Melanie Lee Lauwers

Melanie was born December 16, 1952 in Canton, Ohio to Richard and Dolores (Oborne) Lauwers. She moved to Raynham, Massachusetts as a child and graduated from Bridgewater-Raynham H.S. in 1970.

Melanie attended Cape Cod Community College, continuing on to the University of Denver to obtain a B.A. in English with a minor in French (a language she loved deeply).

After graduating Magna Cum Laude, she continued her studies at Denver, earning an M.A. in American Literature and American Studies. Melanie also completed a doctoral program at Syracuse University, but had enough of the icy wind of Upstate New York before finishing her dissertation.

Melanie’s love of words and language was obvious - and was a constant in her career and her private life. A strong woman, she was completely content with who she was.

Melanie taught English and Literature at Cape Cod Community College and at Bridgewater State. She ultimately found fulfillment at the Cape Cod Times, where she spent twenty-five years, her love of the written word propelling her over the years into the editor position of the Health, Home, Books, Travel, and Special Sections. This was a role she took great pride in, and allowed her to explore those areas she was so interested in. Branching out, she became a monthly guest on NPR’s “The Point,” with Mindy Todd as well as hosting a book show on Cape Cod Community Media TV.

During her long career, she also participated in a Fellowship with the Blue Cross/Blue Shield Health Reporting Foundation. Melanie was a member of the Board of Directors at the Sturgis Library, Cape Cod Literacy Council, and Community Connections. Melanie loved to be a part of a team, and she treasured all of her many communities.

Melanie loved learning more than anything- the subject almost didn’t matter. Her persistent love of books let her explore the world, and she had a particular fondness for medicine, politics, gardening, science fiction, and history. She loved to hold court talking about books for hours on end, and shared her favorite books and authors with anyone who would listen.

Melanie also had a deep affection for animals. She volunteered in Florida with the Gulf Coast Humane Society and the Conservancy of Southwest Florida.

Melanie’s most satisfying role in life, though, was becoming the stepmother to two young children. Her love for Emma and Natalie knew no bounds and never ebbed. Their love for Melanie will continue long after her far-too-early death. She created a warm, loving home for them and their father, Russ Charpentier, in Marstons Mills, Ma.

Melanie retired with her husband to Fort Myers in 2015. There she thrived in the tightly-knit Pelican Preserve community, making many close friends and enjoying the area’s many activities and opportunities.

She leaves behind her loving husband, Russ Charpentier, her stepdaughters Natalie Charpentier of Miami, Emma Flynn of Harwich, her son-in-law John Flynn, and her beloved granddaughters Marsalie and Isla Flynn.

She cherished spending time with her brother Stephen Lauwers and sister-in-law Cathy Lauwers of Concord, N.H., brother and sister-in-law George and Terri Charpentier of of Fort Myers; sister-in-law and brother-in-law Joan and Vincent Bresnahan of Pine Island, Fl., brother-in-law and sister-in-law Paul and Debbie Charpentier of Dennis, Ma., and sister-in-law Margaret Charpentier of Portland, Oregon, step brother-in-law Mike Martin and step sister-in-law Janet Martin of Marstons Mills, Ma., as well as many nieces and nephews and grand nieces and nephews.

Celebrations of Melanie’s life will be planned in Pelican Preserve and on Cape Cod. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Melanie’s name to the Gulf Coast Humane Society in Fort Myers or the Conservancy of Southwest Florida in Naples.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.leememorialparkfuneralhome.com for the Lauwers family.