Felicia Melero Hozinger Obituary (1935

Surrounded by flowers, books, and the many collections she had amassed over her lifetime, Felicia Melero Holtzinger died at home on Tuesday, January 8, 2013. Her son David was by her side each day throughout her final year. Thus was completed a life that saw much happiness, the inevitable periods of pain and loss, and, perhaps, most importantly, the enrichment of the lives of the people around her and of the many local charitable organizations she loved and nurtured. Felicia Melero was born in Yakima, Washington on November 21, 1935; the daughter of Felix and Vivian Melero. Her father was a Basque sheepherder, and the family spent its summers in the mountains with the flocks. Throughout her life, Felicia would remember those days whenever she saw sunlight through canvas or smelled fresh pine boughs. Her lifelong passion for art could be predicted in her endless childhood enjoyment in a basket of colored ribbons or the excitement she showed when her first grade teacher gave her a box of colored crayons and opened her eyes to the potential of creating art. She was graduated from Yakima High School, attended the University of Washington, and received her BA degree in elementary arts education from Central Washington University. After her marriage to Charles Holtzinger, she moved to Japan where Charlie was serving in the US Air Force. There she learned the art of Japanese flower arranging, took classes in other aspects of Japanese life, and thoroughly took advantage of all the opportunities afforded by living in a foreign country. Returning to Yakima in 1960, she immediately lent her artistic and organizational talents to many local charities through actual material assistance rather than being only a joiner'. From 1960 until shortly before her death, she was a pivotal player in a wide range of special events, exhibits, projects, and activities that either raised charitable dollars for, or the public visibility of, local causes. These included, in 1963 for the Yakima Auxiliary of the Seattle Children's Orthopedic Hospital, one of the first wine-tasting benefits in Yakima; an annual poster production and an Arabian Nights Fantasy on Naches Heights for the Yakima Symphony Orchestra, an annual quilt raffle, uniquely themed gourmet dinners, and special exhibits for the Yakima Valley Museum; receptions and programs at Allied Arts; all the original illustrations for the Junior League of Yakima cookbook, helping the Yakima Valley Memorial Foundation get is start in an office she furnished and decorated, and even coordinating the temporary grassing over of A Street for a United Way Foundation party. She also enjoyed her long-time membership in the Yakima Valley Antiquarians, her service on the Sundown M Ranch Board of Directors, her term on the Maryhill Museum Board of Trustees, and her support of the Union Gospel Mission. In addition to these more established charities, Felicia was also one of the first to embrace organizations that were responding to new needs in the Yakima Valley. These included Planned Parenthood, the Triumph Treatment Center for Substance Abuse, and AIDS patient care groups. In this same vein, she saw the potential in individuals before the general population recognized their talent, whether that talent was painting, arts management, or event execution. The result was the assembling of friends from many walks of life. Among the honors she received for her charitable work are Junior League Sustainer of the Year, 50-year Service to the Yakima Auxiliary of the Seattle Children's Orthopedic Hospital, the Larson Gallery Award recognizing outstanding achievement in the arts, and, for three years, the Warehouse Theatre's Award for best costume design (even though her palette was confined to fabric glue and duct tape rather than needle and thread). Within her circle of family and close friends, there were many memorable moments, including the decade of annual fly-ins to the Johnny Appleseed Ranch in the Okanogan. There her extensive collection of heirloom quilts was put to use for everything from wall hangings and bed coverings to picnic tablecloths on the grass. Great house parties were the norm for many years. In fact, when her home, which was way out in the country on Scenic Drive when it was built in 1970, hosted a housewarming, chickens, piglets, and baby goats were among the guests. Over the past decade, Felicia and Gene Shields developed a close relationship that was instigated by their matchmaking sonsBrian Holtzinger and Bill Shields. These years were extremely special to her. Gene and Felicia forged a terrific bond, shared travel to, among other places, Russia, Finland, and Portugal, and were together almost daily for dinner, conversations, and fun experiences. Throughout her life, Felicia was the person who recognized beauty in objects in her surroundings, and understood that beauty (as well as matching accessories, of course) could make a difference. One of her favorite illustrations of this point was made by a homeless man at the Union Gospel Mission, where she had provided flower arrangements for each table for one Thanksgiving dinner. The fellow told her that just because he was poor, that did not mean he did not appreciate beautiful things. Her skill at putting the most expensive treasures and the flea market finds together to the mutual advantage of each end remains legendary. She was among those most saddened by the demise of Liquidation World in downtown Yakima; after all, where else could one find 24 identical multi-colored bottles at an affordable price and absolutely perfect to anchor the centerpieces on the tables at an upcoming local benefit. She is survived by three sons; C. Mark (Sara) Holtzinger and Brian (Joy) Holtzinger of Yakima; and David of Palm Springs, California; five grandchildren, Carly, Christy, and Christian Holtzinger, Hailee and Nick Kinzel; three brothers; Bill (Debbi) Splawn, Ben (Patti) Splawn, and David (Dari) Melero; and two sisters Dolly Splawn and Juanita Mellom. Her sister Anita (Deannie) Conrad preceded her in death. A celebration of her life will be held in the spring, when the flowers are blooming and the grass is green, after her inurnment in Grandview, Washington. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the NEH Endowment Challenge Fund at the Yakima Valley Museum, 2105 Tieton Drive, Yakima, WA 98902. Felicia is now enjoying wonderful times with Gene Shields and all her old friends in a place where the flowers are eternal, the tablecloths always reach the floor, and no one ever calls her Fe-lee-sha.