DAVIDA FOX-MELANSON

FOX-MELANSON, Davida It is with deep sadness that the family of Davida Fox-Melanson, 79, of Wellesley, MA, announces her passing at home, on Monday, September 8, 2025. She is lovingly remembered by her devoted husband, Leo Melanson; her daughter and son-in-law, Melissa and Andrew Sinclair; her son and daughter-in-law, Matthew and Aimee Pease Fox; and her three cherished grandchildren, Bayley and Camden Fox and Lilly Sinclair. Davida was born on February 6, 1946, to Morris and Lillian Eisenberg in Boston and grew up in Medford, MA, alongside her siblings, Edyth, Arthur, and Harvey. She attended Clark University in Worcester, MA, where she earned a degree in Sociology: an experience that shaped her lifelong commitment to service and community. At Clark, she forged many enduring friendships and was part of the first class of women to take courses at Holy Cross. She later earned a master's degree in education from Boston University. A passionate advocate for education, Davida dedicated her life to ensuring the best outcomes for all children. Over the course of her career, she served as a teacher, director of Title I programs, principal of the Oak Street School in Franklin, MA and superintendent of Carlisle Public Schools from 1992 to 2004. She was known for always putting students first and was a pioneer in bringing systems thinking into education. Even after retirement, she continued to mentor aspiring educational leaders and served on the board of the Discovery Museum in Acton, MA, a place she loved to visit with her grandchildren. Davida lived by the guiding principle her mother instilled in her: it is important to do well, but more important to do good. She embodied this through her generosity and service, volunteering on the Wellesley School Council, serving on the board of the Creative Learning Exchange, working at the polls on election days and participating in her beloved book club. She found joy in trips to Maine and Canada with Leo, always appreciating the beauty of the landscape. Davida deeply valued the friendships she formed and nurtured throughout her life. She had lifelong friends from childhood, remained close to her best friends from college and cherished the lasting bonds she built during her career. Above all, her greatest joy was her family, especially her grandchildren, whom she adored. When they were young, she cared for them often and was known for her signature bag, always filled with surprises. She loved spoiling them, celebrating their milestones and going on trips to Disney and New Hampshire. She was especially proud to see them all graduate from high school and enter college, one even following in her footsteps at Clark University. Davida will be deeply missed, but her legacy lives on in the lives she touched and the memories she created with her loved ones. A Celebration of Davida's Life will be held at Follen Church of Lexington, on September 26, at 12:00 p.m., with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family invites you to honor Davida's memory with a gift to Clark University. Gifts may be made online using the link below or by mailing a check payable to Clark University to: Clark University, CL# 800180, P O Box 983171, Boston, MA 02298-3171. Please include Davida's name in the memo line so your gift is directed in her honor. https://tinyurl.com/Fox-Melanson Henry J. Burke & Sons BurkeFamilyFuneralHomes.com