Melanie Kay Estright of Altoona found peace in passing after fighting a courageous battle with lymphoma on Thursday, February 27, 2015. She was 57. A caring and devoted mother, grandmother, sister, and daughter, she gave her heart to her family. She will be lovingly missed.

Melanie was born in Tyrone, the daughter of Catherine J. (Kobuck) and Charles R. Diehl. She graduated from Tyrone Area High School in 1975, and attended the Altoona School of Nursing to become an LPN. She provided exceptional care to senior patients at Epworth Manor nursing home for more than 25 years, and then worked as a nurse at several medical practices for another 10 years. In recent years she worked retail, where she greatly enjoyed the social aspects of the job.

In her free time, Melanie loved doting on her grandchildren. She relished working in the garden and creating a welcoming home for her family to enjoy.

Melanie is survived by her longtime partner, Frank Lardieri, of Altoona; her daughter, Jaime Lynch, of State College; her stepdaughter Mandy Lardieri; four grandchildren: Jaidon and Emily Lynch, of State College; Amarysa Jackson and Dominic Renton of Altoona; her sister and brother-in-law, Linda and Ash Weaver of Tyrone; her brother and sister-in-law, Chuck and Crystal Diehl of Tyrone; nieces Angel Harbst of Warriors Mark and Annette Diehl of Tyrone; and nephews Chris and Nick Diehl, both of Tyrone. She is preceded in death by her mother, Catherine.

Friends and family are invited to pay respects and share their memories during calling hours on Monday, March 2 from 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. at Richard H. Searer Funeral Home Inc. in Tyrone and on Tuesday, March 3 from 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. at the Tyrone Church of the Brethren, to be followed by the funeral service starting at 11 a.m. with Pastor Jason Mauk officiating. Private interment with be at Blair Memorial Park.