Lucia Grace Conte Melham

Born Dec. 19, 1910, in Iron Mountain, Lucia was the second of nine children of Antonio and Maria Conte. Graduating from high school in 1929, she completed secretarial school in Milwaukee, and ultimately became assistant to the president of the Telegraph & Telephone Co.

With the advent of World War II, her section was assigned to the War Production Board in Chicago. In late 1943 she met Thomas W. Melham, manager at Prudential Insurance and a lifelong Shriner. They married in early 1944 and began their family in Whitefish Bay, Wis., but in 1953 — with Tom’s promotion to head Prudential’s Manhattan office, they moved to Northport, Long Island, N.Y.

Lucia’s skills in that pre-email age greatly assisted her husband’s home office and his work for the Shrine Hospitals over many years.

Lucia also ran their 7-acre azalea nursery until Tom’s passing in 1988, bringing her to Lemoyne to be closer to her two sons’ families, and retirement.

She is survived by her sons, John Melham (wife Linda) of Mechanicsburg, Pa., and Thomas Melham Jr. of Washington D.C.; a sister, Virginia Blair of Chanhassen, Minn.; stepdaughter, Mary Lou Jaeger of Eagle River, Wis.; four grandchildren, Jason Melham (Nanette), Lisa Melham Trogner (Curt), Timothy Melham, and Mark Melham; and by four great-grandchildren.

Retaining her New York exposure to the arts, theatre, and opera, Lucia avidly followed science, history and nature media up to her last month. Fundamental to her happiness in life were always family and friends and rendering maternal love and guidance. She will be missed by all that knew her.

Visitation will be held 10 to 11 a.m. today, followed immediately by a memorial service officiated by the Rev. Samuel Dubois.

Interment alongside her husband will occur on a later date at Wisconsin Memorial Park in Brookfield, Wis.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children, donate.lovetotherescue.org, or by mail: 2900 Rocky Point Dr., Tampa, FL 33607.