Julianne (Mulligan) Melle

Julianne Mulligan Melle, 74 of Lenox, died at BMC on April 3, 2023.  She was the daughter of the late John B. and Anne Marie Young Mulligan of Canaan, New York.  Julie grew up in Canaan.  She graduated from Chatham Central School and went on to Cardinal Cushing College.  She worked at the Institute for the Deaf and the Blind in New York City.   She received a B.S. degree in Education from North Adams State College.  Julie was a teacher of children with special needs in the BHRSD.  A gifted educator, Julie worked hard to make sure her students received all the help they needed in order for them to succeed.  Julie retired from the BHRSD after 30 years of teaching. She married Albert L. Melle on July 2, 1978.  They celebrated 43 years of marriage until his sudden death in February, 2022.  Throughout their married lives they collected antiques - traveling to auctions, antique shows, antique stores, flea markets, and tag sales.  Their home in New Lebanon, New York was a virtual museum filled with furniture, pottery, lamps, canes, and a large collection of antique tools.  The couple enjoyed going out to eat for "late lunch" at their favorite restaurants.

Julie loved the beach. Growing up, the family vacationed in Rhode Island for a week in the summer. After Al retired, he and Julie bought a home in Westerly, RI.  On warm sunny days she and Al would pack a lunch, a book for her, and reference books on antiques for him, and head off to the Town Beach.  Julie liked to walk on the beach and collect shells.  At the end of the day they would go out for a meal which might involve a stop at Brickley's for some delicious ice cream!  They loved to have family and friends visit.
Julie was generous of heart and spirit.  She was always there to lend a hand and to help anyone in need.  She loved Al, her family, her friends, her 4Runner, shopping trips, making pizzelles and fudge for Christmas, board games, wordle, and everything chocolate!

Julie is survived by her sister, Maureen (Lee) Hammel of Lenox; two brothers: John B. (Patricia) Mulligan of Averill Park, New York, Lt. Col. (ret) Brian J. (Marisa) Mulligan of Virginia Beach and Cismon Del Grappa, Italy; her sister-in-law Theresa (Mitch) Michney of Austerlitz, New York, and her former brother-in-law James (Nancy) Terry of West Stockbridge.  She leaves her nieces and nephews and their families - Adrienne Hammel, Ian A. (Christine) Hammel, Sean (Jill) Mulligan, D. Grice (Mina) Mulligan, Kathleen (John) Slyer, Ronald Regan, Richard Mulligan, Ruth (Alfonso) Lopez, Christine (Jeff) Sotek, and Holly Terry.  Julie also leaves her many cousins - those here on the East Coast, in the mid-West, on the West Coast and all the great nieces and nephews Mya, Alex, Jordan, Connor, Ronald, Erin, Julia, Caroline H., Ruby, Will, Caroline S., Maria, Lillian, John, Andrew, Caitlyn, Cara, Carson, Cassidy, Christin, Erika, Laura, Brian, Ronald, Brighton, and Bennett.

Julie was predeceased by her husband, Albert L. Melle Jr. and her nephew, James E. Terry III.

The family would like to thank the doctors from the Pulmonary Dept. at BMC, the nurses, and the staff at the Critical Care unit at BMC for their care and compassion for Julie and for us during this difficult time.

Calling hours for Julianne Mulligan Melle will be Monday, April 10th from 4 – 6PM at the Kelly Funeral Home, 3 Main St., Lee, MA.  The family requests that masks be worn.  In accordance with her wishes, burial at the Mountain View Cemetery on Housatonic St. will be private.  

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the:  Lenox Fire Department Oscar Hutchinson Scholarship Fund in memory of James E. Terry III in care of the Kelly Funeral Home, 3 Main St., Lee, MA 01238.