Melinda J. (Brown) Vondracek

Melinda “Linny” or “Gaga”(Brown) Vondracek, age 68 of Wayne, NY, passed away Wednesday, February 5, 2025 at Bampa’s House in Corning, NY after her second courageous battle with cancer. She was surrounded by her loving family and close friends. Melinda was born on December 13, 1956 in Elmira, NY daughter of the late Hubert “Brownie” and Helen (Sutter) Brown.  She was a graduate of Southside High School and continued her studies at Elmira College where she received a Bachelor’s Degree in Education. Melinda was first and foremost a mother. Besides her own two children, she was mother to her nieces, nephews, grandnieces, colleagues, and many more. She gave her motherly love freely, which in turn, made her loved by so many. This spilled over into her work as a time-honored preschool teacher and teacher mentor at Chemung Valley Montessori School.  She continued to serve children, families, and teachers at Head Start.  Melinda enjoyed spending time with her family and a host of life-long friends, teaching water classes at the Elmira Y, Zumba, volunteering for Meals on Wheels, cooking, entertaining, and traveling. She grew up in Elmira, then moved to Pine City where she raised her family in the country. but her favorite place, and her eternal home is her cottage on Waneta Lake. She is survived by her husband Dale Vondracek of Wayne, NY, son and daughter-in-law Jesse Vondracek and Amy Cole of Switzerland, daughter and son-in-law Annie and Mike Tassie of Massena, NY, two granddaughters, Frankie Vondracek, Hayden Tassie, her sister Cheryl and Jim DePaul of Elmira, NY, her brother-in-law David and Anne Vondracek as well as several nieces, great-nieces, nephews, and cousins. Melinda was predeceased by her parents, her brother Stephen Brown, and her sister Candy Zucker, as well as her in-laws, Frank and Betty Vondracek. All of these people had a tremendous impact on her life. Family and friends are invited to call from 1 PM  to 3 PM on Saturday, February 22, 2025 at the Olthof Funeral Home, 1050 Pennsylvania Avenue, Elmira, NY 14904. A Celebration of Life will take place at 3 PM on June 22, 2025 at the family home on Waneta Lake, 9510 Way Mandalay.  Please follow the family (Dale, Jesse & Annie on Facebook etc) on social media for updates on the celebration. In lieu of flowers please make donations to; www.info-komen.org/goto/melindavondracek because no life should end in suffering, or to Bampas House, 170 East First Street, Corning, NY 14830.