ELIZABETH MELVIN

Elizabeth Hershey

Melvin

Passed away on Saturday, August 30, 2008, after a long and courageous battle with cancer.

Born in Winchester, MA in 1929 to the late Robert Landis Hershey and the late Mildred Cooper Hershey, she attended Cushing Academy and Bradford Junior College before graduating from the University of Delaware in 1949. She enrolled in Katherine Gibbs (Boston) and following graduation in 1950, went to work in the personnel office of the Boston Public Library. In 1951 she was employed in the Graduate School Extension Office, University of Delaware. Her passions were family, church, golf, tennis and bridge. She was deeply involved in local politics and community service. She served as Secretary, Vice President and President of the Junior League of Wilmington, Vice Chairman and General Chairman of Wilmington Flower Market, Vice President and President, Tatnall Home and School Association, as a Trustee of Tatnall School, Vice President and President of the Junior Board, Delaware Division, Wilmington Medical Center, Vice Chairman, United Way Allocations Committee, served on the 1985 Governor's Inaugural Committee and was a Trustee of Christiana Care. In addition to volunteering in various political campaign offices, she served two years in the New Castle County Executive Office as Executive Assistant with liaison for Boards, Commissions and Community Outreach. She was a member and served on the Board of Directors of Wilmington Country Club.

She is survived by her husband of 56 years, Ben W. Melvin, Jr.; son, Ben W. Melvin, III; daughter, Landis M. Bowman and grandchildren, Kelley, Katie and Christopher; son Thomas C. Melvin, II., wife Rebecca and granddaughter Lucie; son, Mark C. Melvin, wife Sue and grandchildren Kenna and Cooper; brother, Michael L. Hershey, wife Sophie, daughter Molly and son Michael and wife Anne; brother, Dr. Stephen L. Hershey, wife Betsy, daughter Ashley Schlobach and husband Stephan; daughter, Meredith Perny and husband Matthew; son, Preston and wife Margaretta.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, September 5, at 11 am, at Christ Church Christiana Hundred. Interment will be private. A reception will follow at the Wilmington Country Club.

The family suggests in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to Christiana Care Health System, Office of Development PO Box 1668, Wilmington, DE 19885.

Arrangements by

CHANDLER

FUNERAL HOMES

& CREMATORY

www.chandlerfuneralhome.com

(302) 478-7100