South Berwick, Maine
South Berwick, ME- Deborah Anne Melvin, 45, of Hooper Sands Rd, died early Saturday morning September 2, 2006 after a year long struggle with lung cancer.
Deborah was born in Northampton, MA the daughter of F. Allen and Jane Thompson (Kennedy). The daughter of an Amherst, MA business couple, Deborah had traveled throughout much of her life. She attended Salem College in West Virginia. She married David A. Melvin of Fairfax County, VA.
A resident of Maine for ten years, Deborah was a wildlife Biologist for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Her twenty-year career with the U.S. Government spanned her service in the Peace Corps (Costa Rica 1985-1987) with her husband to low level flying in Service Aircraft as a Chief Observer. Deborah was the recipient of many awards for her work in wildlife conservation. Also known for her abilities as a horsewoman she started Great Hill farm Andalusians in South Berwick.
She is survived by her husband David A. Melvin of 23 years and her two children Jessica A. Melvin (14) and Jacob A. Melvin (12), her mother Jane Kennedy of Ft. Myers, FL and two brothers Floyd A. Thompson III of Warrenton, VI and William B. Thompson of Gramby, MA.
She was predeceased by her father F. Allen Thompson Jr. of Amherst, MA and her sister Patricia E. Thompson also of Amherst, MA.
Friends may visit with Deborah’s family on Thursday September 7th from 5-7 pm at the McIntire McCooey Funeral Home 301 Main St., South Berwick Maine. A family funeral service will be held at Wildwood Cemetery in Amherst, MA on Saturday September 9th at 1pm. Flowers may either be sent to McIntire McCooey Funeral Home or Wildwood Cemetery. Donations may be made in her memory to any of the various conservation organizations or to any of the animal rescue leagues.
Please go to www.mcintiremccooey.com for more information or to sign the on-line guest book.
To the family of Deborah,
My heartfelt sympathies enfold each one of you. The Thompson Family are among my treasured Granby, MA memories. Jane, my prayerful heart reaches out to you personally.
Claudette Kiely
September 12, 2006 | Chicopee, MA
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Gerard Kiely
September 11, 2006 | Chicopee, MA
Please accept my condolences for your loss. I knew Debbie well when she was in Fairfax at the Mason Neck NWR. I was a volunteer there with the Eagle watch and other environmental programs. I was sorry to see her move on and have missed her. The NWR system will miss her, as will you, her family. Please except my sympathy and my love.
Barbara Chambers
September 08, 2006 | Annandale, VA
David and Family,my thoughts and prayers are with you.
steve boska
September 07, 2006 | Woodbridge (Mason Neck), VA
David - Although I never got to meet Debbie, I felt like I knew her from all the great stories I've heard, from you and Debbie's friends at FWS. She was full of life and enjoyed every moment. My prayers are with you and your children at this very sad time.
Amy Guimond
September 07, 2006 | Portland, ME
Please accept our deepest sympathy at this most difficult time in your lives. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Ted,Holly,Bailee and Amelia Dodier
Holly Dodier
September 07, 2006 | South Berwick, ME
In December 2004, I called Deb for help with prolems I was having receiving government e mail. As was always the case, she was eager to help out and got right on the case. Along with a few laughs, we talked about the horse farm she loved so much and about the next vehicle she might be purchasing. A fellow American consumer myself, I always supported her choice of those big GM SUVs. In a follow-up e mail, Deb fixed my e mail problem. I thanked her and wrote that I did not yet miss coming to...
Rich Catellier
September 07, 2006 | Rollinsford, NH
Jane,Bill,Floyd,David,Jessica & Jacob, Hold fast to the precious memories as we all have been blessed to have had the opportunity to know such a beautiful,jovial,loving and caring woman. Her spirit will Live On in all of us.
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Deb and I journeyed life together in our junior and high school years.
She will not be forgotten, not ever!
Louise Bergeron
September 07, 2006 | Chester, MA
Dave and Family,
My deepest sympathy goes out to you and your family during this very hard time. You all will be in my heart and prayers always. Deb was a great person, friend, mentor and biologist. A special person like her will not be forgotten.
All my best to you,
Dawn Washington
September 07, 2006 | Caribou, ME
