Melena Ose

1925 - 2022

Melena Ose
August 9, 1925 - December 29, 2022
Sacramento, California - Melena Harriett Adams Ose passed away peacefully on December 29, 2022 at her home in Sacramento, California, at the age of 97 years. The third daughter and eighth of nine children of Laura Elizabeth Hudson Adams and Dr. Jesse Franklin Adams, she was preceded in death by her husband Enlow Arlo Ose, and by her siblings Ralph [Helen] Adams, Fred [Jean] Adams, Carl [Jennie Mae] Adams, Mary [Merrill] Greer, Frank [Wilma] Adams, Ruth [Alfred] Holland, and Hugh [Betty] Adams.
Melena, or Mel, as she was widely known, was born on August 9, 1925 in Woodbury, Tennessee, where she lived her entire childhood until graduating from Woodbury High School in 1942. In high school she was on the basketball team and cheerleading squad, and won the home economics award. Her family home was a sea of activity, with everyone pitching in to keep the Good Samaritan Hospital established by her parents running, providing lots of life lessons including a dedication to a life of service. After enrolling in Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa in 1942, Mel became a member of Gamma Phi Beta sorority, served two years as dorm president, was president of the YWCA, and was initiated into the nationwide honor society Mortar Board. After earning her BS in dietetics in 1946, she accepted a position as a registered dietitian at Peter Bent Brigham Hospital in Boston, MA.
Mel met her future husband, Enlow Arlo Ose, son of Oscar and Beulah Ose of Williams, Iowa, at Iowa State. The story is that they became engaged on their first date. Their marriage took place on September 27, 1947, in Woodbury, Tennessee, and lasted more than 73 years until Enlow's death in 2020. Following their marriage, Mel joined Enlow in Anderson, Indiana, where they began their family. She sat him down and they drew up a budget, to which she made sure they strictly adhered. In return, Mel learned how to play bridge from Enlow, who gave her lessons on their kitchen floor. They quickly became part of the community largely thanks to the game of bridge.
In 1955, Melena and Enlow moved to Sacramento after receiving an enticing letter about employment opportunities for Enlow from Mel's brother-in-law, Al Holland. In 1961 they built and moved into the family home, where she lived until her death.
Throughout her life, Mel developed treasured and enduring friendships through her participation in community and philanthropic activities, bridge, church, PEO, writers groups, and sports. When her children were young, she was the Girl Scouts leader and served on the PTA. As her children matured, she took on more and more responsibilities outside her home, assuming leadership roles. Melena was instrumental in serving as a founding member of the Sacramento Region Community Foundation Board of Directors. She chaired the Iowa State University Foundation Investment Committee, chaired the Capital Public Radio Board, and served on the Crocker Art Museum Investment Committee. Mel was President of the Fremont Presbyterian Church Women's Group and served as Deacon of the Sacramento Packet Marinership. She was also actively involved in the JU chapter of PEO, enhanced both the Fortune Cookies Investment Club and the Inner Wheel Investment Club, and served on the grand jury. Numerous nonprofit organizations benefited from Mel's philanthropy, including Crocker Art Museum, Sacramento State University, McGeorge School of Law, KVIE, Capital Public Radio, and Sutter Medical Center. She also continued to support her hometown community of Woodbury, Tennessee. Melena and Enlow both understood the importance of a good education and established scholarships for students at Iowa State University and for Sacramento area high school graduates. Mel was widely respected for her accomplishments. Her circle of friends and admirers grew, and she provided valued inspiration for many others.
Mel was a family person, and is beloved by her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and 36 nieces and nephews. She was instrumental in seeing that her descendants had the opportunity to remain in contact with their extended family. She helped her children, and later her grandchildren, improve their lives. Very health conscious, she took great care of her family, encouraging activity, nutrition, and education. Her belief that "bodies that stay moving, keep moving" served her well, affording her a long and happy life. She also kept her mind active by continually reading, learning, and playing competitive bridge.
Mel greatly enjoyed many things in life. She loved the outdoors. As a child, she liked to ride Peggy, her family pony, and Tennessee walking horses. She could "really sit a horse," said her brother Frank. Other outdoor pursuits included roller skating, basketball, skiing, golf, hiking and backpacking, and her favorite, tennis. She didn't learn to swim until after her children did, however. She was an avid gardener.
Mel also loved to travel, most of the time with Enlow, and visited all seven continents and both polar regions, enjoying some special adventures including being on the first passenger ship to cross the Northwest Passage from Alaska to Greenland without an icebreaker, and hiking through the jungles in Papua New Guinea where indigenous people had not previously seen people who looked like her. In her 70's, she could still be found backpacking with friends in the Sierra Nevada, walking across England with family alongside Hadrian's Wall, snowmobiling in Svalbard, and walking along the American River Parkway.
Mel was also passionate about writing. A lifelong writer, she always kept a journal. In later years, she dove into writing groups to improve her writing, and became quite accomplished.
Mel appreciated the arts and enjoyed viewing the works of others. She dabbled in stitchery, painting and drawing. She also was a fine pianist, and made sure her children knew how to play.
Melena is survived by her daughters Margie [Bill] Campbell, Mary Ose, Susan Ose, and son Doug [Lynnda] Ose; her five grandchildren whom she completely adored: Chris [Kim] Campbell, Jennifer [Jake Samascott] Ose-MacDonald, Betsey [Shane] Astle, Erika [Chris Montes] Ose, and Emily [Alex] Breece; ten great grandchildren, Hannah, Sadie, Kevin, Carson, Lillian, MacKenzie, Taylor, Riley, Madelaine and V. Cruz; and her sister Agnes [Audie] Adkison. She loved her large and extended family with her whole heart, and they loved, admired and appreciated her beyond measure.
Her own person til the end, Mel will be dearly missed by all who knew her. Her family and friends will always value the example she set through leading a fulfilling life that brought joy to so many.
A celebration of Melena's life will be held in the late spring or early summer. Please notify a family member if you would like to receive details when they become available. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that gifts be made in Melena's memory to Sutter Care at Home (Hospice) of Sacramento.