Mary Ellen Melder

Melder OBIT

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Passed away on Wednesday, February 18th 2026 at the age of 83. She is predeceased by her parents, Patrick and Honora (O’Connell) McWalters; sister, Oona McWalters and sister-in-law, Barbara Melder. MaryEllen is survived by her loving husband of 59 years, John; children, Sean Melder and Shannon McGuire; brother, Peter McWalters (wife Alice McWalters); sister, Ann Greehan; nieces and nephews, Jennifer McWalters, Molly Morano, Katherine McWalters, Maura Greehan, Michael Greehan, Daniel Lochner, Tara Lochner and Mary Francis LeBarre; grandchildren, Samantha, Amanda, Andrew, Drake, Johnathan and Elena and life-long friend Linda Heditniemi. 

MaryEllen grew up in Lynn, MA, graduated from St. Mary’s girls High School and Emmanuel College, Boston. She received a Master’s degree from the University of Virginia. MaryEllen taught at Rollins College, FL, Spellman College, Atlanta and after coming to Rochester taught for many years at Holy Cross, Cardinal Mooney HS and Aquinas Institute.

MaryEllen loved family, reading, theater, American and Irish history and literature as well as country music. Her family will miss her.

Friends may call Thursday (Feb 26th) 4-7 PM at Vay-Schleich and Meeson, 1075 Long Pond Road, where her Prayer Service will be held at 7:00 PM.  Private Interment, Holy Sepulchre Cemetery.  

13 Comments

  1. Linda Hedetniemi on February 23, 2026 at 10:24 am

    Having MaryEllen in my life for 80 of my 83 years has been a blessing. We’ve shared so many happy and some sad times together through the years and remained close because of all of them.
    My sympathy and prayers go out to the family,
    Rest easy my forever friend!
    Love, Linda



  2. Janet Olexy on February 23, 2026 at 10:50 am

    I taught English at Aquinas with Mary Ellen. I was new to the profession, and she was very helpful and kind. We even shared a classroom for a year or two. She was a lovely person.



  3. Sue Miller on February 23, 2026 at 8:01 pm

    John, I am so sorry to read that your dear Mary Ellen has passed on. Undoubtedly, the most difficult thing in life is to lose a loved one, especially someone you’ve been married to for 59 years. May her soul rest in peace and please know that I’m thinking of you with loving thoughts and prayers. My heart is with you. With deepest sympathy, Sue MacDonald Miller.



  4. Kimberly Rouleau on February 24, 2026 at 11:54 am

    I loved Mary Ellen! She was my AP Literature teacher when I was in high school and my colleague when I taught 11th grade at AQ. She was a great person. I will miss my chance meetings with her at Wegmans.



  5. Joe Amorese HCS Class of 1971 on February 24, 2026 at 12:38 pm

    I remember her from my days at Holy Cross School. I remember her being very nice. She had a bit of an accent and we all thought she was from England. There should be more teachers like her in our school systems. My sympathy to her entire family.



  6. Angela Holy Cross Class of 1971 on February 24, 2026 at 1:19 pm

    Mrs. Melder was one of my favorite grammer school teachers at Holy Cross . I will always remember her kind manner and her infectious smile.
    My condolences to her family.



  7. Mj Kembitz, Class of 72, Holy Cross School. on February 24, 2026 at 2:50 pm

    Mrs. Melder was one of my teachers at Holy Cross School. She was one of the favorites of many of us. My condolences to her family and friends.



  8. Jennifer Rybak on February 24, 2026 at 4:41 pm

    Mary Ellen was one of my favorite colleagues when I started teaching English and French here at AQ in 1998. She was always so helpful to me as a brand new teacher, and had some amazing insights she would share during our shared lunch period. I loved her vocabulary and marveled at some of the words she would interject, ever so gracefully, into our conversations. She did have a certain quiet grace about her, and I admired her very much for that.

    Sending prayers of comfort and peace to Mary Ellen’s family at this most difficult time. She is probably already reading her next novel in heaven, God bless her! <3



  9. Rev Tim Edin on February 24, 2026 at 7:29 pm

    I had English with Mrs Melder at Aquinas. She had a great love for literature and students. I pray she is now at peace. Rev Tim Edin, class of 1997.



  10. Jim Knight on February 24, 2026 at 7:54 pm

    Had Mrs. Melder at Holy Cross. Worked with her as a fellow teacher at Cardinal Mooney. Truly a nice lady. Rest in Peace!!!



  11. Eileen E. Connelly on February 25, 2026 at 4:14 pm

    MaryEllen was a wonderful teacher and a fabulous speech coach at Cardinal Mooney. We were so blessed to work with her at AQ. She was among the most well-read and fun-loving English teachers I ever worked with. My sympathy to her family on such a tremendous loss.



  12. Eugene Oberst on February 26, 2026 at 7:12 am

    Mary Ellen was a kind, generous person of grace. She cared deeply for her students and those around her & I was fortunate to work w/ her at both Cardinal Mooney & Aquinas.



  13. Gigina Giorgi, AQ 2005 on February 26, 2026 at 5:32 pm

    Mrs. Melder was a fantastic English teacher! I hope she is at Peace and my deepest sympathy goes out to her family.



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