Melinda S. Jones' Obituary
Melinda Jones Taki
March 27, 1958 - January 23, 2024
With great sadness, we share the news that our beloved Melinda Jones Taki passed away unexpectedly on January 23.
Melinda was born and raised in suburban New Jersey, where she was an accomplished equestrian show Jumper and horse trainer. Her love of animals was etched in her DNA, as her dog Maddie can certify. She had a great love for the ‘Jersey Shore’, and where she spent her summers as a youth. At the tender age of 12 her passion for cooking was realized when she started catering for her neighbors’ parties.
Food became Melinda’s love language, as the many friends and family members who were recipients of her delicious and creative gastronomical delights can attest. Her recipes were in her head and heart and will never be duplicated. (literally)
In adulthood Melinda became an astute businesswoman. She was interviewed by Gloria Steinem for a New York Magazine on Melinda’s historic breaking of the “Glass Ceiling” in the car industry. Melinda was the first woman to run a car dealership in a male dominated industry. Subsequently, this is where she met the love of her life Tomio Taki. She sold him a car and he stole her heart.
Melinda and Tomio became great world travel partners, experiencing unique cultures, landscapes, and exotic cuisines. She took the opportunity to incorporate the intricacies of her experiences into her life and kitchen.
Melinda’s heart and hands were always open to those in need. Her desire to give someone a ‘leg up’ was her mantra. She served with fierce dedication. Thanksgiving Day for the New York City shelters were graced by her magnificent pies, side dishes and turkeys for countless years.
Upon Melinda and Tomio spending most of the year in Hawaii, Melinda adopted the ‘Friends of Windward Wounded Warriors’ (that provides support to help veterans get back on their feet) providing large quantities of meals for their family nights, holidays and events. Her generosity never wavered for family, friends, or strangers in need.
She is survived by her husband Tomio Taki and her mother Joan Jones, and stepsons Kazuo Taki and his wife Keiko, their daughter Ayaka, Sachio Taki and wife Honami, Adam Taki, and his wife Julie and their 2 children. She also leaves behind her loyal Doberman Maddie. She is predeceased by her father Tom Jones.
In lieu of flowers Donations in her honor may be given to either the Hawaii Humane Society or Friends of Windward Wounded Warriors to https://hawaiianhumane.org/
Or https://www.memberplanet.com/campaign/honolulunavyleague/woundedwarriorfund
[email protected]
Kuakini Foundation
347 N. Kuakini Street
Honolulu, HI 96817
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