Melanie Michel Marie Bayless-Corkill died Aug. 5, 2002, at Whidbey General Hospital; she was 44.

She was born June 14, 1958, in Canton, Ohio, to Theodore and Gundrun (Drechsel) Bayless. Melanie’s mother was German and Melanie had dual citizenship with the United States and Germany.

Melanie spent several years living in Germany. She moved to Denver with her mother, where they spent 20 years. Her mother moved to Whidbey Island and in 1996, Melanie followed. She attended Skagit Valley College, Whidbey Campus, receiving her Associate of Arts degree in business. She worked for a time doing clerical work for a contractor for the Environmental Protection Agency. Melanie married James Corkill at their home in Oak Harbor July 28, 2001.

Melanie was an extremely loving, giving person. She believed in the metaphysical side of life. She was smart, but often appeared childlike. She loved to collect greeting cards and also enjoyed feeding the wild birds at her home.

Melanie is survived by her husband, Jim, at the family home, Oak Harbor; by her mother Gundrun Bayless of Coupeville; by one sister, Elvira Bayless of Everett; and one brother, Curt Bayless of Santa Cruz, Calif. She was preceded in death by one sister, Melissa Bayless, and by her father.

Melanie requested no formal funeral services be conducted. Cremation was held with private family services and inurnment. Arrangements are by Burley Funeral Chapel. This obituary may be seen on-line at http://burley.plan4ever.com .