In Memoriam: Melinda (Meyer) Niemi ’69

Melinda (Meyer) Niemi ’69 died Jan. 8, 2022, at age 74. Growing up in Paradise and Stockton, Calif., Niemi met her husband, John Niemi ’68, while studying philosophy at Pacific University. After traveling during her husband’s military service, they settled in Stockton, Calif., where she completed her bachelor’s in philosophy and earned a master of arts in counseling. She worked as a high school crisis counselor at Grace Davis High School and taught in the counseling graduate program at Stanislaus State University. She later ran the Unitarian Church school, was involved with Children’s International Summer Village, and helped organize a Peace Village in Hayward, Calif. She earned the Susan B. Anthony Award for Religions Education in 1998.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Carolyn; and her sister, Diane Meyer. She is survived by her husband, John Niemi ’68; son Reed; daughter-in-law Sheli; and two granddaughters.