Sherla J. Melendy

EAST BARRE – Sherla Jane Melendy, 70, a longtime resident of Phil Street, passed away peacefully at her home on Friday, October 13, 2017. Her loving family was with her at her bedside.

Born in Barre City on June 18, 1947, she was the daughter of Warren “Dusty” and Evangeline “Angie” (Whitcomb) Melendy. In her early years she attended schools in Johnson and Chelsea before moving to Upper Websterville and finishing elementary school. She then went to Spaulding High School and graduated as part of the Class of 1965.

Following her schooling, she took a job at Sprague Electric for some time before going to work at the Berlin Health and Rehabilitation Center, and later, Malden Mills. From there, she took a job at Washington County Mental Health Services working several years primarily one on one with individual consumers. In addition, she served as a home provider for two developmentally delayed individuals.

In 1968 she married Michael McGlynn in St. Sylvester Church in Graniteville and they had three children together. After their separation she met Mark Forgette and they became married on October 9, 1992 in St. Edward Catholic Church in Williamstown. They had two children together and made their home in East Barre for the rest of Sherla’s life.

Sherla will always be remembered for her charitable giving. She supported various causes and organizations including: aid to Native Americans, St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, and the Jimmy Fund. Sherla will also be remembered as a patriotic American who was extremely proud of her three brothers who served in the U.S. Armed Forces.

Throughout her life, Sherla had many hobbies and interests, but the most important to her were: the Boston Red Sox, camping in Maine, listening to country music (particularly the Statler Brothers) and spending time with family and friends.

Survivors include her husband, Mark Forgette, of East Barre; Two sons, Justin Forgette and his wife, Erin, of Chattanooga, TN and Shan McGlynn of St. Johnsbury; two daughters, Suellen Bottiggi and her husband, Thomas, of East Calais and Cara Croteau and her husband, Tom, of South Barre and four grandchildren, Caitlyn Bottiggi, Alec and Amelia Croteau, and Lukas Forgette. She also leaves three brothers, Andrew Melendy and his wife, Pearl, of Williamstown, Stephen Melendy of East Montpelier and Bruce Melendy and his wife, Donna, and three sisters, Dianne Bishop of Northfield, Joanne Tremblay and her husband Roger of Websterville, and Carole Noury and her husband, Michael of Williamstown, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her daughter Sonya McGlynn, her uncle Dallas “Big D” Melendy, a niece Angel Melendy and a nephew Nick Bishop.

A service to honor and celebrate Sherla’s life will be held on Saturday, October 21, 2017, at 2:00 p.m. in the Hooker and Whitcomb Funeral Home, 7 Academy Street, Barre. Interment will follow in the St. Sylvester Cemetery in Websterville. There are no calling hours.

In Lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105; “The Jimmy Fund” at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284-9168 or to the Central Vermont Home Health and Hospice, 600 Granger Road, Barre, VT 05641.