Melinda Chaykin

Melinda Chaykin passed away on October 24, 2025 from complications of a heart attack. Melinda was born in Brooklyn, NY on August 29, 1951. As a toddler, her young family moved from New York to Miami, Florida where she grew up and attended college at the University of Miami. Melinda was the oldest of four children to Albert Chaykin and Elsie Miller. Her main career was in early childhood education which was enhanced with a certification in the Montessori method, studying under the renowned Madam Caspari. Melinda worked as a teacher, then inherited the Montessori Children’s House when her mother passed away in 1976. She was the Director for over a decade before leaving Miami and moving to Clearwater, FL, Portland, Oregon, then Bozeman, MT where she called home for the last 21 years. Melinda was a fiercely independent and kind soul. She loved animals of all shapes and sizes and was a constant contributor to animal rights organizations. Melinda’s last 7 years were spent keeping her body thriving through kidney dialysis. She met a lot of great folks at dialysis, losing a few to the ravages of kidney disease. A big thank you and love go out to Dr. Cindy Sharpe, Kerry and Rachel Edney, and the amazing staff at Fresnius Kidney Care. Melinda is preceded in death by her parents, Albert Chaykin and Elsie (Miller) Chaykin, and her brother David Maxwell Chaykin. She is survived by her sister Dianne (Chaykin) Click and husband Kevin Click, her nieces Hannah and Sarah Click, and sister Lenore (Chaykin) Spinn. A celebration of life will be held Nov. 30th at the Beall Park Center from 2-4 pm.