Elizabeth "Elisa" Mary Melon

Elizabeth Mary Melon was born Elisa Mary Burgani on June 28, 1925 in Naples, Italy. She was the second oldest in a large family of nine children, growing up with four brothers and four sisters. She attended school in Italy and after graduating, worked as a legal secretary.

Elizabeth met her husband-to-be, Herman, in 1947 in Naples. After a long engagement of nine years, they married on July 25, 1954 in Naples. Herman traveled to the United States to join his sisters, Anna and Ellen, in Denver in 1956. Once Herman was established in Denver, Elizabeth and their 9 month old son, Anthony, immigrated to join Herman and his family. They soon had two daughters, Patricia and Ingrid, who grew up with their many cousins. Elizabeth learned to speak English through classes at the Emily Griffith Opportunity School. Elizabeth, Herman, and Anthony all took pride in being naturalized as United States citizens on May 22, 1970.

Elizabeth had many talents. During World War II, she crocheted and knitted numerous clothing items for herself and others. She learned to play the piano by ear when she was a young girl. Elizabeth was a wonderful cook! Every Sunday she would prepare a scrumptious dinner for her family. Herman always demanded Elizabeth’s “decent” bread Ah, those days when regard for flavor overrode today's "nutrition" concerns! Even after her children grew up, those meals would still bring them home on Sundays. Elizabeth also enjoyed sewing and made clothes for her daughters. When her youngest child started school in 1970, Elizabeth began work for the Neusteter's department store. Her duties as a tailor/seamstress kept her active there for eight years. Even though she had never tailored a man's suit, Elizabeth taught herself those skills that certainly kept the Nuesteters customers happy. Conscious of what the ladies might need, Elizabeth also learned quickly how to alter wedding gowns. After she was laid off from Nuesteters, Elizabeth joined Herman at Redfield's, doing assembly work for a short time. Her tailor duties resumed in 1980 when Elizabeth joined the crew at the Richmond Brothers mens clothing store at the Cinderella City Mall, serving their customers until her retirement in 1991.

Elizabeth and Herman were married for 36 years before Herman passed away in 1990. He and Elizabeth had four grandchildren: their grandson, Aaron, and their three granddaughters, Kendra, Kristen, and Madisyn . She loved having them to spoil, and their parents never complained about that too much! Aaron, the oldest, was the most fortunate to have known and built warm memories of his grandmother before she was stricken with Alzheimers in 2000. Even as that disease progressed, Elizabeth's greatest joy was her grandchildren. Her family knows Elizabeth is now proudly sharing those memories with Herman. Elizabeth will always be remembered as a very generous, loving person with an infectious smile and laugh.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Elizabeth's name to the Alzheimer’s Association of Colorado, 455 Sherman Street, Suite 500, Denver, CO 80203, 1.800.272.3900, www.alz.org/co