Mary G. Mello

CENTERVILLE — Mary G. Mello passed away Wednesday morning, April 29, 2009, at Cape Regency Rehabilitation & Nursing Center. She had been lovingly cared for by the wonderful staff for more than three years as she made her journey through the stages of Alzheimer's disease. She and her family were greatly comforted by the wonderful people of Epoch Hospice Care in her final days.

Born on March 5, 1917, in Cambridge, she was the daughter of the late Jose and Maria Gregorio. She was predeceased by her first husband, Albert L. Mello in 1969, and her second husband, James Mello in 1984. She was the mother of Albert L. Mello Jr., who passed away in 1983.

She is survived by a daughter, Dolores (Mello) Ahern and her husband David; daughter-in-law Judy Olcott and her husband Jack; a brother, Anthony Gregorio and his wife Ellen; and five grandchildren, Stacey Kennedy and her husband John, Kathleen Clancy and her husband Mark, Christopher Mello and his wife Lisa, Kevin Ahern and his wife Monica, and Timothy Mello and his wife Alice. She is also survived by 10 great-grandchildren, Margaret, Caroline, Linny and Ellen Clancy, Christopher, Jack and Max Kennedy, Ethan and Maggie Mello, and Lillian Ahern.

Her first love was her family, beloved parents and siblings, husbands, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and the many cousins with whom she shared much of her youth. For many years she was a familiar figure in Barnstable Village, as she and her lady friends gathered every morning for coffee at the "Deli."

She was an accomplished seamstress and quilter, and made exquisite wedding gowns for many of the family brides. A lifelong gardener, she inspired that interest in many family members. She lived a life full of love for her family, which was evident in everything she did. She lived by the Golden Rule and, by example, showed her family how to live well and honorably.

A service to honor her life will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 5, at Doane, Beal and Ames Funeral Home, 729 Route 134, South Dennis. Friends are invited to visit from 10 to 11 a.m. at the same location. Burial at Pine Grove Cemetery in Harwich will follow the service.

Donations in her memory may be made to Alzheimer's Services of Cape Cod, 712 Main St., Hyannis, MA 02601; or to Epoch Hospice Care, 111 Headwaters Drive, Harwich, MA 02645.

Doane, Beal & Ames

508-385-7116