Mary Ann Melchiorre, 79, lawyer

Mary Ann Mellon Melchiorre, 79, of Ardmore, a mother, lawyer, and brokerage firm officer, died Thursday, July 16, of complications from dementia at Saunders House in Wynnewood.

Born in Philadelphia, she was the daughter of Lawrence J. and Kathryn Pizzagno Mellon.

Ms. Melchiorre grew up in Colwyn and graduated from West Catholic High School. She went to work for the former Bell Telephone Co. of Pennsylvania, where she met Joseph Melchiorre.

The two married and moved to Ardmore to raise a family. But Ms. Melchiorre's ambition drove her to attend Temple University part time while her children were in elementary school. Within six years, she earned a bachelor of science degree in business administration.

She joined Janney Montgomery Scott, a stock brokerage firm in Philadelphia, and created its human resources department. While working, Ms. Melchiorre enrolled in Temple Law School's evening law school, and earned a law degree.

Eventually, she became the firm's vice president of compliance with government regulations, and in-house counsel.

Carla J. Zambelli, a former Janney coworker, said Ms. Melchiorre mentored her. "She was an amazing woman, and a force of nature," Zambelli wrote of Ms. Melchiorre in an online post.

Ms. Melchiorre was active in human resources professional organizations, serving as president of the Society of Human Resources Management.

In retirement, she became an industry representative and judge for the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, a nongovernmental organization that monitors the securities industry.

Ms. Melchiorre loved family, music, world travel, theater, and politics. A devout Catholic, she sang for many years in the church choir and participated in church activities.

She was a lifelong Democrat, serving for a time as a local committeewoman.

"She was a tireless and stalwart community advocate, particularly in issues of women's rights," her family said in a tribute. She made a point to give women who showed ambition a chance to succeed in the workplace.

Besides her husband of 53 years, she is survived by daughters Theresa M. Krettek, Regina M. Brown, and Katharine Starsinic; three grandsons; two brothers; and nieces and nephews. A brother died earlier.

Funeral services were Saturday, July 25.

Donations may be made to Saunders House, c/o Recreation Fund, 100 E. Lancaster Ave., Wynnewood, Pa. 19096; or Alzheimer's Association, 399 Market St., Suite 102, Philadelphia 19106.

610-313-8102