Memories of Melinda Goss

I worked with Melinda when I picked up our coffee order for the NorthStar Cafe years ago, she was always friendly and helpful. She will be missed for sure. Steve Richards, Dining Services.

Melinda hired me at Brewer Bookstore during my first semester at St. Lawrence in 2001. She was relatively new to the SLU community as well. Melinda was a wonderful supervisor, mentor, and friend, and I can say unequivocally that she filled these roles for numerous students and colleagues. She was a warm and steady presence at Brewer, and in many ways a surrogate parent to many of us.

I have vivid memories of conversations with Melinda where she offered a kind ear and warm guidance as I navigated academic and social life at SLU. We spent many shifts workshopping essays and ideas for my senior thesis. Melinda was, of course, an avid reader. We exchanged novels frequently. She shared her love of the writings of brothers Lawrence and Gerald Durrell. ‘My Family and Other Animals’ remains a favorite. 

I last saw Melinda in 2018 during an unplanned winter road trip to Canton. When I called on her, Melinda dropped everything to join old friends and former colleagues for an impromptu dinner. We laughed and drank wine and recounted our time at Brewer. I didn’t know then that it would be the last time I would see her, but I’m grateful our final evening together was filled with such joy.  Cody Eldredge '05