Obituary: KAU, MELANIE

Melanie Beard Kau 1965 ~ 2011December 21, 2011 marked the peaceful passing of Melanie Beard Kau after an eighteen month battle with cancer. Despite the challenges associated with her illness, she remained loving, patient, and filled with gratitude. She fulfilled her earthly mission surrounded by family, having touched many by her strong faith and courageous example. Melanie was born on February 24, 1965 in Murray, Utah to Melvin and Margaret Beard. She was raised in the suburbs of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and graduated from Upper Dublin High School in 1983. She graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in Fashion Merchandising in 1987. On September 5, 1987 she married her childhood sweetheart Jonathan Kau in the Salt Lake Temple. Her legacy includes four exceptional children and 24 memorable years as a devoted wife, mother, sister, and friend. She encouraged her family's involvement in art, sports, music, and church and could be relied upon for her laughter and enthusiasm. She was an avid runner and derived great pleasure from the rigors of a race or freedom of an open trail. She was beautiful, outgoing, energetic, unpretentious, and developed her own classy sense of style. She will continue as a role model of modesty and virtue to her daughters and the young women she loved to serve. She is survived by her husband Jonathan and four children, Keala, Kalani, Kai, and Kawena; sisters Chalice (Jim) Carpenter, Phoenix, AZ; Kim (Tim) Pannell, Provo, UT; DeLite (Carl) Clegg, Netcong, NJ; Collette (Carter) Tobin , Williston, ND; Michelle (Richard) Maxwell, Phoenix, AZ; Heidi (Adam) Barrett, Litchfield Park, AZ; and brothers Joseph Beard (Melissa), Phoenix, AZ; Todd Beard (Vicki), Tropic, UT; and Aaron Beard, Cedar City, UT. She is preceded in death by her parents Melvin and Margaret who were sure to welcome her in a heavenly reunion. The family wishes to thank the many neighbors and friends who were so attentive to Melanie's care and comfort, as well as the professionals at Intermountain Healthcare, Utah Valley Cancer Center, and Alpine Home Care & Hospice.There will be a viewing from 6:00-8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 28 at the Berg Mortuary, 185 East Center Street, Provo, and again from 9:30-10:30 a.m., Thursday, December 29, 2011 at the Edgemont Stake Center, 303 West 3700 North, Provo. Funeral Services will start at 11:00am. Interment: East Lawn Cemetery.