Dorothy Alice Melbourne, of Mesquite, TX., passed away peacefully on April 13th, 2024, in O’Fallon, IL. at the age of 92. She was born on June 19, 1931, in Ringwood, England to Fred and Rebecca McFarland. She will always be remembered as a loving wife, mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother to all that knew and loved her.
Dolly grew up in Ringwood, England with two brothers and six sisters. She met the love of her life Toby, and they married in 1953. They had four children and being a mom was one of her greatest joys. Her role as a mother was shown by sharing unconditional love, strength, compassion, and generosity that extended beyond her immediate family. Toby and Dolly decided to move their family to America for better job opportunities in May of 1963 to Montana before settling in Texas that same year. She spent many years making memories with her children and husband camping, traveling throughout America, spending time with her sister Nancy and family and had a great love for the holidays with all. She started dancing at the age of 14 at the local dance with her sisters and friends and this is where she would later meet the love of her life, Toby. They loved all sorts of dancing but had a particular love for ballroom dancing. They were once crowned King and Queen of their local senior dance center. They also joined an English Club to reconnect with their English heritage where they made lifelong friends that spent time traveling, camping, and dancing together. Dolly was proud of her professional life as an Activities Director at a nursing home, being a part of Lieberman Enterprises in the shipping department and as a surgical technician at a local hospital.
Dolly found joy in the simple pleasures of life, particularly hot tea, sweet treats, especially chocolate, drinking Dr. Pepper, reading romance novels, knitting, crossword puzzles and spending time with her friends and family. Dolly loved to dance and danced every opportunity she had. She continued her love of dancing even after her husband passed until the age of 87. To know Dolly was to love her…she will always be remembered as one of the most loving, funny, spunky, sarcastic, entertaining ladies to anyone that had the privilege of knowing her. Dolly had an infectious laugh and a magical smile that was loved by all. She was also wise, generous, caring and had a zest for life that will never be forgotten.
Dolly is survived by her Brother, John, of Ringwood, England; sister, Angela of St. Neots, England; children, Jeffrey Melbourne and wife Jo of Denison, TX., Gina M. Jones of O’Fallon, IL., Steven Melbourne and wife Donna of Laconia, New Hampshire, Nigel Melbourne and wife, Michelle of Northlake, TX., grandchildren Christy and husband Don, Jeff Jr. and wife Jennifer, Jason and wife Dana, Kristina and husband Paul, Cameron and wife Malia, Kelli, Alison and husband Blessing, Nathan and fiancé Kayla, Charlene, Stephanie and husband Ricky, Nigel and wife Liz, great-grandchildren Cameron, Payton, Maddie, Addison, Ayden, Ben, Kaiden, Weston, Karsen, Landon, Ashlyn, Hayden, Danielle, Michael, Ryder, August, Samambo, Maka, Sophia, Dallas, Riley, Kairi and great-great grandchildren Paislee, Tripp and Emberlyn. Aunt to Winston, Anthony, Nannette, Annie, Kylie, Jacob and many more.
Dolly was preceded in death by her father and mother Fred and Rebecca McFarland; her loving husband, Gordon “Toby” Melbourne; brother Fred and sisters Ruby, Nancy, Irene, Margaret and Elizabeth.
Please join us in celebrating a life that was rich in love, resilience, and the profound impact Dorothy Alice Melbourne had on everyone she met. Visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m. on April 24th at Roselawn Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens. The Funeral Service will be held at 2 P.M. on April 24th at Roselawn Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow in Roselawn Memorial Gardens with a reception to follow. We would love for everyone to help celebrate her by wearing her favorite color purple.
We are thankful to have been a part of her bright light that she brought to this world! Her laugh and smile will always be remembered.
If you wish to send floral condolences in honor of (Dorothy), you may call Flower Country, (972) 932-4665.
Contributions in Dorothy's memory may be made to Lewy Body Dementia Association , https://www.lbda.org/donate.
DONATIONS
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.9.6