Marjorie A. Mello

Born in New Bedford and raised in Dartmouth, she was the daughter of poultry farmers and very much a New Englander: salt of the earth and drawn to the coast.

And she was smart. Like, real smart. As the valedictorian of her high-school class, she went on to become the first in her family to earn a college degree, graduating from Suffolk University. Later in life, she would attend classes at Harvard, UMass Dartmouth and earn a Master of Education at Lesley University.

She originally intended a career in law, landing a job as a legal clerk with the MA Southern District DA in the 1960’s. But around the time she married our dad, she found her true calling: teaching. She loved her schoolkids more than anything, imparting on them a variety of subjects, in all grade levels at Fairhaven High School and Friends Academy (Dartmouth), with the bulk of her career teaching computer science at St. Mary’s and St. James-St John School (both of New Bedford). If you were ever out with her around town, there was a good chance you’d hear a wholehearted “Hi, Mrs. Mello!” from a former student, often with their own kids in tow.

Our mom was tough as nails, because she had to be when she found herself suddenly widowed with three tweens to raise on her own. She was the boss, the don, with the deft ability to always win at the sport of butting heads, achieving an undefeated record against her children. If she wasn’t firmly team Perry Como, Sinatra’s “My Way” would’ve been her theme song.

But her greatest ability was connecting with others, giving support and sage advice to anyone who needed it. Once, when her son Rich brought her car in for service, a mechanic who he never met or knew of, leaned in through the window and said, “Please tell your mom I asked about her. She really helped me during a rough time. She’s one special lady.” There are many stories, just like that one. Her primary interest was always you.

Her favorite spot was outside her trailer on East Beach in Westport and loved art, music, travel, gardening, and devouring books. The radio was always on, tuned to either a local call-in show, the Moth or a Red Sox game with Joe Castiglione’s voice booming throughout the house.

Her later years would test her toughness again, as illness eventually made her housebound, cruelly robbing her many of the things she loved to do, like playing the piano or knitting an outfit for someone’s new kiddo. But she never wanted to quit. When her doctors gave her six months, she said “no” and lived on for another three years. She wanted more time with everyone, especially her five grandkids. We are certainly grateful for that time.

Thank you, Mom, for everything you did for us. We’ll miss your support but promise to remember and draw on your wisdom and strength when times are tough. You are loved.

Marjorie Ann Mello was the daughter of the late Lillian (Dutra) and Albert Benton and was pre-deceased by her husband, James Emanuel Mello. She was the sister of Raymond Benton (deceased) and Everett Benton.

She is survived by her three children: Leslie Mello, Robert Mello and Richard Mello along with their spouses, Stephen Wood, Diane Mello and Jennifer Zankel (respectively).

Also survived by her five grandchildren: Lillian and Lexi Wood, Oliver and Harrison Mello, and Benjamin Mello.

Services will be held Friday, May 3rd, 10:00 AM at St. John the Baptist Church, 945 Main Rd., Westport, MA. Reception to follow immediately afterwards three doors down at Westport Grange 181 (931 Main Rd.). Burial service for family members will take place later in the day at Riverside Cemetery, Fairhaven. There will be no wake. Arrangements are in the care of ROCK FUNERAL HOME www.rock-funeralhome.com

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Marjorie’s name to The New Bedford Whaling Museum or the Westport Land Conservation Trust.