Helen was born to parents Helen (Donovan) McMahon and Michael McMahon of Rochester, NY on the 4th of September, 1934. She was the second of two children, the elder being Reverend Gerard J. McMahon who predeceased his sister in January of 2015.
After graduating from Nazareth Academy, she worked as a model, a sales associate at Edwards Department Store, and then at the Eastman Kodak Company.
While working at Kodak, she went to a picnic party on the shores of Lake Ontario where she met her future husband, Arthur Melville. While they were smitten on a first date the night before Art left for a stint in the US Army (Okinawa, Japan), they did not start dating seriously until he returned to Rochester 3 years later.
Married in 1959, Helen and Art enjoyed an Autumn honeymoon touring New England and life started accelerating at that point for both of them. They had 3 children in the following 4 years, Arthur (Elizabeth) Melville, Peter (Kim) Melville and Molly (the late Andy) Hill.
Helen dove into motherhood volunteering at the children’s schools, teaching CCD, and becoming an avid sports fan (baseball, soccer, football, lacrosse, basketball, volleyball…was there a sport she didn’t follow?). She loved spending time and traveling with Art and their children to many destinations including the Adirondack Mountains, Walt Disney World, Myrtle Beach, Cape Cod, Washington D.C., Gettysburg and various destinations in Ontario, Canada.
Once her children had grown, they blessed her with 9 grandchildren: Katherine Hill of Seattle, WA; Allison Hill of San Francisco, CA; Charles Hill of Los Angeles, CA; Grady (Shawna) Melville of Tampa, FL; Mary Catherine Melville of Charleston, SC; Reilly Melville of Charleston, SC: Bennett (Sarah Farbstein) Melville of Seattle, WA; Anna Melville of Nashville, TN; and Avery Melville of New York, NY. This is in addition to a very large number of cousins, nieces and nephews (and their children too)!
Though small in stature, Helen had a huge personality and there wasn’t a person in her life who didn’t remember her for her bright smile, unique voice and contagious laugh. (This includes the many sports fans who attended High School events in the Rochester area and heard that “loud woman from Pittsford” cheering for her teams.) “Food equals love” was one of her favorite mantras, and she delighted in cooking for and sharing meals and baked goods with friends, family and neighbors.
She will be deeply missed but lovingly remembered.
Donations in Helen’s memory may be made to St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church (saintcath.org) in Mendon, NY.
A celebration of life will be held at St. Catherine’s on Saturday 10 June, 2023 at 11AM followed by a Christian burial, and then a reception in the Monsignor Schnacky Hall adjacent to the Church.
Comments
19 responses to “Melville, Helen Ann (McMahon)”
My thoughts are with the whole Melville family. I was grateful to meet Helen and Arthur through Molly and always looked forward to seeing them when they visited Redmond or Lake Wenatchee. Helen always welcomed me and made me laugh. This is a lovely tribute to a life well lived. Love to you all.
All the Kims send their love too all the extended Melville family and the Hills. I so love hearing Molly tell stories of her mom, family and childhood. XO,
We all loved and adored Granny! What a life well lived! Her dedication to her family and her church are an inspiration to all. I was lucky to have spent time with her over the years. Sending all my love to the entire Hill & Melville families.
We are blessed to meet Helen and Art through their lovely daughter Molly. Helen was always joyful and witty, so much to be around and a wonderful grandmother to Katie, Ali and Charlie. Our deepest condolences to Art, Molly all the Melvilles and all who loved Helen. May our heavenly Father hold her close forever.
Remember Helen growing up in the neighborhood and having many fun times. She was always very happy and fun to be around so glad we caught up with her a few years ago through her cousin. My condolences to the family!
Molly and Pete – heard from my sister about your Mom’s passing, and I wanted to express my sympathy for you and your families. I remember how nice your Mom was – always with a smile. All my best.
Dave
Granny was an original. Indeed, one of a kind. I had the privilege of growing up with Art, Peter, and Molly. Neighborhood gatherings were always more fun when Mrs. Melville took part in our competitive games. Her ability to laugh at herself while trying to catch a whiffle ball encouraged others to join in the games. . More recently, I looked forward to and appreciated her weekly magazine deliveries that always included a delicious bottle of wine! I will miss the love and kindness she always showed me. Big hugs to all the Melvilles!
Our love and prayers to all the Melvilles . Buzz and I,recently caught up with Art and Helen at church, and certainly enjoyed our visit. Take care everyone, we will keep you in our prayers. Nancy and Buzz Deckman
Mrs. Melville was our neighbor in Pittsford, she would always give extra big candy bars to me and my brother. She was a wonderful and very kind person. I was very lucky to know her. Our thoughts are with the family.
My prayers for Art and all the Melville family. Helen was a very special friend through the years. We enjoyed many days together playing golf as well as many evenings.playing bridge with our husbands. She was always happy with a great sense of humor. I loved being with her.
You are in my thoughts . God bless everyone.
Joan Winfield
Helen was always the chief cheer leader when Molly and my girls played soccer at Mendon. I am sorry we lost contact when I moved in 2013. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
I met Helen and Art through Molly and I always felt so welcomed. Helen had such a warm, lovely smile and I could tell how much she enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren. My thoughts are with the Melville and Hill families at this time and all who loved Helen.
It was a pleasure and a delight to meet Helen & Arthur. Helen brought warmth and laughter to every experience. On a trip to the Pacific Northwest to watch Charlie play in a high school soccer tournament, we laughed non-stop. Helen called me a rascal with a twinkle in her eye. This memory is a gift that I will treasure for my lifetime. Rest in Peace.
Please accept our sincere sympathy at the lose of Helen. She was a precious pearl of her generation.. always ready to add some cheer. She had a beautiful family and a wonderful life. She is now safely in the arms of the Lord.
From Barb and Bill Carey
My deepest condolences. I only had the chance to meet Helen a few times when she visited the Hills in Redmond, WA. During one of those visits we sat over coffee at Bellevue Square and talked about so many things – but particularly her children and grandchildren. She was so proud of everyone. I remember how inspired I was by her energy and warmth. May her memory be for a blessing.
God Bless Helen Melville! Such a spark and wonderful soul. Matriarch to such a wonderful family and along with Art Sr, so tolerant of all of young Arthur’s rowdy friends. Condolensces and warmth to Art Senior, Art, Peter, Molly and all the grandchildren. Love, Kurt and Cherie
I knew Helen through my Dad, Ben Iaia, and through my work at Woodcliff. She was always so full of life and put a smile on my face when I would see her. She and Art were a beautiful couple and I know she is dearly missed. My love and condolences to all her family!
Our thoughts and condolences to all the Melville’s, with Helen’s passing.
What a great person and neighbor. We were neighbors for 38 years, before the Melville’s moved to Victor. So many good chats with Helen at the mailbox or over the back yard fence – sports, the neighborhood, politics, and just about anything newsworthy you would want to talk about. Always interested in what you had to say. She had a great sense of humor and would always find something to laugh over. Our sincere thoughts to all of you.