Melinda Ruth Lockard

Melinda “Mimi” Lockard, born May 27th 1949 passed away peacefully on January 6th 2025. 

Mimi was born and raised in the suburbs of Cleveland Ohio. Mimi was a graduate of West Lake High School in 1967 and went on to pursue her masters degree in English Literature. She studied at Ohio University, University of Cincinnati and spent a semester at University of Oxford in England. Mimi had a fierce and charismatic personality. She was a lover of feminism, poetry, literature, Scrabble, Jeopardy, and the fine arts. Mimi was funky and eclectic, never going anywhere without one of her favorite scarves to showcase her pizzaz. Mimi taught in the English department at College of St. Katherine’s as an adjunct professor for 40 years. Mimi also pursued her love for travel and adventure working as a flight attendant for Omni Air International in the early 2000’s. Mimi retired from the workforce in 2014 and enjoyed a peaceful life with her beloved dog Pandy in her MacGroveland neighborhood of St. Paul. 

Mimi is survived by her 2 children Jackie and Chris Smalley (Jenny, Hunter, Zach), niece Laura Lockard (Dallas, Gus, Nash), Stepdaughter Kadee Tuttle (Brennan, Oliver, Matthew), and Stepson Lance (Megan, Kamala, Zephyr). 

Mimi is preceded in death by her mother and father, John and Betty Locked, and brother Tom Lockard. She will be missed by many dear friends and family who cherished her spirit and soul. 

Celebration of life service will be held on Saturday February 1st with visitation starting at 1:00 pm. Willwerscheid Funeral Home, 1167 Grand Ave in St. Paul.