Doris Ann Melancon

Doris Ann Roy Melancon, a native of New Roads, Louisiana, and a resident of Gloucester since 1988, died peacefully at home on May 19, 2025. She was the daughter of Clement E. and Stella Major Roy. Doris graduated from St. Joseph Academy in New Orleans in 1944. She completed studies at Charity Hospital School of Nursing in New Orleans and graduated as a registered nurse in 1947. In 1948 she married James ("Mike") Melancon. His career with the US Department of Agriculture led them to many moves through the years, including 20 years in the Washington D.C. area. Mike and Doris were the parents of six children – Lynne (Gary) Richardson, Meredith (Lee) Bell, James (Gary Lissow), Claude (Debbie), Robert (Leisa), and Phillip (Nita); grandparents of ten – Cory (John) Richardson-Lauve, Sarah (Pete) Whelan, Alison (Jake) Foley, Micah Melancon, Kara (Jeremy) Straub, Aaron (Rachel) Melancon, Steven (Stephanie) Melancon, Aimee (Taylor) Gustad, Drew (Kelsey) Melancon, and Leo Melancon, and great-grandparents of Noah, Sophie, Jack, Katy, Leah, Johanna, James,, Emmy, Weston, Luke, and AJ.
Over almost 50 years, Mike and Doris hosted week-long family reunions triennially on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. After Mike's passing in 2012, Doris continued to host these reunions as a way to maintain and strengthen family ties. She enjoyed watching the multiple generations cook and eat meals together, swim in the pool and ocean, and play games. The last reunion was in 2022, when over 40 family members gathered to visit with and celebrate family.
Besides her dedication to family, Doris showed generosity by contributing to causes that provided relief to the needy. She was known to all her many friends and relatives as a caring, gentle, compassionate lady. Always sensitive to the unspoken needs of others, she knew how and when to offer help.
Doris demonstrated strength and resilience toward the end of her life by continuing to live mostly independently and with dignity. Her deep faith in God and the afterlife sustained her. She found comfort in reading her Bible, particularly the Book of Psalms.
Doris is survived by a brother, Larry Roy, of St. Martinville, Louisiana, and was preceded in death by her husband Mike and another brother and three sisters.
She was an active member of the Church of Saint Therese in Gloucester. For many years, Doris was an accompanist with the choir and a regular participant in Bible studies, the Sojourners group and the Theresians. Her volunteer community activities included the Gloucester Library, Riverside Walter Reed Hospice and Hospital.
The family would like to thank Dr. Ronald Haggerty and his caring staff for their care of Doris in her last years and Riverside Walter Reed Hospice for care provided to Doris during the last month of her life, in particular, nurses Emily and Rebeka and aide Moneesa.
Funeral Mass will be held at St. Therese Catholic Church, Saturday, June 7, 2025, at 11:00 am, preceded by visitation at 10:00 am. A reception will be held in the church fellowship hall following Mass. The inurnment is private. In memory of Doris, memorial contributions may be made to a charity of your choice or your local hospice. Services under the direction of Hogg Funeral Home & Crematory.