Obituary of Melissa Worland

Melissa Kay Israel Worland, 43, passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 13, at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Tucson. She was a devoted wife and mother, and she loved her English bulldogs, Winston and Gracie. Her greatest desire was to brighten people’s lives, which she did with a vengeance. Creativity bubbled out of her like a fountain. Her greatest artistic outlet was her crocheting. Many people are blessed to have an afghan, a throw or a cute little stuffed animal that she made. She was a gifted puppeteer and improv artist, both of which talents she combined to create “Felicity”, her outspoken purple unicorn puppet. Melissa’s grandparents, Ernest and Jean Israel, and Calvin and Helen Lehman preceded her in death. She is survived by her husband, Patrick, and two children, JoAnnah Bartos of Tucson and Jacob Bartos of Parkers Prairie, Minnesota. She is also survived by her father, David Israel, of Parkers Prairie, Minnesota, and her mother, Debby Bonbrake, of Fort Wayne, Indiana; and her sister, Pamela Israel of Tucson, as well as stepparents, several aunts, uncles and cousins and many friends. A celebration of her life (or, as she called it, a FUNeral) will be held Saturday, May 19, 2018 at 11:00 am in the chapel of Angel Valley Funeral home, 2545 N. Tucson Blvd. in Tucson, with entombment following at Holy Hope Cemetery, 3555 N. Oracle Road. A Go Fund Me Account has been set up in her name. Please follow the link below. gofundme.com/melissa-worland.