Norma Iris Melendez-Nieves

It is with sadness in our hearts that we announce the passing of Norma Iris Rivera Meléndez, 78, of Ponce, Puerto Rico. Mom passed away at the Rebecca Fortney Inpatient Hospice Care Center, near her home in Hanover, Maryland, that she shared with José Antonio Meléndez Nieves, her husband of 64 years. Mom was a loving stay-home mom and devoted wife who supported our father through his 20-year military career, including a Vietnam combat tour and numerous military moves. She served in various roles in the Church of God such as lay minister, local and regional coordinator for women and children’s ministries, and first lady of several Spanish churches.

Mom is survived by our father José, 83, and three living children: Dr. José Meléndez, DBA, who lives with his wife, Mabel, in El Paso, Texas; Dr. Joshua Meléndez, PhD, who lives with his wife, Ashley, and three children in Monrovia, Maryland; and Mrs. Eunice (Meléndez) Deras, who lives with her husband, Mauricio, in Laurel, Maryland. Mom was preceded in death by our oldest sister, Mrs. Lorraine (Meléndez) Jasso, and great-granddaughter, Mariah (Meléndez) Richardson. 

Mom was also preceded in death by her parents: Mr. Rafael Rivera and Mrs. Raquel Quintana Rivera, and three siblings: Mrs. Miriam Fanos, Mrs. Estrella Jacobs, and Mr. Rafael Rivera Jr. She is survived by five sisters: Ms. Sonia Mionskowski (Chicago), Ms. Judy Torres (Florida), Ms. Millie Aviles (Nevada), Ms. Ramona Knight (New Jersey), and Ms. Grace Davis (New York). Mom was a loving grandmother to 13 grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren.

There will be an open-casket viewing from 3:00 – 5:00 pm on Saturday, August 10th, at the River of Life Worship Center, 8232 Redmiles Lane, Odenton, Maryland 21113. Immediately following, we will honor her with a celebration of life service from 5:00 – 7:00 pm, close-casket, at the same location. Additionally, we will have a viewing at Singleton Funeral and Cremation Services, 1 2nd Ave SW, Glen Burnie, Maryland 21061, on Monday, August 12th, from 11 am to 12:45 pm. We will lay her to rest at the Crownsville Veterans Cemetery, 1080 Sunrise Beach Road, Crownsville, Maryland 21032, on Monday, August 12th, at 1:45 pm.

Contributions may be made to the Hospice of the Chesapeake, www.hospicechesapeake.org