Melanie Jane (Lyons) Deware, 48, of Easton, MA, formerly of Quincy died Friday, May 31, 2013 after a brief battle with cancer. Born in Meriden, CT, Melanie moved to Boston to attend Simmons College and decided to make the area her new home. On a whim she took the Massachusetts State Teachers exam. After passing the test Melanie answered one job advertisement, had one job interview, was offered a position and became a teacher. She often commented that after her first day as a Social Studies teacher at Bristol Plymouth Regional Technical High School, BP for short, in Taunton, she knew she had found her calling. The teachers and students of BP became her second family. Melanie became a Class Advisor to many classes including this years Junior Class. Throughout her four months of chemotherapy, and technically on sick leave, she insisted on assisting in raising funds for the class and was preparing for the Junior Prom. Melanie was even at school selling Prom Tickets just days before her final trip into Mass General Hospital. As well as being a class advisor. She was an advisor for the Honor Society Advisor, a true friend and role model to thousands of students, and an easy mark to get a piece of candy from in the afternoon. Melanie and her husband Scott met during a busy time in Scotts race driving career when he was transitioning from professional power boat racing to auto racing. As usual she embraced this as part of her life saying on day one give me a job; I dont plan on just standing around. They embraced racing together. Scott proposed marriage at one of the race team Christmas parties, the wedding was planned around the race schedule and the honey moon was even delayed a week because of a race. But that was all part of the life she knew she was marrying into. In 1995 Scott and Melanie moved to Easton, MA. They purchased the oldest house in the town, the 1717 Josiah Keith House. Another project. Often described by Scott as a real love | hate relationship, over the next decade they restored the property into a home that was both warm and educational. Two things very important to Melanie. During this time she developed a love for Easton and its history. Not one to sit around, Melanie was elected to the Easton Historical Commission and soon became its Chairwoman. As a member of the Historical Commission she took on the goal to save many of Eastons historic properties that were at risk. She speared headed the passing of a demolition delay bylaw to help prevent the unnecessary destruction of historically important buildings. She assisted with the filing of numerous grants and other fundraising to assist with the work in the town. Her greatest challenge though was the Ames Shovel Shops development. With her efforts the site was listed as one of the top ten most endangered historical sites in America. Over several years Melanie and the Commission battled for a development plan for the historic industrial revolution property that would both respect its history and be a viable productive piece of Eastons future. The current work now underway at this site is in itself a testament to her resolve and tenacity. Recently, it was announced at town meeting that the museum to be built on site will be dedicated in her memory. In addition to the Historical Commission Melanie also became the Chair of the Easton Cemetery Commission. Melanie was also a board member of the Easton Historical Society and loved to volunteer at open houses at the Historical Society. Because of Melanies love and dedication to preserve the history and character of the town of Easton, the Easton Lions Club recently awarded her with their 2013 Outstanding Service Award. In addition Melanie was recognized by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts House of Representatives for her service to her community. As a child Melanie loved going to fairs and entering her canning, pickles and other preserves and visiting the rabbit and chickens on display. She continued this love throughout her life and won over 200 blue ribbons and countless other awards. She has passed this winning tradition and love of tradition on to her girls and all three are award winners, entering their handiwork in several fairs each year. Melanie was also a tireless supporter of her daughters in their activities including school and Girl Scouts. Although she refused to join Scott on the ski slopes, Melanie was an enthusiastic supporter of her three girls skiing interest and especially their Ski Racing. She was very proud of their successes on the race course as well as their becoming Junior Ski Instructors and assisting teaching other children (some older than themselves) how to ski. Whether it was a dance recital, school concert, Girl Scout Bridging ceremony, Bethany winning her first ski race, Lily winning her boat races or Eden, the littlest skier in her racing age group beating the big kids, they were her girls. Melanie was also a member of the Easton Grange, the Former Wollaston Chapter of the Eastern Star, Current member of the Braintree Chapter of the Eastern Star, Member of the St. Chrysostoms Episcopal Church in Quincy. A graduate of Simmons College, Boston she received a Masters in Education from The University Of Massachusetts, Boston as well as doing additional post graduate work at Bridgewater State College, Bridgewater, MA. Melanie passed away at home surrounded by family. Several days before there were family and friends coming and going, kids playing, dogs chasing the cat, a choreographed atmosphere that many would see as organized chaos. Just exactly what Melanie loved. Melanie is survived by her Husband D. Scott Deware and her children Lily, Bethany, and Eden, parents John (Jack) and Charlotte (Urban) Lyons of CT. Melanie is the Sister of Michael J. Lyons and his wife Cheryl of S.C., John J. Lyons Jr. and his wife Charlene, Erik J. Lyons and his wife Pam, both of CT, Patrick W. Lyons and his wife Anya of NH. Niece of Mary Ellen Lyons of CT, Sister-in-law of Cptn. Jacklyn Deware Webb, USN Ret. of FL., Daughter-in-law of Mary E. Deware of Quincy and the late Donald M. Deware, also survived by cousins, Cara, Danny and Erin and their families, nephews, Chandler, Nicholas, Kevin, Anthony, Jason, Brayden, Jack, nieces Marisa, Kelsey, Selbie, and Grace. A Celebration of Melanies life will be conducted in the St. Chrysostoms Episcopal Church, corner of Hancock and Linden Street, Quincy (Wollaston), on Tuesday, June 4, 2013 at 11 a.m. Family and friends are invited to visit on Monday at the Copeland | MacKinnon Funeral Home, 38 Center Street, Easton, MA from 2 - 4 and 7 - 9 p.m. and from 10 | 11 a.m. in the church prior to the funeral. Burial will be private in the Blue Hill Cemetery, Braintree. Remembrances may be made to Deware Family Educational Fund, C/O Marilyn Cyr, North Easton Savings Bank, P.O. Box 299, North Easton, MA 02356 or the charity of your choice . Services under the direction of the Deware Funeral Home, Quincy. To post an on line condolence
Melanie Jane (Lyons) Deware, 48, of Easton, MA, formerly of Quincy died Friday, May 31, 2013 after a brief battle with cancer. Born in Meriden, CT, Melanie moved to Boston to attend Simmons College and decided to make the area her new home. On a whim she took the Massachusetts State Teachers exam. After passing the test Melanie answered one job advertisement, had one job interview, was offered a position and became a teacher. She often commented that after her first day as a Social Studies teacher at Bristol Plymouth Regional Technical High School, BP for short, in Taunton, she knew she had found her calling. The teachers and students of BP became her second family. Melanie became a Class Advisor to many classes including this years Junior Class. Throughout her four months of chemotherapy, and technically on sick leave, she insisted on assisting in raising funds for the class and was preparing for the Junior Prom. Melanie was even at school selling Prom Tickets just days before her final trip into Mass General Hospital. As well as being a class advisor. She was an advisor for the Honor Society Advisor, a true friend and role model to thousands of students, and an easy mark to get a piece of candy from in the afternoon. Melanie and her husband Scott met during a busy time in Scotts race driving career when he was transitioning from professional power boat racing to auto racing. As usual she embraced this as part of her life saying on day one give me a job; I dont plan on just standing around. They embraced racing together. Scott proposed marriage at one of the race team Christmas parties, the wedding was planned around the race schedule and the honey moon was even delayed a week because of a race. But that was all part of the life she knew she was marrying into. In 1995 Scott and Melanie moved to Easton, MA. They purchased the oldest house in the town, the 1717 Josiah Keith House. Another project. Often described by Scott as a real love | hate relationship, over the next decade they restored the property into a home that was both warm and educational. Two things very important to Melanie. During this time she developed a love for Easton and its history. Not one to sit around, Melanie was elected to the Easton Historical Commission and soon became its Chairwoman. As a member of the Historical Commission she took on the goal to save many of Eastons historic properties that were at risk. She speared headed the passing of a demolition delay bylaw to help prevent the unnecessary destruction of historically important buildings. She assisted with the filing of numerous grants and other fundraising to assist with the work in the town. Her greatest challenge though was the Ames Shovel Shops development. With her efforts the site was listed as one of the top ten most endangered historical sites in America. Over several years Melanie and the Commission battled for a development plan for the historic industrial revolution property that would both respect its history and be a viable productive piece of Eastons future. The current work now underway at this site is in itself a testament to her resolve and tenacity. Recently, it was announced at town meeting that the museum to be built on site will be dedicated in her memory. In addition to the Historical Commission Melanie also became the Chair of the Easton Cemetery Commission. Melanie was also a board member of the Easton Historical Society and loved to volunteer at open houses at the Historical Society. Because of Melanies love and dedication to preserve the history and character of the town of Easton, the Easton Lions Club recently awarded her with their 2013 Outstanding Service Award. In addition Melanie was recognized by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts House of Representatives for her service to her community. As a child Melanie loved going to fairs and entering her canning, pickles and other preserves and visiting the rabbit and chickens on display. She continued this love throughout her life and won over 200 blue ribbons and countless other awards. She has passed this winning tradition and love of tradition on to her girls and all three are award winners, entering their handiwork in several fairs each year. Melanie was also a tireless supporter of her daughters in their activities including school and Girl Scouts. Although she refused to join Scott on the ski slopes, Melanie was an enthusiastic supporter of her three girls skiing interest and especially their Ski Racing. She was very proud of their successes on the race course as well as their becoming Junior Ski Instructors and assisting teaching other children (some older than themselves) how to ski. Whether it was a dance recital, school concert, Girl Scout Bridging ceremony, Bethany winning her first ski race, Lily winning her boat races or Eden, the littlest skier in her racing age group beating the big kids, they were her girls. Melanie was also a member of the Easton Grange, the Former Wollaston Chapter of the Eastern Star, Current member of the Braintree Chapter of the Eastern Star, Member of the St. Chrysostoms Episcopal Church in Quincy. A graduate of Simmons College, Boston she received a Masters in Education from The University Of Massachusetts, Boston as well as doing additional post graduate work at Bridgewater State College, Bridgewater, MA. Melanie passed away at home surrounded by family. Several days before there were family and friends coming and going, kids playing, dogs chasing the cat, a choreographed atmosphere that many would see as organized chaos. Just exactly what Melanie loved. Melanie is survived by her Husband D. Scott Deware and her children Lily, Bethany, and Eden, parents John (Jack) and Charlotte (Urban) Lyons of CT. Melanie is the Sister of Michael J. Lyons and his wife Cheryl of S.C., John J. Lyons Jr. and his wife Charlene, Erik J. Lyons and his wife Pam, both of CT, Patrick W. Lyons and his wife Anya of NH. Niece of Mary Ellen Lyons of CT, Sister-in-law of Cptn. Jacklyn Deware Webb, USN Ret. of FL., Daughter-in-law of Mary E. Deware of Quincy and the late Donald M. Deware, also survived by cousins, Cara, Danny and Erin and their families, nephews, Chandler, Nicholas, Kevin, Anthony, Jason, Brayden, Jack, nieces Marisa, Kelsey, Selbie, and Grace. A Celebration of Melanies life will be conducted in the St. Chrysostoms Episcopal Church, corner of Hancock and Linden Street, Quincy (Wollaston), on Tuesday, June 4, 2013 at 11 a.m. Family and friends are invited to visit on Monday at the Copeland | MacKinnon Funeral Home, 38 Center Street, Easton, MA from 2 - 4 and 7 - 9 p.m. and from 10 | 11 a.m. in the church prior to the funeral. Burial will be private in the Blue Hill Cemetery, Braintree. Remembrances may be made to Deware Family Educational Fund, C/O Marilyn Cyr, North Easton Savings Bank, P.O. Box 299, North Easton, MA 02356 or the charity of your choice . Services under the direction of the Deware Funeral Home, Quincy. To post an on line condolence
