NORTH ADAMS, Mass. —  Denise M. Melito, 84

Denise’s Diner, Bakeshop (for humans and for all her dog friends), Art Emporium, Distinguished Toddler & Doll Clothing Shop, and Advice Corner closed with her death at home on 10/31.

Denise was born in North Adams on 10/07/1942 to Alma (Rougeau) and Ernest Perrault. She was the widow of Joseph Melito, whom she married 6/23/1962. Denise leaves two children. Her daughter Tracy, who was her primary caregiver throughout her illness, her granddaughter Jadyn, her son Joseph of North Carolina, and nieces, nephews and cousins, including Simone Richards (Mahlon) who was more like a sister than a cousin. She was predeceased by her parents, her brother, Bernard “Bucky” Perrault, and her sister, Jeannine Harkin.

When her father offered the choice between an ice cream cone or a book, she always chose the book but her father always bought her the ice cream cone too. The number of books filled her house so much that she had an entire wall of shelves built to hold them all.

She was a generous woman of many talents - musician and lover of music, Zen Tangle and watercolor artist, cook of marvelous meals, baker of extraordinary breads, muffins, and dog treats, and she was a wonderful friend and neighbor. Denise was a self taught seamstress and outfitted her granddaughter with the finest of toddler and pre-teen outfits complete with lovely machine embroidery. She knitted fabulous sweaters, socks and baby outfits.

She bowled in the Women’s Commercial bowling league on Wednesday nights with her friends for many years until she began migrating to The Villages for the winter.

Denise worked in several medical offices as a medical assistant and office manager. She made cloth exam gowns and always had sugar free candy on the counter for the patients.

The family would like to thank Dr. Joesph Simonson (Pulmonology Services), the North Adams Police Department, the Northern Berkshire County Ambulance Service, and the Flynn & Dagnoli Funeral Home for their care, kindness and compassion. We would also like to extend our heartfelt thanks and appreciation to Susan Solak and Debra Delisle for their care, compassion and friendship with helping Denise to stay well and at home during the last stages of her illness.

Per Denise’s request, there will be no services.

Denise loved animals and with the help from her Goddaughter, Sharyn Richards Marks, adopted a senior cat , Sweetie, in the last years of her life because what could be better than two “old” ladies sharing their final days? If you would like to make a contribution in Denise’s name, please donate to No Paws Left Behind animal shelter in North Adams through the funeral home. Perhaps you would also consider visiting the shelter, or any shelter of your choosing, and maybe adopting a senior pet to provide a loving home during their final days in Denise’s memory.

To add to the book of memories please visit www.flynndagnolifuneralhomes.com