In Memory of Lucille Knott DeMelle
of Natick, MA

My mother found out as an adult that she had been adopted from within her own family (i.e., her 'father' adopted her from one of his sisters under circumstances no one truly knows.). She grew up in a loving family as an only child, but part of a very large extended family which included eleven aunts and uncles and myriad cousins. In fact, she was particularly close to one aunt who, as it turned out, was actually her biological mother. While my mother always felt great love and devotion from her own parents (who had adopted her), she never understood when she did find out that she had been adopted just why she had never been told. That was never resolved during the lives of those from that generation who could have explained it to her.

What is important about my mother is her great love for children and her hospitality to all. Her home and her heart were open to anyone...especially children. When we were trying to find a suitable organization to which we could direct gifts given in her memory, a family member mentioned your efforts with Wednesday's Child and it clicked with my sister and me that it was the right place. My mother never focused particularly on the fact she was adopted, but it is clear that it remained a mystery to her for her lifetime. What she did focus on throughout her life, however, was making certain that all people felt welcome in her home and in her heart.

With that in mind, we are pleased to acknowledge her life with contributions in her memory to Wednesday's Child.

Walter DeMelle

To make a donation to Wednesday's Child in memory of a loved one please go to our secure online donation page.

Published in the Boston Globe on 1/9/2008

Lucille E. (Knott) DeMelle

Of Natick on Jan. 7, 2008 died peacefully surrounded by her loving family. Beloved wife for 64 years of the late Walter E. DeMelle, Sr. Loving mother of Walter E. DeMelle, Jr. and his wife Susan Sullivan DeMelle of Lakeville, CT and Susan E. Kerrissey and her husband Edward F. Kerrissey of Natick. Sister of Shirley Knott Hines of Worcester. Mother-in-law of Pamela DeMelle of Sudbury. Also survived by 9 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Mother of the late Arthur W. DeMelle and sister of the late Gertrude Werme. At the request of her family there will be no visitations. Funeral Service on Thursday, Jan. 10, 2008 at 2:00 pm at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, Washington St, (Rte. 16) Wellesley. Interment in the family lot in Glenwood Cemetery will be private at the convenience of her family. Due to the special love and fondness Lucille shared for children, her family requests no flowers and that memorial gifts in her name be sent to Wednesday's Child, c/o Jack and Marcie Williams. PO Box 136, Weston, MA 02493 or at www.jackwilliams wednesdayschild.com would be greatly appreciated. Arrangements under the direction of the John C. Bryant Funeral Home of Cochituate Village, WAYLAND.

In Memory of Josephine Leverone

4 Blueberry Hill
Kingston, MA 02364

November 22, 2006

Jack and Marci Williams
P.O. Box 136
Weston, MA 02493

Dear Jack and Marci,

First, we commend you on the wonderful job that you do with Wednesday's Child. Someday we'd like to help out in a more personal way.

Please accept this small donation in memory of Josephine Leverone who passed away on April 30, 2006. She was the mother of seven children that were her life and we thought she would want the money that was distributed to her children (after all the nursing home expenses, etc) to go towards helping other children.

Keep up the good work!

Sincerely,

Tracy and Bill Leverone

In Memory of Ruthie Antonides, a dear friend to Wednesday's Child who died recently after battling cancer. A memorial service was held Saturday, April 30th, at 11am, on the mountain at Waterville Valley, NH. and was attended by 400 people.
Jack's remarks at the memorial service

Tom Corcoran's tribute

In Memory of Norma Donahue, wife of Judge Leslie Donahue of the Essex County Juvenile Court. Donation sent by Honorable Martha P. Grace and Nason Hurowitz.

In Memory of James Liston