Elyce E. Melmon

1937 - 2025

Elyce E. Melmon
05/15/1937 - 09/18/2025
Elyce E. Melmon (née Edelman) was born on May 15, 1937 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to parents Anita and Albert, joining older brother Harvey. She would later describe her childhood as one of love, music, and the joy of freshly fallen snow. She fondly recalled beautiful houseparties hosted by her mother.
In 1947, her family moved to San Francisco where Albert worked as an eclectic entrepreneur and businessman. She rode the trollies and attended Lowell High School, where her love of theater and the written word first blossomed and where she established friendships that would last a lifetime.
In 1957, she married a dimpled medical student and the love of her life, Ken Melmon. She dropped out of UC Berkeley, where she wrote alongside the Beat Generation while pursuing a degree in English and journalism. Elyce and Ken welcomed their son Brad in 1960, and their daughter Debbie in 1963. In these early years, the family moved away from San Francisco to accept opportunities in Bethesda and Seattle, before returning to California to settle in Marin County.
Elyce said "my children are my inspiration; it was only natural for me to pursue a teaching credential." She completed her Masters Degree in English and earned a teaching credential at Dominican College in San Rafael. Elyce taught English at San Domenico, Woodside Priory, and Castilleja, and volunteered in her retirement at East Side Preparatory School. She wrote short stories, plays, and poetry, self-publishing three books. Her full-length play, A King's Legacy, was produced at the Pear Theatre and was awarded the Silicon Valley Small Theatre Standout New Work in 2014. Her short 10-minute plays were produced in small theatres up and down the coast of California. Active throughout her retirement, Elyce turned her skills toward grief counseling as a volunteer at Kara. She led the life of an educator, humanitarian,and philanthropist, contributing to education and the environment. She took excellent care of her family and friends, remaining deeply loyal,disciplined, and loving to the end.
Elyce was beloved by all who knew her because her guiding force in life was love. The unfading sparkle in her eye and her power to find the beauty in people always encouraged and helped others to bring their best selves into the world. She has been described by her students as inspiring and creative, with a unique combination of scholarship, inspiration, and unconditional support. To those in her family, Elyce graciously served as their biggest fan, greatest confidant, and foremost teacher of what it means to love and be loved.
Elyce is preceded in death by her husband Ken and her granddaughter Amy. She is immediately survived by her brother Harvey; her grandchildren Joey, Joshua, and Ari; her children Brad and Debbie; her daughter-in-law Deina; along with extended family and friends too numerous to list. The Melmon family expresses gratitude to Dr. Teresa Nauenburg, M.D. for her deep compassion and clinical skill in caring for Elyce throughout the last two years.
Elyce asked that donations be made to East Side Preparatory School in East Palo Alto (accessible online at eastside.org). A celebration of life will be held at Elyce's home on Saturday, October 25, 2025 from 2-5PM. Please contact elycemelmonmemorial@gmail.com for more details.
No more than words that may fail to appease,
Though pride and pretense tangle with reason,
Still hawk and hummingbird share the same breeze, and roses return every season