Ronald and Rita

Melendy

AUBURN — Ronald K. and Rita Brochu Melendy enjoyed a celebration of their 50th wedding anniversary on Aug. 29 at Our Lady of Ransom Church hall in Mechanic Falls. The affair was arranged by their two sons and daughter-in-law, Dr. Thomas E. Melendy of Buffalo, N.Y., and Arthur and Lorraine Melendy of Mechanic Falls. The couple resides on Talon Drive in Auburn.

The couple was married on Aug. 29, 1959, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Wilton. Mrs. Melendy grew up in Jay and enjoyed her first job at the Depositors Trust Company in Wilton. Mr. Melendy grew up in Wilton. He has enjoyed a 50-year career as a clinical social worker and continues to work in his profession. Mrs. Melendy worked as a certified medical assistant in physicians’ offices and owned and operated, with her husband, a wine and cheese and gourmet food shop in Rockland. She also served six terms as a state representative in the state Legislature, representing the city of Rockland and was instrumental in starting the first support group for ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) in Maine.

Approximately 100 guests attended the party with attendees from Louisville, Ky., Signal Mountain, Tenn., Buffalo and Williamsville, N.Y., Merrimack, N.H., and Glendale, Okla. Among their guests were Colette DeSotto, maid of honor, David Melendy, best man, Judith Pelchat, bridesmaid, and Gerard Brochu, usher. Their daughter-in-law, Lorraine Melendy, circulated the guest book and presented them with an anniversary cake.

The Rev. Frank Murray was present to bless their marriage. Both sons, Tom and Arthur, toasted their parents with glowing and detailed accounts of an essentially happy and fun-filled childhood. Several friends and relatives roasted the couple and a dear friend, Anita Hedstrom of Farmington, formerly of Rockland, wrote an “Ode to Rita and Ron” to the tune of “This Land is Your Land” and filled the song with all aspects of their lives. Many singers in the group joined with her in singing to the couple.