Patricia Meller

Patricia A. Meller (87) of Nashua, NH, passed away peacefully on June 10, 2025, from a rare and aggressive thyroid cancer. A musician, biologist, and women's rights activist, Pat lived a richly meaningful and music-filled life in service to others.

While originally from Madison, WI, Pat's family later moved to Athens, AL, where Pat graduated from high school in 1955. A talented student, Pat attended the H. Sophie Newcomb Memorial College at Tulane University in New Orleans, LA, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Biology in 1959. She later received her Master of Science from the University of Alabama. Ever the trailblazer pushing the boundaries of what women did in those days, Pat also attended the Women's Medical College of Pennsylvania, which was the first institution to offer medical doctor degrees to women. Giving up on her dream to be a doctor, she became a biologist instead and never looked back, working for decades as a researcher at the University of Wisconsin (Madison) at the Wisconsin National Primate Research Center. Her humanity shone in her work, as she related wonderfully tender-hearted and amusing stories about the primates in her care that honored their service and sentience.

Pat loved classical music and was an accomplished pianist, moving her baby grand piano with her when relocating from Wisconsin to Greensboro, NC, and later to Nashua, NH. She also played the trombone, which always stood on a stand by her piano. Pat contributed to many social causes over her lifetime, but her biggest legacy would be her ready wit and gentle caring that she freely gave to all. She may not have become a doctor, but that did not stop her from generously caring for the medical needs of two partners in their declining health: Dr. Lena Likowski, who died from diabetes, and later, her partner of more than three decades, Chris Roerden.

Pat leaves behind many loved ones, including her partner Chris Roerden of Nashua, NH, and stepsons Ken Roerden of Cape Elizabeth, ME, and Doug Roerden (Laura) of Uxbridge, MA, and three grandsons, Eli Roerden of New York, NY, and Zach Roerden and Ben Roerden, both of Uxbridge, MA. She also leaves behind her sister Margie Evans (Carl) of Athens, AL, and her nieces Dr. Angie Chaney (Chad) of Ft. Payne, AL, and Pam Hammock (Randall) of Athens, AL, and five grand-nieces and nephews.

Pat will be remembered as a wonderful older sister, partner, Oma, friend, and gentle spirit who fought for equity and acceptance for all. She was deeply loved and will be greatly missed. A celebration of her life will be held later. To honor her memory, donations can be made to Legal Momentum.