Melinda Gale Elingburg Riveiro
February 7, 1978 ~ March 12, 2026
Born in:
Asheville, North Carolina
Resided in:
Hendersonville, North Carolina
Asheville Butterfly Trail“All grown-ups were once children…but only few of them remember it.” – Antoine de Saint-Exupèry
On February 7, 1978 at 3:33 am, on the third rock from the sun, on the coldest day of the year, a gentle creature was born by the wind of the Blue Ridge Mountains and given to Jan and Rick Elingburg to love and name – Melinda Gale Elingburg.
At first she seemed much like other infants, hungering only for food and sleep, but soon it was noticed…she needed songs and yellow flowers; to put her hands in paint and softball gloves, and dinner – whatever was alive and warranted exploration.
She was a traveler. By books when still, or to know other centuries. By planes and trains across Europe; often across North Carolina’s mountains to coast, and the Piedmont, too, where she got her Bachelor’s and Master’s of Linguistics at NC State University.
Possessed of many gifts from a brilliant intellect to a pitcher’s arm, there was little she could not do (except tell you about it.) Such was her belief in equality, she never once accepted that she was special (though thousands of us knew it.)
She cared for and defended everyone, with the gentlest of footrubs, or her fists – if absolutely necessary. Melinda was many things to many people. Daughter, Sister, Wife, Friend, The Sun, Auntie, Advocate, Gardener, Animal whisperer, World’s best editor & dancer…
But the most beloved of these was mother to Raymond. Melinda was tender and doting, and fiercely committed to learning and nutrition. She brought child-like curiosity to her special blend of academic and magician parenting.
And while she spent most of her life avoiding things like Star Wars, as soon as Raymond became interested, she learned as much as any fan. She loved learning about what we all loved.
In the end, even cancer could not diminish her beauty or the enormity of her heart. To be held by her aqua eyes or rest within her orbit, was to know acceptance as (usually) only a very small child can. She grew up, but she did not forget, or lessen her wonder.
She was preceded in death by her grandparents; Noel and Mary Joan Calloway and Raymond and Mary Ann Elingburg and mother-in-law, Denise Herris.
Melinda ended her earthly journey on 12 March 2026 at 6:16 PM. She is survived by her son, Raymond; spouse, Greg Riveiro; her parents, Rick and Jan Elingburg; brother, Greg Elingburg and his wife, Claire and their son, Miles; cousins, aunts, uncles, her special Grammy Pammy and Uncle Tom, as well as her God children, Henri, Amèlie and Jack Rèmy Orrand; special friends, Cristel Orrand and Kent Dezendorf, many friends, and an entire elementary school of kids to whom she was affectionately known as “Mango.”
Well known for her giving spirit, the family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the causes she gave endlessly to: Bruce Drysdale Elementary School and St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.
A celebration of Melinda’s life will be held at Point Lookout Winery on Sunday, March 15, 2026 from 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm to enjoy a beautiful sunset in her honor.
A private family service will take place at Topsail Island at a later date.
Services
Celebration of Life: March 15, 2026 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Point Lookout Vineyards
408 Appleola Rd
Hendersonville, NC 28792
(828)808-8923
https://pointlookoutvineyards.com/
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I was so honored to know and love this beautiful young lady. Thank you to Jan, Rick and family for letting me sing to her on Tuesday. Melinda is a very special person in our lives. Love you all!
Rick and family we are so sorry to hear this. She will surely be missed by not only her family but by all that knew her. Kenny and Linda Reed.
Jan, I did not know Melinda but I did know you through my girls and the dentistry. My heart breaks for you and your family and my prayers go for you!
My heart aches for Raymond, who like his mother is one of a kind and will always remember the love his sweet mama had for him. Raymond, please know you are in my thoughts and prayers during this incredibly difficult time.
I feel blessed to have known such a wonderful woman and mother. She will be missed by all who had the joy of meeting and knowing her.
A beautiful soul gone too soon. We love you and are praying for you all!
Rick and Jan our hearts go out to you. Please know you are in our prayers. Your daughter was a wonderful person. God
Be with you.
Dear friends Rick and Jan What a beautiful child of God Melinda is. Gone from you physically but present with the Lord. May God tenderly hold your loving but hurting hearts in His gentle hands. We see through the glass dimly now, but one day we will see clearly God’s plan. Love and prayers
Rick and family you will be in our prayers So sorry for your loss .
A beautiful and talented young woman. She helped me by editing a book. Rick and Jan, I am so sorry. It just isn’t right to lose a child. Thinking of both.
Cousin Rick and your beautiful wife Jan we hold you in our hearts that are broken at the loss of Melinda. Find comfort in all the memories and reach out anytime you need to.
Jan & Rick,
I’m so sorry to hear of your precious daughters passing. What beautiful obituary and what sounds like a beautiful well lived life. Keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers.
Ruth Carr Dempsey
Rick… I am deeply saddened to learn of your daughter’s passing and will keep you close in thought and prayer during this time of loss and adjustment. While I know how much you will miss her presence, I know you are grateful for the many blessings of the wonderful years you shared together, and that you can take solace in knowing that someday you will be reunited. I trust that peace from the memories of love shared comfort you now and will continue so in the days ahead. While words seem very inadequate to convey my sorrow, I offer my heartfelt condolence to you and other family members.
Melinda we had so much fun playing softball together in high school and so many silly times on the bus or before practice. Our silly little songs! I always asked about you when I would see your dad at the farms market.
I’m sending love and prayers to your family and son ❤️
Praying for you and all the family on the loss of your beautiful daughter, Melinda. Sending you love, peace and comfort. ❤️🙏
So sorry for your loss
Rick and Jan I am so sorry to hear of Melinda’s passing. I will hold you and your family in my prayers.
Melinda had such a sweet and gentle spirit. She had a smile on her face and was always willing to help children less fortunate. She was a student that brought joy to her teacher’s hearts. Please accept my deepest sympathy. May her light shine on through her son and all her loved ones. Peace to the family.
Rick and Jan, my thoughts and prayers are with you. May all the memories of your precious daughter sustain you.
We never had the pleasure of meeting your beautiful girl, but genetics being what they are we know she was amazing, beautiful, kind, and a precious gift on this Earth. Praying for you all endlessly. What a beautiful legacy she leaves behind in Raymond. We know she’s dancing with the angels . Love you all so much!
Jan and Rick. I am devastated to hear of Melinda’s passing. No parent should lose a child and no child should lose his parent at such a young age. My heart breaks for you. Praying that God will wrap his arms around the entire family as you go through this sad time. Although I never met Melinda, she sounds like such a beautiful person and will be missed. Love to you all. ❤️
I am so deeply sorry for your loss. My heart breaks for your family. Sending love and prayers to all of you during this incredibly difficult time. I remember Melinda when Greg and I were kids. She loved her little brother!
Jan, Rick and family, I am so sorry for your loss. I know that your heart is broken and hurting. As a child of God, we know that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord, and can you just imagine how wonderful that is for Melinda to be held in the arms of Jesus! As believers, we also have the assurance that we will see our loved ones again, thanks be to God! I continue to pray for our loving God to give each of you the peace, comfort and strength that only He can.
Raymond, Jan, Rick, and Greg I am praying for you all and sending my deepest condolences. We love you.
Losing a child is one of the hardest times to ever experience. May the lords hands guide you through this difficult time.
Love, thoughts and prayers
Our deepest sympathies to all your family – so sorry for a beautiful life cut short! Love to you & yours
Jan and Rick, I am so sorry to hear of Melinda’s passing. Prayers for comfort for all of you.
Stuart and I are so very heartbroken over the loss of your beautiful beloved Melinda. I know she is at peace now….she struggled too long.
Jan and Rick sorry to see the passing of your daughter.Praying for God to comfort you at this difficult time.
Sorry for your loss – my deepest condolence
Jan and family,
I just saw this on Facebook. We send our most sincere condolences and prayers to you and your family. May God bless and comfort you through this, and give you strength for the future.
Thoughts and prayers! Much love to you and your family ! May you feel Gods Amazing New Grace !
Hugs my sweet friend!
We were so sorry to hear about Melinda‘s passing. She was a classmate of Chris and Christy through the years and Estes., Valley Springs and Roberson
They shared many happy times at birthdays, sleepovers, and school events
May God bless and grant you peace and happy memories of this very precious child
Love you!!
Ron and Louise Brown
My heart breaks for you now. I pray as God holds you close that the memories will hold you close as well. Remembering her laughter, of yourself doing something that reminds you of the times you spent together and of the love you shared. Such a beautiful soul will leave a trail of beautiful memories.
I love you dear ones…
My heart breaks for you now. I pray as God holds you close that the memories will hold you close as well. Remembering her laughter, of yourself doing something that reminds you of the times you spent together and of the love you shared. Such a beautiful soul will leave a trail of beautiful memories.
I love you dear ones…
I never knew your sweet Melinda but I’m sure she was lovely like you Jan ,
I don’t know the right words to say but I know that your faith will keep you going , without that we are all lost .
Ronnie and Lindsey in I hold you and Rick and Raymond in our hearts with prayer .
Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted.”
Love you ,
Ronnie and Susan and Lindsey 🙏
Sending my deepest sympathies during this difficult time. Melissa’s obituary so eloquently written🌸 Though Melissa’s life was cut short, her life’s journey sounds as though she lived life more than those that have lived a long life.
May your baby girl dance with the angels 🪽🌸🪽🌸
Rick and family,
Sorry to hear about the passing of Melinda. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
My deepest condolences.
Though her time here was far too short, the kindness she gave, the laughter she shared, and the love she poured into everyone around her will keep echoing in our lives. We will miss her deeply, but we are grateful for the memories she gave us so freely.
One day Raymond will hear the many stories about his mother and be reminded what a truly remarkable woman she was. In every one of those stories, he will find her strength, her warmth, and her beautiful spirit.
Mel left this world far too soon, but she left it brighter than she found it. She will always be remembered with love.
Jan and Rick, I am so sorry to learn of Melinda’s death. Knowing that she’s no longer in pain and in Jesus’ loving arms brings comfort but still, the hole in your hearts must be so painful. You are in my prayers, my friend.
I cannot know your pain of losing a child but my heart breaks for you and your family. Praying for God’s comfort & peace through this unbearable time
Rick, Jan and Greg: We are so very sorry for the loss of your beautiful daughter and sister. Her life, though far too short, was certainly well-lived. She had an impact on so many people. We are keeping you close in thought and prayer.
Jan and Rick, so very sorry our world has lost, not only another Elingburg, but also a free loving spirit.
My deepest condolences.