MELINDA MAY LEFEVRE
BROOKFIELD – Melinda May (Abrams) LeFevre (42), of Brookfield, NY, passed away on January 18, 2014. Her sudden departure to heaven is cause for much sorrow—for Mindy was truly a caring and compassionate friend, teacher, loving wife, mother, daughter, and sister. Yet Mindy leaves a strong legacy of joy, laughter, and happiness for all who had the privilege of knowing this remarkable woman.
Mindy was born in Norwich, NY, on December 3, 1971, to Gail Edward Abrams and the late Ida May (Tuttle) Abrams. Mindy’s hobbies included volunteering as a deaconess and treasurer at Berean Baptist Church in New Berlin, NY. She also liked coloring, finding bargains at garage sales, the excitement of an auction, and spending time around the table playing board games with the family. Mindy and her husband, James Dean, also enjoyed antique cars and taking leisurely rides in their 1930s Chrysler “Mr. Magoo.” Mindy was a loving and devoted mother, and this was clearly evident in her taking her son, Dean, to fun activities like horseback riding, swimming, and splashing around at the waterpark.
Mindy graduated from Brookfield Central School in Brookfield, NY. She attended Cedarville College in Ohio earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education. Later she received her Master’s degree in Special Education from SUNY New Paltz. Mindy taught at Trinity Christian School in Richfield Springs, NY, and Holmesville Christian Academy in Holmesville, NY, before becoming a Special Education teacher at Unadilla Valley Central School in 2002. In 2003, Mindy was awarded the honor of being Walmart’s Teacher-of-the-Year. On August 15, 2003, Mindy married James Dean LeFevre at Berean Baptist Church in New Berlin, NY.
Surviving are her husband of ten years, James Dean LeFevre, and her loving son Dean James, Brookfield, NY. Also surviving are her father, Gail Edward Abrams (Mindy was definitely daddy’s girl), Brookfield, NY; her two brothers, Gail Edward Abrams II, Brookfield, NY, and Gerald E. Abrams and sister-in-law Rachel (Wainwright) Abrams (nephews Tag, Chase, Dash, and Jet Abrams), Vestal, NY. Her father and mother-in-law, Donald and Darlene LeFevre, Karns City, PA, brothers-in-laws, Donald LeFevre Jr. and Joseph LeFevre, Karns City, PA, and sister Lisa and brother-in-law Alex Kulin IV (nephews and nieces Alex V, Bryce, Janae, and Kylee Kulin). Her maternal grandmother Elizabeth Perry Tuttle and paternal grandmother Beatrice Pudney Abrams Tuttle. Also numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins survive Mindy.
Mindy was predeceased by her mother and best friend, Ida May Abrams, maternal grandfather Kenneth James Tuttle Sr., and paternal grandfather Edward John Abrams.
Donations, in Mindy’s memory, are appreciated and should be made to Berean Baptist Church, New Berlin, NY. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, January 22, 2014 at 5:00 pm at Berean Baptist Church (18 Genesee Street, New Berlin, NY). Visitation will be from 3:00 until 5:00 pm prior to the service. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Paul Funeral Home of Brookfield.
May the love and joy of Mindy’s life cause us to cherish our dear ones ever more passionately. And may Mindy’s example of service to others and to her heavenly Father remind us to selflessly love one another, because He first loved us.