Melanie Lisette Cash

Melanie Lisette Cash, 65, of Roseland, Virginia, passed away peacefully on Friday, July 25, 2025, in Fairfax, Virginia. Born in Charlottesville, Virginia on February 12, 1960, she was the beloved daughter of George William Cash and Rosalba Marquez Cash. The oldest of three siblings, Melanie spent much of her childhood in Latin America, where her father worked as a businessman across the region. His career brought the family to live in Venezuela, Colombia, Puerto Rico, and most memorably, Guatemala. She later returned to the United States to attend college, graduating from Louisiana State University in 1982.

Following college, Melanie moved to New York City, to start a family and raise her two sons, Todd Michael Scher-Cash and Brent Daniel Scher-Cash. She was passionately involved in her sons’ education and was ultimately driven to return to the classroom herself to obtain a law degree. After graduating magna cum laude from New York Law School, she stayed at the school as associate director of the Center for New York City Law. There, she built not only a successful career, but a close-knit family. She was a beloved boss, and her warmth, intellect and unwavering support made a lasting impact on her team. A brilliant editor and teacher, she went on to mentor and train legal writers at many of the top law firms in the United States.

Melanie had a zest for life that was palpable. Her laugh was contagious, her cooking brought people together, and she had a gift for making everyone feel welcome. She was an avid traveler and could often be found cheering for the New York Mets or taking care of her gorgeous garden, which was as full of life and color as she was.

Melanie’s pride and joy were her sons Todd and Brent, and she poured her heart into their lives and growing families. She leaves behind Todd and his wife, Katy, and Brent and his wife, Cassie, as well as her six grandchildren: Brooks, Bennett, George, Boone, Clark, and Sadie. Known affectionately as “Lita,” Melanie was a constant and loving presence in their lives.

She was a nurturing big sister to her brother, Mark Cash, and sister, Marcela Cash. She was a selfless and supportive aunt to Melanie Moczarski, Stefan Moczarski, Laura Cash, George William Cash, Patteson Cash, and Sebastian Cash, and a cherished daughter to her mother, Rosalba Marquez Cash. She was preceded in death by her father, George William Cash, and her daughter, Laramie Scher-Cash, whom she carried in her heart every day.

Melanie was the rock of the family, the one everyone turned to for strength, advice, and unconditional love. Her legacy of compassion, resilience, and joy will live on in all who were lucky enough to know her.

A memorial service for Melanie will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 16, 2025, at Byrum-Parr Funeral Home in Roseland, Virginia. In accordance with her wishes, she will be laid to rest following the service beside her father at Mt. Pleasant Methodist Church Cemetery. Visitation will begin one hour before the service.