Melody Hyde Morgan, beloved matriarch, died of natural causes on July 7 in Coronado, California. She was 94.
Melody was raised in Coronado, which her great-grandfather Heber Ingle co-founded. She rode horses on the beach, played tennis and was an accomplished pianist. Named “Miss Beachcomber” in 1947, she graduated from Coronado High in 1948 and studied French at USC.
While home on break she met and fell in love with naval aviator William T. “Bill” Morgan. They were married for 67 years until his passing in 2019.
Melody and Bill raised their family in Southern California, living primarily in Mandeville Canyon in Brentwood, bookending a residence in Kansas City while Bill served as CEO of financial services firm Waddell & Reed.
The Morgans have deep ties to the Palisades: Their daughter taught at St. Matthew’s; and their eldest son Bill, a filmmaker, attended Pali High and has lived and worked with his wife Elizabeth in the Palisades for over 30 years.
Melody and Bill were devoted parishioners of Christ Church of Coronado; their ashes will be interred there together in the memorial garden.
She was a long-time volunteer at National Charity League, Children’s Mercy Hospital of Kansas City and other organizations.
Melody is survived by her children Bill Jr. (Elizabeth), Mark (Valerie), Paul (Susie), and Melody Ann aka “Cee-Cee” (Dan); eight grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.
Services will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Christ Church of Coronado, Elizabeth Hospice, Coronado Historical Society or a charity of your choice.
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