life

Celebration of Melinda Gall’s Life and Home-going

Welcome to the celebration of Melinda Gall’s life and home-going.

Melinda Jo Gall, age 50, a lifetime resident of the Harbor, died on Monday, August 22, 2022, in Aberdeen. Melinda was born on July 26, 1972, in Aberdeen to Michael J. and Linda L. (Robbins) Skinner. She was raised in Hoquiam and graduated from Hoquiam High School in 1991. She went on to receive her AA degree at Grays Harbor College.

She had worked as an admissions clerk at Harbor Regional Health for 14 years, retiring in 2018 for medical reasons.

Melinda was known for her wit and sense of humor, her incredible memory recall, and was wise beyond her years. She enjoyed cooking and baking and was especially known for her signature dish of shepherd’s pie. She deeply loved her son, family and friends, and took great joy in showering her grand kids with love. She also enjoyed reading and listening to audio books, and verbally sparring with her brothers, at which she was undefeated (OFW).

Surviving relatives include her husband, Gene Gall of Hoquiam; a son, Jeffery Skinner of Köln, Germany; two grandchildren, Kadlin Skinner and Julien Skinner; her mother, Linda (Dick) Gall of Aberdeen; her father, Michael (Sue) Skinner of McCleary; three brothers, Michael, Mark (Crystal), and Matt (Francie) Skinner; a stepbrother, Dale Gall; nieces and nephews, Kassandra, Bodie, Lillian, Lacie, Bo, Logan, and Elia; her uncle Dean Robbins; her aunts Vivian Ruddick, Debby Kern, and Chin (Wayne) Broyles; and many, many cousins, whom she loved a great deal.

In a way, this service was prepared for you, her friends and family, by Melinda herself. Having battled cancer, she knew the end of her time here on earth might come, so she made a few requests. In order to ensure that no one feels awkward or out of place at her memorial, she requested that we don’t do a public sharing time. After the ceremony, we will be downstairs for a reception, and I encourage you to share your stories with each other and especially with the family. Our service will include three songs that became important to Melinda as she considered what it meant to leave this world and her loved ones behind. Her thoughts turned to the assurance she had in her Savior Jesus and how she wants you to know that she is safe in his arms. Her thoughts turned to heaven and what it would be like to be free of the pain and limitations of this world. And finally, her thoughts turned to her loved ones and how she longs for you to trust in Jesus so that your lives will be filled with the peace and joy that only He can bring. And as is fitting, to add a little levity, which she did so expertly, she requests specifically, that Michael turn his damn phone off. And with that, maybe check your phone to ensure that yours is off as well.

Pray with me.

This first song reflects Melinda’s trust in Jesus and her desire for you to know she is in her Savior’s arms.

Play: Scars in heaven

Scars in Heaven

Reading: John 20:24-29

John 20:24–29 ESV

24 Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.” 26 Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” 28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Melinda is with Jesus

Melinda believed in jesus as her Savior. She was one of those that Jesus called blessed. Blessed because although she did not see Jesus she knew Jesus. Along with her friend, Diane, Melinda was baptized as a young girl in this very church. For anyone who has walked with Jesus we have assurance of our faith by the filling of the Holy Spirit. Melinda did not pretend to live a perfect life. She had regrets, as we all do, and sometimes those regrets make us wish we had walked with Jesus more closely. Regardless of the path your life has taken Jesus has these words for you:

Ephesians 2:8–10 ESV

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Melinda was not saved by good works. She was not saved by her rapier wit or cunning dialogue. She was saved by faith in Jesus. Salvation is a gift and if you have not received it, I know now more than ever Melinda would want you to know Jesus. We, who know Jesus, are called to walk in the good works that He has prepared for us. It is a walk of humility from start to finish. He saves, He strengthens, He leads. Heaven is not a guarantee because we do good things but because we put our faith in a good God. Melinda had this faith and her hope is sure. Will you put your trust in Jesus today and receive the hope and peace that comes from life with Him?

Melinda is dancing and worshiping as she touches, hears, and sees Jesus in Heaven.

listen to this song that she chose for you to hear.

Play Dancing in the Sky

Dancing in the Sky

Melinda has gone on to be with Jesus. Even as she prepared for that journey she knew that we would be left with a feeling of emptiness. Death is not right. It is the ultimate reminder that our world is a broken place. It is why we look to heaven and why we need a savior.

In her final hours she was weak, too weak to even speak. She wouldn’t be able to stand in the kitchen and cook with friends one more time. She wouldn’t be able to go cruise with Gene on his motorcycle to catch that wind and sun one last time. But when her son Jeff called from Germany she mustered the strength to say one last time, “I love you”. So powerful was her love as a mother. And then, as a grandmother, her heart was filled and her eyes alight as she heard the voices of her grand kids. Not long after, she went home to be with Jesus. And she is dancing in the sky.

All she wanted for them and for you was happiness and joy. So she shares this final song with all of us.

Somewhere over the Rainbow