Dorothy Jean Melanson

Dorothy Jean Melanson, 96, of Rio Rancho, New Mexico, passed peacefully into eternal rest on the morning of May 10, 2023, after a brief illness. Her daughters and granddaughter were with her when she passed.

Dorothy was born in Southampton, England, on August 09,1926, and as a teenager endured saturation bombing attacks on England by the German Luftwaffe; she spoke of many nights spent in bomb shelters early in World War II. She met her loving husband, Bob, in England, during the war and they were married in 1945 and remained in love for 65 years until Bob passed away in October 2011. Dorothy and Bob resided on Long Island, New York, until they moved to New Mexico to be close to their daughters in 1975. She was an active member of Saint John Vianney Catholic Church in Rio Rancho.

Dorothy is survived by her daughters, Gloria Bullis of Rio Rancho, and husband Don, Maureen Orgass of Logan, New Mexico, and husband Howard, along with five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sisters Doreen, Myra, and Pauline of England, and sister-in-law, Barbara Bodami and husband Dominick of Daytona Beach, Florida, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her son Roy, in 1973, and four younger siblings in England.

Dorothy was a gentle soul, well-beloved and esteemed by all who knew her.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Saint John Vianney Catholic Church Capital Campaign, 1001 Meteor Ave., NE. Rio Rancho, New Mexico, 87144. Rosary will be celebrated on June 1, 2023, at 11:00AM. followed by a Requiem Mass at 11:30AM. Interment will then take place at Vista Verde Memorial Park in Rio Rancho, NM.