July 27, 1946 – June 11, 2010
Melanie Pitcher Kelly passed away unexpectedly at her home in Glen Ellen last week. A perpetual 45-year-old woman in a 63 year-old body, Melanie grew up in Burlingame with her two sisters, Joni Derickson and Meredith Hystad. She lived for several years in Aspen, Colorado and Tacoma, Washington but spent most of her life in northern California from Mill Valley, to Kenwood and Santa Cruz, and finally back to Glen Ellen.
Melanie earned a degree in sociology from the University of the Pacific and made the study of people part of her every day life. She loved making new friends and including them in her circle, learning about them and their families as time went on.
A world traveler in her 20s and early 30s, Melanie and her then-husband sailed the high seas in exotic ports of call around the globe. She was also an avid skier and spent many a happy day on the slopes.
A joyful person who was full of life, Melanie’s true passion were her children, of whom she was incredibly proud. Daughter, Cameron Kelly (30) and son, Beau Kelly (28) were the light of her life and she lived to spend time with them.
Cameron remembers her mom as someone who marched to the beat of her own drummer, and taught Cameron to follow suit, to always be true to herself. “My mom’s joy was contagious. She lit up everyone around her with her charm and her wit. She will be missed,” said Cameron Kelly.
A private family burial is planned and a memorial celebration to honor Melanie’s life will be held at a later date.
