LONGMEADOW, Mass. – Fay G. (Saltzman) LaMelle, 96, of 770 Converse St., died Friday, Dec. 26, 2008. Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., she moved to the Springfield, Mass., area as a child. She loved to play bridge and mahjong, and gathered with her family every Saturday night to play pinochle. While at the Jewish Nursing Home, she liked to play bingo. Fay was very involved with caring for her family, especially her mother after her father passed away. She was an excellent cook and always had a kind word for everyone. She was well liked by all and was very kind, soft and sweet. As the eldest daughter, Fay was like a second mother to her nieces and nephews, which is a major reason why her family remains close today. She was a member of Independent City of Homes Association and former member of Temple Beth El. She was a very supportive wife to her husband of 52 years, Milton LaMelle, who passed away in 1987. Fay was also predeceased by her three sisters, Eleanor Eckman, Esta Weisenberg and Laura Rosen. She leaves her two daughters, Gloria Miller of Bangor and Veta Fabian of Portland, Conn.; her brother, Bernard Saltzman of Springfield, Mass.; her sister, Anne Vinick of Longmeadow, Mass.; her six grandchildren, Howard, Randi, Lori, Debra, David and Michelle; and her 13 great-grandchildren. Her funeral will be 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 28, at Ascher-Zimmerman Funeral Home, Springfield, Mass., with burial at City of Homes Cemetery. Upon conclusion at the cemetery, the family will be returning to the home of Jim Vinick, 74 Prynne Ridge Road, Longmeadow, Mass., with a shiva service 4:30 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to Jewish Geriatric Services, 770 Converse St., Longmeadow, MA 01106 or online at www.jewishgeriatric.org or to the charity of your choice.
FAY LAMELLE
