Melinda Malmgren, 51, died unexpectedly at her home, from a heart attack, Friday, July 29, 2011. She was born in Chelsea, Mass., March 1, 1960 to Peter S. Boyette and Patricia Williams-Boyette, and raised in Tampa, Fla.

Melinda grew up the youngest and only girl, having three older brothers in a very musical family. She started her family young. Mindy, as she was known to those who knew and loved her, believed that her children had the right to voice their opinions. They grew up knowing their thoughts and feelings were valued.

She was a very independent woman, who liked working in a “man’s world” as a finance manager, where she was fond of telling people that she was very good at “selling air.” She moved to Washington about 23 years ago and found the Island about 14 years ago. She fell in love with Whidbey Island and has lived here ever since. She met her husband, Jeff, in Oak Harbor, where they married and shared their love of sailing and gourmet cooking among other things. Every year she would take her grandchildren to donate to Toys for Tots and Meals for Families in Oak Harbor. She really enjoyed taking walks to City Beach and was very interested in current events in her community. She also felt very strongly about protecting the environment. She had just graduated on June 11 of this year from Skagit Valley College with a degree in office technology/business communications, and was Phi Theta Cappa. Mindy was very excited about the next chapter of her life; she was a source of strength for her family and will be missed by everyone whose lives she touched with her warmth, integrity and love.

Mindy is survived by her husband, Jeff Malmgren; her father, Peter Boyette; her brothers and sisters, Pat and Billie Boyette, and Mike and Terrie Boyette; her children, Melony and David Cunningham, Jennifer and Jose Ortiz, Ryan Whitehead and Sarah DeRushe;, her beloved grandchildren, Joseph Chance Thayer, Melanie Jeanne DeRushe’, Morgan Leigh DeRushe’, and Anthony William Cunningham; as well as her two cats, Swiffer and Enzo.

A memorial service for Mindy will be held for her loved ones on Sunday, Aug. 7 at 1 p.m., where the private scattering of her remains will take place in the waters that she loved surrounding Whidbey Island.

The family suggest memorials be made to either the Women’s Heart Foundation or the Alzheimer’s Association in Melinda’s name. Arrangements have been entrusted to Burley Funeral Chapel where friends may go online at www.burleyfuneralchapel.com to sign a guest book and leave memories for the family.