Melissa Gonthier

Melissa Smith Gonthier, age 36, of Henderson, NV passed peacefully into the arms of her loving Heavenly Father on March 11, 2015. Melissa was born on February 5, 1979 in Richland, WA. She was the daughter of Richard and Crystal Smith. She married Richard Garth Gonthier on August 8, 1998 in the Las Vegas, NV Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS).

In 1997 Melissa graduated from Chaparral High School in Las Vegas, NV. She later graduated from the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV). She was a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and received her Young Woman medallion. While in high school she went to 4 years of Seminary and graduated as a Senior. Melissa was a wonderful wife and mother who loved to engage in long conversations with her family. She was an exceptional cook. She loved to read. She read Pride and Prejudice multiple times, as well as other books including Les Miserables, The Hobbit and the works of Charles Dickens among many other authors. She taught her boys and husband to love to read as well. Melissa loved the scriptures, and read them daily. She had a beautiful voice and loved to sing. It was not uncommon to listen to her sing while in the kitchen cooking or doing other household activities. Both she and Garth sang in the Las Vegas Institute Choir.

Melissa often reflected on the years she lived in Roswell, New Mexico. She loved the farm life and the peace and beauty of nature. She was active in the PTA at Newton Elementary School during her children's younger years. Most recently she was a great support for her son Sam (age 12/7th grader) as a Member of the Mannion Middle School Advanced Choir, Honor Choir and now All-State Choir. Her son, Ken (age 14/9th grader) received a lot of encouragement and support as a member of the Foothill High School Marching Band. Melissa was also involved in the Young Women's program of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. She loved working with the teenagers. She remembered her own teenage years and she proved to be a great example to the girls she loved. She was a cowgirl at heart, and would have preferred to live in a country setting instead of a large city.

Melissa is survived by her husband Garth Gonthier of Henderson, NV; two children Kenneth Daniel Gonthier and Samuel David Gonthier, both of Henderson, NV; mother Crystal Smith of Clinton, UT; father & mother-in-law Henri & Claudia Gonthier of Henderson, NV; sisters Jannifer of Sedona, AZ; Estelle of Las Vegas, NV; Amanda of Las Vegas, NV; brother Richard Smith of Clinton, UT; sister-in-law Andrena (Rocco) Gonthier-Palmieri of Clearwater, FL; brother-in- law Kevin Gonthier of Clearwater, FL. She is preceded in death by her father Richard Smith.

Funeral services will take place on Wednesday, March 18, 2015 at 4:00pm at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Chapel, 1500 Amador Lane, Henderson, NV. Visitation will be held prior to the services starting at 3:00 pm. Burial will follow the services at the Boulder City Cemetery, 501 Adams Boulevard, Boulder City, NV. Memorial donations can be made at any Wells Fargo office to the Melissa Gonthier Memorial Account. Family and friends can sign an online memorial guestbook at www.bouldercityfamilymortuary.com