Passed Away On: December 4, 2021
Melissa Liane Escobar: October 26, 1961- December 4, 2021
Melissa Liane Escobar of Placerville, daughter of Vernon C. Escobar of Hollister, passed away peacefully in Placerville, California, at age 60.
Melissa spent many summers and holidays in Hollister with her Botelho cousins and her grandparents, Mary (Botelho) and Oliver Hill. She owned Hangtown Sweep, a chimney cleaning service in Placerville for 25 years. Realizing she wouldn’t be able to climb roofs forever, in her early 50’s she fulfilled her long-held dream of becoming a nurse and attended Sacramento State University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in 2013, with Honors.
She worked in various healthcare settings, with her final employment being as a coordinator of hospice care. “Missi” had a beautiful smile, a brave heart, and a curious mind. She was the Chairperson of the El Dorado County Home and Garden Show for ten years, and a Team Leader of the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Team for 35 years. She also participated for many years in the “Highway 50 Association”, a non-profit organization of horse and wagon enthusiasts dedicated to preserving history by reenacting the “Great Western Migration”.
Melissa may also have been the only person to have ever sung the Helen Reddy song, “Delta Dawn”, from the altar area of Mission San Juan Bautista, a song she sang in honor of her Uncle William “Bill” Bengard, at his 2002 funeral. Melissa is survived by her sister, Aleta Martin, her brother-in-law, Tim Martin, nephew Gabe Justinich, cousins Tim, Gail, Karen and Lynn (Kropp) Bengard and Eric Kropp, step-brother Bonsok Escobar, cousin Joel Portnoy and her partner, Michael Matus.