Evangelina Pedraza Melo was born August 5, 1942 in the remote village of Acoxcatlan in the state of Hidalgo, Mexico to the late Luisa Martinez and Zabulon Pedraza. She was married to a fellow villager, the late Flocelo Cano Melo, on November 28, 1963 in Mexico City.

Evangelina was a completely selfless individual who loved serving others. Her greatest joys were working, cooking, music, and her family and friends. She would not be happy unless she was doing something for someone. For her, these were not sacrifices, but instead were moments of joy and fulfillment. Nothing made her smile more than being in the kitchen and seeing a table full of friends and family devouring her famous enchiladas, sopes, tamales, or mole while she toiled away in the kitchen. It was impossible to get her to sit down and join you.

Everyone she met quickly became her friend. She was devoted to God, and living a life by example. Even though she had little education, Evangelina made the most of every opportunity given her. She was a true entrepreneur and was constantly looking for her next opportunity. She was hands on and rarely relied on anyone, be it hanging a chandelier, running a restaurant, making enchiladas for 50 people, painting walls, installing drywall, or moving furniture. Although small in stature, through her strength of will and determination, she was able to accomplish any task before her.

She is survived by her brother, Leopold Pedraza and sister, Maria Velez; Son, Omar Melo and his wife, Wendy Fish, granddaughter, Sophia, and grandson, Mateo; daughter, Alma Neiswinter and three grandsons, Clint, Mark, and Abraham; Son, Jim Melo and his wife, Meghan Melo, granddaughters, Lydia and Bridgette, and grandson, Charles Melo. She was preceded in death by daughter, Eva Melo.

Please join us celebrating her life. Funeral services will be held at 11:30 a.m., Saturday, March 16, 2019 at the River View 3rd Ward Chapel, 11420 South 700 West, Draper, Utah. Friends may call from 10-11:15 a.m. prior to services. Interment, Provo City Cemetery. Condolences may be expressed at www.bergmortuary.com.