Melrose Obituaries

Teacher and tireless mother loved golfing and quilting

Published in the Melrose Weekly News on May 22, 2026

MELROSE — Surrounded by her devoted family, Lorna Bernice Hanselman Priestley passed away peacefully on May 16, 2026, in Peabody, Massachusetts, at the extraordinary age of 104. Her long life was marked by resilience, warmth, humor and…

Award-winning realtor was a woman of faith, dignity and strength

Published in the Melrose Weekly News on May 15, 2026

MELROSE — Mary M. (Babcock) Sexton, 84, a longtime resident of Melrose and formerly of Charlestown, entered into eternal life suddenly on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, at Massachusetts General Hospital, surrounded by her loving family…

Enjoyed life and her family

Published in the Melrose Weekly News on May 15, 2026

MELROSE — Barbara J. Scott (Jackson), 80, of Melrose, passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 7, 2026, in Melrose surrounded by family after a short illness. Beloved wife of John P. O’Neil, proud mother of Laura, Brian and his wife…

Worked for DPW

Published in the Melrose Weekly News on May 15, 2026

MELROSE — Dennis Harris died on Easter Sunday, April 5, in Florida.

Dennis was born in Melrose, graduated from Melrose High and then served in the U.S. Army.

He was employed by the City of Melrose’s Public Works Department and was a…

Computer sciences pioneer, world traveler

Published in the Melrose Weekly News on May 15, 2026

METHUEN — Thomas E. Smith Sr., 82, of Methuen, formerly of Stoneham, passed away on Saturday, May 2, 2026 at his home.

Born on August 23, 1943, in Boston, Tom was one of four children of the late Hugh P…

Gregarious co-founder of Ugly Baby Soap Co.

Published in the Melrose Weekly News on May 15, 2026

MELROSE — Melanie Jo (Blance) Hamilton passed away peacefully at her home in Melrose on Tuesday, May 5, 2026.

Melanie was born in Gouverneur, NY on February 25, 1955 to the late Joan (McDonald) Blance and William Blance…

Computer sciences pioneer, world traveler

Posted on May 7, 2026

METHUEN — Thomas E. Smith Sr., 82, of Methuen, formerly of Stoneham, passed away on Saturday, May 2, 2026 at his home.

Born on August 23, 1943, in Boston, Tom was one of four children of the late Hugh P. and Helena (née McFarland) Smith…

Businesswoman and matriarch lived a love story and saw the world

Published in the Melrose Weekly News on May 8, 2026

MELROSE — Florence Cecilia (Puim) Lundstrom, of Melrose and South Yarmouth, passed away peacefully at home in Melrose on Friday, April 24, 2026, at the age of 104.

Born in Boston in 1921, she…

Passions included family, hockey, fishing, golf

Published in the Melrose Weekly News on May 8, 2026

MELROSE — It is with great sadness that we announce the loss of Salmon W. Putnam V (Sammy), age 74, on Friday, May 1, 2026. Sammy, formerly of Winchester, MA and Popponesset, MA, passed away while surrounded by his…

Loving father taught his children practical life lessons

Published in the Melrose Weekly News on May 1, 2026

MELROSE — David Muse of Melrose, Massachusetts, passed away on April 7, 2026. A proud member of the Melrose High School Class of 1986, David was someone who left an impression wherever he went—known for his humor…

Singing and dancing mother, grandmother

Published in the Melrose Weekly News on May 1, 2026

MELROSE — Mary Cilino (born Miller), passed away peacefully in Stoneham on March 10, surrounded by family, a few weeks after her 95th birthday.

Also lovingly known as Ma, Grandma, and Miss Mary, she brought an unmistakable presence to any…

Advocate for women struggling with substance abuse

Published in the Melrose Weekly News on May 1, 2026

MELROSE — Jane Rosenberg Sowyrda, always proud of her roots in Melrose, Massachusetts, passed from this world on April 19, 2026. Jane was 81 years of age.

Born on October 3, 1944 at Melrose Wakefield Hospital, Jane was…