Melinda Mae Price

Melinda Mae (Drexler) Price, 81, of St. Augustine, FL, passed away peacefully on April 28, 2023, at Flagler Hospital ICU after several weeks at St. Augustine Health and Rehabilitation. Melinda was born and raised near Pittsburgh, PA, and graduated from Penn State University in 1963 with a degree in Art Education, which was her passion. She taught for 20 years in Central PA where she met and married her husband and started a family. In 1982, given their courageous and somewhat impulsive natures, they moved to Orlando, FL, with two young children, a dog, and no jobs. The good news was that it was a success! Melinda and her family enjoyed 26 years in Central Florida where Melinda taught in Orange County. She was recognized repeatedly for her innovation and creativity in the classroom, winning Teacher of the Year in 1992, 1993, 1997, 1998 and 2004; and the Florida Elementary Art Educator of the Year in 2002. Her dedication and passion were known and loved by all. She touched the lives of countless children in 46 years, opening their eyes, hearts, and minds to creativity and expression. So many times in her life she would run into adults who would stop her in public to excitedly recount how meaningful she was to their childhood passions. These encounters gave her incredible delight. Melinda was selfless in sharing her talents by creating large and elaborate sets for all school productions, assisted by a team of students, as well as dozens of Vacation Bible School sets for church summer programs. When she and her husband retired to St. Augustine, FL, in 2008, Melinda quickly became involved in volunteering at a local school’s reading tutor program, at her church, and within her community as “director of fun” by planning events for the Coquina Crossing neighborhood. Melinda also illustrated a children’s book, Flying on Granny Wings, by Portia Warner. Melinda’s larger-than-life personality made her an engaging Grammy to her grandchildren, whom she unbiasedly reported were the four most perfect and brilliant children to ever take a human breath (“it’s not exaggerating if its true!”). Melinda was blessed with the gift of hospitality. She and her husband always loved hosting large gatherings in their homes, but her gift of making people feel at home traveled with her where ever she went. She never met a stranger and struck up conversations anywhere, anytime, with anyone. Her sharp wit and engaging charisma gained her a large group of loving and close friends and a very active social life. She and her husband were blessed to travel extensively with friends and loved spending time with family. Melinda is survived by her husband, Donald D. Price; children, Evette M. Nowicki (Joe) and Matthew D. Price (Ashley); grandchildren Joseph D. Nowicki, David P. Nowicki, Jack P. Price, and Lincoln M. Price; her twin brother Elliott M. Drexler; and many nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by parents Edward and Geraldine Drexler. The family would like to extend deep gratitude to the spectacular staff at St. Augustine Health and Rehab, as well as the compassionate and caring SICU team at Flagler Hospital. Services will be held at St. John’s Family Funeral Home on May 13, at 4pm, Carolyn Westlake officiating. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Melinda’s name to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital or to the Wounded Warrior Project. Those unable to attend can view the service live streamed at https://iframe.dacast.com/live/2a7a09ae1c0559a83ef537e05e6a14a6/2aae7d5f-98fd-a9e6-32a7-b774547cf42c

Melinda Mae Price

December 17, 1941 - April 28, 2023