You don't choose your family. They are God's gift to you, as you are to them.  Devoted partner, mother, grandmother and friend, Melanie A. Maynard passed away peacefully on April 13,2026 encircled by the love and comfort of her beloved family. She was born on September 23,1961 to the late Donald and Nancy (Vibbert) Darbe in Hartford CT and later relocated to Agawam where she spent her youth and was educated. Melanie was designed for the role of mother and welcomed her three children with excitement and enthusiasm. She was naturally inclined to nurture and created a warm, loving environment for her children where she instilled in them the important values in life. Blessed with a friendly demeanor and excellent communication skills, she held various positions in the restaurant industry over the years. As much as she enjoyed interaction with people her priority was always her family. And as her grandchildren arrived Melanie took great pride in them and became a part of their lives. Recently her daughter Katie married her long-time partner Josh O'Brien at her beside which was very special to her. Her illness took her far too soon, but her legacy will live on forever. She loved her family unconditionally and her life was complete.
Surviving Melanie is her devoted partner Dwayne Montminy and her loving children, Amy Maynard and her partner Raul Vasquez and Katie O'Brien and her husband Josh. To cherish her memory, she leaves her cherished grandchildren, Bianca, Michael, Mikayla, and Madison. She will be greatly missed by her extended family of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Sadly, she was predeceased by her husband Michael Maynard and her daughter Melissa.
Visitation with her family will be held on Tuesday April 21, 2026, at the Agawam Funeral Home 184 Main Street beginning at 4 concluding with a funeral home service at 5 P.M. Donations in her memory may be made to a charity of  one's choice.