Mary Elisabeth (Hitchcock) Mellen

Mary Elisabeth (Hitchcock) Mellen, 89 of Cross Village, Michigan passed away peacefully at home with her wonderful view of Lake Michigan in her sight. Marybeth was born December 2, 1926 in Danbury, Connecticut. She spent her early years growing up in Tarrifville, Connecticut and moved to Detroit at age 13 where she lived until 1981.

Marybeth married Harry Wesley Mellen, Jr. on June 9, 1956. They resided in Grosse Pointe Park and City where they both were quite active in the community. Marybeth was a volunteer for Goodwill Industries and co-chaired their annual Antique Show Charity event. She was also very active in the Grosse Pointe Women's Garden Club during the seventies where she often hosted their monthly meetings at her home on Balfour Rd. Marybeth and Harry were active members of the Grosse Pointe Memorial Presbyterian Church where Marybeth taught Sunday school and Harry served as an elder. In addition, they were members of the Indian Village Tennis Club, The Grosse Pointe Hunt Club, and lifetime members of the Detroit Boat Club. Both Marybeth and Harry had a great love of dogs and always had a Brittany as a companion throughout their 48 year marriage.

Marybeth and Harry retired to Cross Village, Michigan in 1981 and also maintained a home in Keowee Key, Salem South Carolina where they wintered for many years. They were members of both Redpath Memorial Church in Cross Village and First Presbyterian Church of Harbor Springs. Marybeth served as secretary for several years at Redpath and Harry served as Treasurer. Marybeth was also active in the local  book club as reading was her favorite pastime and passion.

Marybeth was preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Clara Hitchcock, her husband Harry Mellen, and her son Andrew Mellen.

She is survived by her son's, Thom Mellen of Pickney, Michigan, and Fred Gillespie (Pam) of Marietta, Georgia. Her daughter, Peggy (Mellen) Snider (Larry) of Granville, Ohio. Her six grandchildren, Scott Snider (Emily) of Columbus, Ohio, Katie Gillespie and Michael Gillespie of Marietta, Georgia, Sarah Mellen of Venice, California, Blake Snider(Jessi) of Brentwood, Tennessee, and Traci (Snider) Lobao (Erick) of Columbus, Ohio, and six great grandchildren. Also surviving her are Dianna Hoffman and Melissa Brooks who were her loving and devoted caregivers in her final years, and lastly her faithful and loving companion, her dog Rodi.

A Memorial Service will take place on April 16th at 11:00 AM at the First Presbyterian Church of Harbor Springs. Pastor Kip Murphy will officiate. Interment will take place in St. Andrews Episcopal Cemetery in Bloomfield, Ct.

Donations can be made to the Little Traverse Bay Humane Society or  the  American Brittany Rescue organization.

Arrangements were made through Schiller Funeral Home of Harbor Springs. Online messages of condolence may be made at stonefuneralhomeinc.com.


 

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