Melanie Wittmann Hickson Papa 95, passed away Tuesday June 10th 2025 at her home in Lakewood, Washington.

Melanie was born on January 25th, 1930, in Nuremberg Germany. She was born the last of four children of Maria and Johann Wittmann. She was born in a difficult time of war, strife and hardships. After her father Johann died of cancer, her mother Maria supported the family by running a restaurant and beer house, often referred to as ein Essen Haus Restaurant and Biergarten. Melanie relayed that when she was a young girl, she drank the foam of beer running down the bar troughs. Later, after the liberation, Maria would exchange food and beer with the Army soldiers who would then exchange back with nylons and chocolates that she would give to her four daughters. Melanie enrolled in secretarial school and eventually went to work in the pool of office workers on the nearby military base. That is where she met her first husband, William (Bill) Edward Hickson. Soon she became an Army wife, often referred to as a war bride. Her life became that of a jet setting military wife, traveling and exploring the world. She started a family beginning with her first-born John Hickson, born at Fort Ord in California. Soon after, Miriam Hickson was born at Madigan Army hospital in Washington state, followed by Ursula Hickson born in Augsburg Germany.  William and Melanie settled in near Fort Lewis and purchased a home in Tacoma. Melanie was left to raise her three children as her husband returned to wars in Korea and Vietnam. After returning from service, William, Melania and her children moved to an army base in Taiwan. It was difficult living in a completely unique country with a different language and foods and environment.

The constant turmoil made it impossible for Melanie to stay, and she left William with three children in tow, and returned to Tacoma. After her divorce, she began a new life filled with new friends and a family to raise. She pursed jobs as a nurse's aide and secretarial shorthand specialist all the while taking English classes to perfect her use of the language and to improve her writing skills. She became both a mother and a father and raised the family alone for the next 10 years. Melanie worked hard while going to night school, cleaning office, homes and elementary schools. When an opportunity for her to take a job as a boiler maker in the Clover Park school district came up, she embraced it with open arms. She excelled in her classes, receiving a boiler makers certificate. A rare opportunity, in what was considered at that time a highly coveted man's job. She was able to provide her children with a beautiful home with a safe space to grow, full of love, warmth and security. Raising kids in the 1970s was tough, but that was Melanie, one tough cookie.

Melanie met and married her second husband Romeo Papa from the Philippines. What a blessing it was! She finally found the love she deserved, a whole new world with an instant blended family. She loved working in her school and made longtime friends and touched many students along her journey. Her life changed dramatically when Romeo's son arrived to live with her. Royzon was 16 years old when he arrived in the USA from the Philippines, making it a family of four kids. Romeo and Melanie moved from Parkland to settle in their final home in Lakewood WA. Melanie was very spiritual and active in the Catholic community. The German community threw many parties that brought a sparkle to her life. She loved to sing and dance and attended many festivals and competitions with Romeo. Her cooking skills were renowned, and she enjoyed eating, laughing, drinking coffee and having desserts/cakes with her fellow German coffee clutch members. She retired from the Clover Park school district and traveled across the states to visit family and friends in Hawaii, Florida, Massachusetts, Germany, Minnesota, Philippines, Cabo and more. She loved to travel and enjoy her own children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and recently a great great grandchild.

Melanie was preceded by her parents, Maria and Johann Wittmann, her sisters Franchesca, Ursula, Margarete, and granddaughter Staycha. She is survived by her husband Romeo Papa, her children John Hickson (Tina), Royzon Papa (Amy), Miriam McCarville (Doug), Ursula Senn. Grand children Kirsten Rinker (Peter), Shelby Senn Ritchey (Michael), Dania Rinker, Nathalie Senn (Brandon), Anthony Senn (Amanda), Chad McCarville (Michelle), Ryan Papa (Katelyn), Jenna Papa, Kyler Noah, Kody Noah. Great grand children Kore Underwood, Hailee Slaughter, Zoe Underwood, Caydance Kahler, Gauge Kahler, Tucker Fowler, Eleanor Senn Smith, Nova Senn Smith. Great great grandchild Caelin Kolosik.