Estelle Ballance Melanson

AUGUSTA – Estelle Ballance Melanson, 84, was born on Sept. 26, 1937, at her family’s home in Hatteras, N.C., to Thurman B Ballance and Aulise B Bragg.Estelle grew up in California and North Carolina. She graduated from high school in Orosi, Calif. This is where she met her future husband, Dick Melanson, while he was serving in the Navy. They married and moved to New Hampshire and then to Maine. They had four children. Dick and Estelle ran Melanson’s Market for 25 plus years and served the neighborhood and met a lot of great people. Estelle had been a member of St. Augustine Catholic Church for decades.Estelle loved to travel “back home” to Hatteras, NC, where she loved watching family car races and picnics on the beach!After retirement, Estelle and Dick traveled in their RV. They went to Alaska twice and around the country and Canada.Her husband of 59 years passed away October, 2015. She is also predeceased by two brothers: Howard Wayne Ballance and Kenny Ballance. Estelle, also known as memere, is survived by her children: Rochelle Bridgham and husband Ken, Richard Melanson, Jr., Renee Whitmore and husband Lesile and Randi Taylor and husband Scott. Her grandchildren are: Scott Bridgham, Thomas Bridgham, Brooke Morin, Nick Whitmore and Trisha Nickl; eight great grandchildren as well as her sister, Lovie Carter and husband David who live in Ohio. Even though they were many miles apart, they still visited each other quite often. She also leaves behind very special friends Don and Nan Richard, a special friend Ruth Babcock and two amazing sisters in law: Priscilla Duplessis and Diane Bennett.A huge thank you goes to her sister Lovie Carter who was by her side every day, every moment through this end of life journey. Words can’t express how thankful the family is to the loving care that Aunt Lovie gave to our mother.There will be no public visiting hours. A graveside service will be held in the spring in Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Mt. Vernon Rd., Augusta.Condolences, stories and photos may be shared at http://www.plummerfh.com.