Melinda’s last four professional years were spent at Peerless-AV as Vice President of Sales and Marketing, EMEA
With heavy hearts, the industry grieves the passing of Melinda Von Horvath, whose brief and brave battle with cancer ended on Tuesday, May 12, 2020 at the age of 47 at her home in Amsterdam, surrounded by her closest family and friends.
Melinda was laid to rest in a small and private funeral service for close relatives on Monday May 18, 2020. Her family have advised that Melinda’s farewell is all about embracing and celebrating her life. The flower arrangements presented by family and friends were a vivid selection of happy, sunny, wild flowers, some selected from her own garden.
In her all too brief time here with us, Melinda enriched the lives of so many and imprinted her unique character on so many. She was a self-confessed foodie and loved to travel. Her smile and playful humour was infectious. Her warmth for her family, friends, team and many others that knew her was heartfelt. Her passion for rescuing animals was selfless and loving to the highest of heights.
Melinda’s last four professional years were spent at Peerless-AV as Vice President of Sales and Marketing, EMEA. Her Peerless-AV family is devastated for the loss of a wonderfully beautiful individual who was a dear friend and mentor to so many. Her feisty, playful and caring approach will always be remembered fondly, and she will be greatly missed.
Melinda’s network was impressively widespread on an international level having held senior positions at various major AV brands during her professional career. She loved the industry and was exceptionally passionate about building teams, encouraging personal development and giving talents room to shine.
“Once you met Melinda you felt like you knew her your whole life,” said John Potts, President of Peerless-AV. “She was an amazing person that touched the heart and soul of all those she met!”
“Melinda was a Warrior Poet, propelled by a fierce competitiveness to prevail in the fight in furtherance of herself, her team and her company,” said Nick Belcore, Executive VP of Global Sales & Marketing, Peerless-AV. “She had a disarming familiarity, even upon just meeting her, and a kindness and compassion that made all who knew her warm to her instantly. She will never be forgotten, and we are all better for having had Melinda in our lives, despite her being taken from us far too soon.”
“Melinda was my first officer for a number of years,” Keith Dutch, Managing Director, EMEA, Peerless-AV. “From a work perspective we had so much more to conquer together. We all owe her a debt of gratitude for her unwavering leadership in the development and growth of our European business. It’s fitting that we were honoured with a Queen’s Award for Enterprise 2020 for International Trade; the Queen and Maggie ‘Melinda’ Thatcher are two of a kind. However, she was so much more than a work colleague for many of us and we feel privileged to have been able to know her and work alongside her.”
“I had the privilege of working with Melinda for many years. She was my friend, my mentor and a true inspirational leader whom I learned a great deal from,” Richard Billings, Business Manager, EMEA, Peerless-AV. “Melinda was a true investor in people and had an amazing talent of getting the best out of those she worked with to enable them to achieve their full potential. I, like so many other people in our industry, owe her so much and this will be her legacy. RIP Mel.”
“Melinda was unlike anyone I’d ever met,” said Beky Cann, Director of PR & Communications EMEA, Peerless-AV. “When I met her four years ago she made such an instant impression that commanded respect and admiration. What she had already achieved in her professional career was inspiring and, as my manager and mentor, she taught me many powerful life lessons that I’ll hold with me through my career and life journey. She believed in me, invested her time in me, recognised my strengths, supported me and encouraged me get out there and travel to broaden my perceptions, knowledge and creativity. I’m forever grateful to you Mel.”
Her life achievements will be celebrated and our memories of her will be cherished. She was a renowned matriarch, inspirational leader and powerful woman in AV – always in our hearts.
