Marvis Jane Mellen, 88, a well-known Nashua resident, widow of Frank H. Mellen, passed away Thursday afternoon, March 31, 2016 at Southern New Hampshire Medical Center after a period of declining health.
A resident of this city since 1941, Mrs. Mellen was born in Raymond, NH on November 7, 1927, a daughter of the late Asbury and Elizabeth (Brown) Small. She was educated in local schools and was graduate of Nashua High School.
In the mid 1940s Marvis began her career as General Manager of N. Kamenski and Company, a local Ingot manufacturer. She was the only female manager of an Ingot manufacturer in the country at that time and was featured in an article published in The Telegraph. Marvis worked for 46 years for the late Max Silber until her retirement in the 1990s.
Active in the Nashua community, Marvis served on the Woodlawn Cemetery Board of Trustees, and worked as Voter Registrar of Ward Two for many years. She also served for over twenty-five years on the YWCA Board of Directors and was a Past President of both the YWCA & YMCA Council. Marvis was honored as Woman of Year. She was a grandniece of one of the founding members and 1st President of the Nashua YWCA, Ella Wheeler. Mrs. Mellen was a longtime member and Past Treasurer of Matthew Thornton Chapter Daughters of The American Revolution.
Marvis was a member of the First Baptist Church since 1942, serving in many capacities including President of the Women’s Fellowship and was honored as Woman of the Year in 1981. Marvis and her husband collaborated on the 150th Anniversary of the History of the First Baptist Church. She was a life member of the Nashua Historical Society and served on the Board of Directors was its treasurer for five years. Mrs. Mellen was a member of the State of New Hampshire Historical Resources Council from 1984 to 1997.
Marvis and her husband Frank were married on January 17, 1948 and happily shared 66 years together until his death on December 9, 2014. She was absolutely devoted to her family, a daughter, two granddaughters and three great-grandchildren. She was also predeceased by her brothers, Waldo Small, Asbury Small Jr. and Malcolm Small; and her sisters, Wanda (Small) Milberger and Arleen “Punny” (Small) Kain; and her sister-in-law, June (Blow) Murray.
Members of her family include her daughter, Carroll Lee Mellen and her spouse Micheal of Cape Coral, FL; two granddaughters, Elizabeth ”Liza” (Menard) Blondeau and her husband Steven of Nashua, with whom Marvis had resided for the past five months; and Theodora Menard and her spouse Marcus Archambeault of Portland, OR; three great-grandchildren, Luc and Delia Blondeau and Remy Archambeault; special nieces, Suzan Small and her husband Al, and Sandy Pelchat and her husband Rick, with whom Marvis enjoyed a special relationship.
A special thank you from the family is extended to Pat Bower, LNA, for her exquisite care of Marvis and Frank over the last couple years. No one could top the sincere compassionate care and companionship they received. She repeatedly went “above and beyond” for them and we were blessed to have her.
Calling hours will be held at the First Baptist Church, 121 Manchester Street, Nashua on Tuesday April 5th from 5 to 7 p.m. Her funeral service will take place in the First Baptist Church, Wednesday morning at 11 o’clock followed by interment in Woodlawn Cemetery. Friends are invited to attend.
