Obituary of Susan F Mellace

Susan F. (Destafano) Mellace, 78, of Peabody, the loving, devoted wife and high school sweetheart of Arthur W. Mellace, passed away on Tuesday, June 16, 2015 at home peacefully. Born in Winthrop, Susan was the daughter of the late Amelio and Flora (Dellaporta) De Stefano and was the sister of the late Lorraine Tegan. Susan was a graduate of Revere High School. She attended Boston University and graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Music Degree. She was a member of the Pi Kappa Lambda Honor Society and the Mu Phi Epsilon International Professional Coeducational Music fraternity. While attending BU, Susan performed at Carnegie Hall. She was a member of the American Association of University Women and was awarded a scholarship towards her Masters Degree. Susan completed her Masters Degree of Arts in Piano Pedagogy from Norwich University. In addition, Susan completed education courses at Harvard University. A brilliant pianist, Susan taught piano at her own studio in her Peabody home for 41 years. She was the Director and Organist of the Children’s Choir at St. Adelaide’s Church, where she also taught CCD. Susan was President of the North Shore Piano Teacher’s Guild and was a member of the Beethoven Society. Susan was a faithful donor to the Food Pantry at St Adelaide’s Church and the Vietnam Veterans Association. She is survived by her husband, Archie of Peabody, two daughters and sons-in-law, Gina Gagnon-Carter and Richard Carter of Londonderry, NH and Michele and Richard Morelli of Yarmouth Port, MA, and a grandson and his wife, David Arthur Mellace Gagnon and Lucy Seyfarth of Philadelphia, PA. On Saturday, October 17th, the Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary will be said at 10:30 AM before the Funeral Mass at St. Adelaide’s Church, 708 Lowell St., Peabody at 11:00 AM. Burial will follow at the Puritan Lawn Memorial Park, Peabody. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to: THE SUSAN MELLACE MUSIC SCHOLARSHIP FUND, to be awarded to a high school student who will study music in college. Please mail all donations to, St. Adelaide’s Parish, 712 Lowell St., Peabody, MA 01960. Thank you.