Former Harvard resident, bookstore manager
Margaret Finnicum. (Courtesy photo)
Melinda Rutherford Finnicum (born Melinda Dale Rutherford) died Sept. 15, 2024, in Annandale, Virginia.
She was born on May 15, 1941, in Chicago, Illinois. From a young age, Melinda traveled extensively to places such as Russia, South America, Asia, and Europe, during a time when civilian travel was not the norm. Melinda attended and graduated from high school at the Graham-Eckes School in Palm Beach, Florida, and completed her college education at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
She lived in Harvard from 1980 to 1999 on Ann Lees Road. Melinda translated her love of books and learning into a professional pursuit and managed multiple bookstores in the area, including Lauriat’s and Annie’s Book Swap.
She was preceded in death by her father, Milton Drexel Rutherford; her mother, Margaret Frances Rutherford; and her half-brother, John Gerard Rutherford. She is survived by her husband, Terry Finnicum; daughter, Margaret (Maggie) Finnicum Rieder (Kevin); son, Michael Drexel Finnicum; and grandchildren, Sofie Melinda Rieder, Calliope Zigmont, and Drexel Kevin Rieder.
A Celebration of Life will be held Nov. 2 at the Mount Vernon Unitarian Church (mvuc.org) at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please send any donations to The Elephant Sanctuary (https://shop.elephants.com/fundraisers/in-memoriam-melinda-ruther ford-finnicum).