Dorothy Breeden Mench

Dorothy Breeden Mench Dorothy Breeden Mench, 87, of Amherst, passed away peacefully Friday, December 24, 2010, at the home of her daughter, Melinda Harlow.

She was the wife of the late James F. Mench, who preceded her in death.

Born in Indianapolis, Indiana, September 3, 1923, she was the daughter of the late Olmer and Helen Breeden.

She graduated from high school and attended Butler University before joining the Navy during World War II. As a WAVE, she taught aerial free gunnery to sailors headed to destroyers and gun boats in the Pacific Theatre. She received an Honorable Discharge from the Navy in 1950.

After the war, she married a fellow World War II veteran, Navy pilot Lt. James F. Mench. In the following years, she had two daughters, Melinda, Joan and a son, James Jr. The family was stationed on numerous military installations, including an overseas stint in Morocco. That posting allowed her to pursue her love of history and travel extensively in Europe and the Mediterranean area. Her husband eventually retired from the Navy and they moved to Orange County.

While living in Orange, she was active in the Garden Club, President of the Women's Club, and for a time, was a county reporter for the Charlottesville Daily Progress. She also loved to play bridge and read.

She is survived by two daughters, Melinda and her husband, Morgan Harlow, of Amherst, and Joan and her husband, David Clark, of Unionville; a son, James F. Mench Jr. of Long Beach, California; five grandchildren, Alexis, Sydney, Caroline, Katy and Sarah; and two great-granddaughters, Morgan and Hannah.

A graveside service will be held 1 p.m. Tuesday, February 8, 2011, at Arlington Nation Cemetery.

The family requests in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Hospice of the Piedmont in Charlottesville, Virginia, or to the charity of choice.

Hill and Wood Funeral Service of Charlottesville is serving the family.

Friends may sign the register book at www.hillandwood.com.


This obituary was originally published in the Daily Progress.