Lori Nielsen Melville was born on October 5, 1963 in Salt Lake City Utah to Gary Lloyd Nielsen and Bonnie Kay Ross Nielsen. She died November 30, 2017 when she succumbed to a life-long battle with depression. She is survived by her parents, siblings Leslie Nielsen Hettinger and Kevin Hettinger (spouse), Mishelle Nielsen-Kosier and Kenneth Kosier (spouse), Kristina Nielsen Hernandez and Cesar Hernandez (spouse), Steven Nielsen, her children Brendan, Siobhan and Alexander Morrissey, and granddaughter Shosi.
Lori's parents moved to Southern California when she was a small child and raised their family in Anaheim, California. Lori graduated from Katella High School in Anaheim, California, class of 1981. She graduated two years alter from Orange Coast Community College in Costa Mesa, California with an Associate of Arts degree in general studies and flight attendant training. She had a passion for art since she was a small child and was a talented artist. A few years after earning her Associate degree, she decided to pursue this passion and attended the Academy of Art in Los Angeles, California.
She married Scott Morrissey in 1989 and they relocated to Salt Lake City, Utah where they had three children together then later divorced. She married Iain "Carty" Melville in 2002 whom she later divorced and then recently reconciled.
Lori loved art, vintage items and antiques, travelling, music and dancing, especially Rockabilly. The daughter of a nostalgic drag racer she loved to attend vintage car shows and races. She had an enormous love for animals and had volunteered at the Hogle Zoo and Humane Society. She had many interesting pets throughout her life, but it was her love of cats that was the greatest. They were her second children.
Although Lori had many difficult times in her life and in her struggle with depression, she was a kind-hearted, thoughtful, and generous person. She was especially kind to the handicap and those less fortunate. Her beautiful smile and laughter will be truly missed by all those who knew her and loved her.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, December 7, 2017 at Larkin Mortuary ‚ Riverton, 3688 West 12600 South beginning at 7:00 PM. A viewing will be held prior beginning at 5:30 PM.
