Helen Louise Melroy, 85, of Newport News, and formerly of Rochester, NY, passed away peacefully on December 4, 2021 in Newport News. Born on July 18, 1936 in Camden, New Jersey, she was the daughter of Thomas Fellows and Helen Carson Fellows. She attended Gloucester Catholic High School and graduated from college at Drexel University. After college, she married her beloved husband David on January 31, 1959. During David's career in the Air Force they lived all over the United States, notably Missouri, California, Hawaii, and Florida. They settled down in upstate New York near Rochester in Pittsford and Canadice and lived there over 44 years before moving to southern Virginia to be closer to family. Helen was the life of the party and enjoyed being around her family and friends, especially her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and her dogs. She also loved cooking, traveling, gardening, volunteering at church, reading, and going to her daughter Pam's space shuttle launches and landings. David and Helen also volunteered at the Rochester Challenger Center, McQuaid Jesuit and Bishop Kearney High Schools.
Helen is survived by her beloved husband of 62 years David Cordier Melroy; their three children, David Melroy Jr., Pam Melroy (Doug Hollett), and Stephen Melroy (Deanna). Helen is also survived by her five grandchildren, Adam, David III, Alec (Lisa), Justin, and Ryan; and three great grandchildren, Emma, Finley, and Asher.
The family is planning a service for a later date. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Alzheimer's Foundation of America at https://alzfdn.org/ or 322 Eighth Avenue, 7th Floor, New York NY 10001.
Arrangements by W. J. Smith & Son Funeral Home.