Melanie (Miss Melle or Mama Hooty Tooty Wooties) Habener passed away suddenly on June 21, 2021 due to complications after a knee surgery she had back in December, her incision became infected, she just couldn't bounce back after months on very strong anti-biotics...all she wanted to do was to be able to walk again so she could be in the kitchen cooking her magic and making her famous "sauce" and chicken soup...She passed peacefully in her daughter's home, where she lived in Lompoc, surrounded by close family and friends. Melanie was born on August 27, 1944, in Winchester Massachutes to Sebastian and Theresa Giuliano. She married Don Habener on August 29, 1987; they were married 27 years before Don (Papa) passed away in 2014. Melle had four siblings, Salvatore Giuliano and wife Ginny, Marlena Nilsen and husband David, Melinda Trimble and Melissa Vicondoa and husband Chuck, 3 daughters, Kristie Stavoli-Wood and her husband Robert Wood, Kim Treaster and Shellie Sheehan and her husband John, 11 grandchildren, Stephanie, Kendal, Joseph and his wife Patty, Alison, Lilly, Jimmy, Nick, Tyler, Kaylynn, Calvin and Caleb and 4 great grandchildren, Aubrie, Amaiah, Layla and Jake, who all knew her as "Noni", they all adored her more than anything!

Melanie worked in the Aerospace industry at Vandenberg Air Force Base for many years, but her true passion was the time she spent doing events for the Air Force Association at VAFB, she was a true patriot who loved her country and military folks, she was dedicated to this organization for years and there was nobody better at what she did! Melle will always be remembered for her big hugs, her amazing smile, her beautiful blue eyes but most of all her BIG heart, she loved everyone, and everyone loved her...she's in heaven where she will have unlimited amounts of napkins, 1000 Island dressing, tomatoes, cans of whipped cream, all the Neil Diamond songs she wants to listen to and it will be Christmas all year long!

This verse from 2Timothy 4:7 sent to me by my sister Shellie really says it all about my beautiful mother... "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." She will be missed!!!