Frantz, Melanie M

Melanie “Mimi” Frantz was born on a sweltering summer day on Friday, July 13th, 1984 to her parents Rick and Dixie Frantz in Houston, Texas. Around three months old, she was diagnosed with cerebral palsy. Though she was slow to grow and develop physically, Mimi had a deep emotional and social intelligence from an early age. She connected to everyone around her with smiles and hugs, and the power of those hugs reached far beyond her physical limitations.

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Mimi received excellent care through the years from countless physical and occupational therapists, dedicated teachers and special education staff, summer camp staff, and then when she reached adulthood, the caregivers and educators at The Village Learning and Achievement Center and Stoney Glen. One of the highlights of her week was attending Mass at St. Martha Catholic Church, where she most enjoyed giving out her famous hugs to priests and parishioners.

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Supporting and encouraging Mimi through every single moment, through the heart-wrenching surgeries and the small, quiet developmental victories, were her parents.  Rick and Dixie overcame many hardships while giving Mimi the best possible life, ensuring Mimi could encounter the Kingwood community as much as possible.  These little encounters each day produced enormous effects, both on Mimi’s life and the lives of those who encountered her unrestrained joy toward them. 

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Her little brother Ricky and older sister Katie consider themselves truly blessed to have participated in Mimi’s life. Despite her limited mobility and ability to communicate, Mimi taught them the value of sacrifice, patience, joy, family, and so much more. As kids growing up, these were hard lessons to understand and learn, but Mimi’s impact on Ricky and Katie will extend to their families as a model for faith, hope, and love.

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It is our collective wish that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Village Learning and Achievement Center (www.villagelac.com).