Mary Melie

1966 - 2023

Mary Melie
August 9, 1966 - June 6, 2023
Durham, North Carolina - Mary Julia Melie died on June 6, 2023 following a short battle with cancer. Mary was born in Wilmington, DE on August 9, 1966. She attended Mount Pleasant High School (Wilmington.,DE) and the Culinary Institute of America (CIA, NY). Chef Mary worked in restaurants in Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Maine and North Carolina. Mary was the opening chef for Guglhupf Cafe in Durham, NC. She opened her own restaurant: One Whirled Cafe in Wake Forest, NC in 2014. She went on to work as a chef at other local restaurants. Mary had a a fierce need to create great food without compromise. Mary's "truck farm" of fresh vegetables and flowers was legendary. She loved her neighborhood, developing wonderful friendships. Her love of hiking brought out her sense of wonder and whimsy. If you are able; stand on a beach near you and fly a kite in her memory. When she wanted solace, kite flying was her release. Mary is predeceased by her parents, Michael and Catherine Melie, as well as, siblings: James Melie, Carol Seabrook and Patrick Melie. She was survived by her siblings: Michael/Margaret Melie, Deborah/Gregory Griffin, Margaret/Lloyd Truluck and Barbara/Sam Besmar. She leaves behind a large loving family of nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins. Mary's dear friends are also, deeply affected by her death.
Interment will be private. Future celebrations of Mary's life will occur in the both NC and DE. Please contact arttdebb@gmail.com for further information.