Former St. Croix Equestrian Instructor Dies Suddenly At 49 In West Palm Beach

Melissa Grace Minarik, 49, of West Palm Beach Florida, passed away on September 4, 2022. Her passing was sudden, unexpected, and devastating to her beloved family and devoted friends.

REST IN PEACE: Melissa Hotz Minarik, 49, of Beverly Hills, California

Melissa was born to Lynn and Ken Hotz, on January 25, 1973 in Beverly Hills, California. Her passion and her love encompassed the entire equestrian world. She found joy in training, caring for and bringing horses and the people who loved them together. She was deeply involved in the equestrian world and accomplished many great things. She was especially fond of introducing children, adults & emotionally and physically challenged people to the equestrian experience. She was a Horse Whisperer and a Pied Piper for her people.

On October 11, 2008, Melissa married Ivan Paul Minarik of Slovakia. Together they traveled the world, experienced history, culture and the many varied experiences found on the planet. They shared appreciation of the antiquity, history and geography of historical places. They enjoyed discovering the heritage and traditions of people and places around the globe. They tasted the sights, sounds and differences of cultures by twice circumnavigating the globe. For many years they lived a storied life, living and traveling through the tropical islands of Hawaii, South Pacific and the Caribbean. After more than 10 years, in 2010, they returned to the mainland United States and started to establish life in Florida, where they have resided ever since.

Melissa Minarik (left) with Ivan Minark, Alexandra Minarik (middle) and Nicholas Minarik (far right) in Los Angeles circa 2006.

Melissa is survived by her husband Ivan, her father, Ken, her brothers Steve and Greg, and many friends, students and parents who miss her endlessly and who all feel that she was taken from us too soon.

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