Rhonda J. (Rowe) Melanson

ORANGE- Rhonda J. (Rowe) Melanson, 71, of Enfield Drive, died unexpectedly on Thursday evening at Athol Hospital after being stricken ill earlier at home.

Born in Athol on March 13, 1952, she was the daughter of the late William and Dorothy (Preble) Rowe and grew up in Orange and graduated from New Salem Academy in 1970.

Rhonda was married to William E. Melanson and enjoyed 51 years of marriage until his death on January 29, 2021.

Rhonda had been employed by the Orange Savings Bank as a teller and worked her way up to becoming a supervisor before retiring. She previously had worked for Cycle Design, Mars Bargain Land, and as a seamstress for Mozkovitz’s.

Rhonda enjoyed doing arts and crafts, bird watching, baking as well as being a phenomenal cook. She was a skilled seamstress and loved decorating her “Holiday Ladder” for every holiday.

Most of, she loved her great granddaughter Willow.

Rhonda had a great sense of humor and was honest to a fault. She will be remembered for her compassion to others.

Rhonda his survived by her children, Dawna Almstrom and her husband, Steven, of West Boyalston and William Melanson and his wife, Barbara, of Orange; grandchildren, William Melanson, Emilee Melanson, Samantha Benoit, Jillian Almstrom, and Chase Almstrom; and a great granddaughter, Willow Melanson.  Rhonda is also survived by her siblings, John Rowe and his wife, Vicki, of Orange, Jean Cameron of Athol, Craig Rowe and his wife, Gillian, of Orange, Natalie Shyer and her husband, Bob, of Athol, and Katrina Adams and her husband, Rick, of Athol; along with many nephews and nieces, grandnephews and grandnieces, great grandnephews and great grandnieces.

Calling hours will be held on Wednesday evening, October 18, 2023 from 4-6 p.m. at Witty’s Funeral Home, 158 South Main Street, Orange.

A graveside service will be held Thursday, October 19th at 11 a.m. in South Cemetery, 585 South Main Street, Orange.

In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to Arthritis Foundation, 1355 Peachtree St NE, 6th Suite, Atlanta, GA 30309 or to American Heart Association, P.O. Box 417005, Boston, MA 02241-7005.

Witty’s Funeral Home, 158 South Main Street, Orange, is assisting the family.

Guest book and directions online at WWW.WITTYFUNERALHOME.COM

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