Melissa Jane Whyte, painter, horticulturalist

Melissa Jane Whyte, 62, of Rehoboth Beach, passed away Sunday, Jan. 15, 2017, with her family by her side.

Born in Wilmington, Melissa attended high school in Severna Park, Md., and the University of Texas in Austin where she studied dance. She raised her sons in West Milford, N.J., and Severna Park before moving to Rehoboth Beach in 2002 with her parents.

Melissa was a devoted mother and daughter who committed her life to her family. She was a talented painter and an avid horticulturalist, having worked in a Severna Park nursery and cared for plants most of her life.

Melissa taught at the Sussex Family YMCA in Rehoboth and cared for her parents in their home in the Villages of Old Landing in North Rehoboth. She enjoyed cooking, gardening, walking her dog and doting on her grandson.

Melissa is survived by her parents, Kenneth Gordon Pyle and Fannie Mozell Pyle; her sons Jesse Arin Whyte (Maggie Ann Beetz) and Kristoffer Sean Whyte; grandson Declan Ryder Whyte; and her beloved Schnauzer Pokey.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday, Jan. 19, at Parsell Funeral Homes and Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, 16961 Kings Highway, Lewes, where friends may visit beginning at 9:30 a.m. There will be a wake at the Meadows at the Villages of Old Landing Community Center directly following services.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Lupus Foundation of America, 2121 K Str. NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20037-1830.

Please visit Melissa's Life Memorial Webpage and sign her online guestbook at www.parsellfuneralhomes.com.