Melanie Davidian

Melanie Davidian, 49, of Burlington, Vermont died courageously on Friday, January 30 from pancreatic cancer. She leaves her father, David B. Davidian of West Yarmouth MA, a brother, David B. Davidian, Jr. and his wife, Ina Antonian of Belmont MA, two sisters, Christyne Davidian of Petaluma CA, and Susan Kinnear and her husband Mike Kinnear of Watertown MA, nephews and nieces, Shant Davidian, Matthew and Gregory Hubert, Michaela and David Kinnear, and Ani and David Davidian. She leaves an aunt, Ozen Fantazian of Arlington MA, two uncles, godfather Jacob Merzigian of Worcester MA, and Ara Shrestinian and his wife Virginia Shrestinian of Andover MA, and many cousins and friends. Melanie also leaves her partner, Elaine Soto of Burlington VT, as well as a large close knit community of friends, colleagues, sports teammates, and fellow musicians in Vermont.

Melanie was born in Worcester MA, daughter of David B. and Mary (Dolbashian) Davidian. She was a choir member of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Trinity Church in Worcester and a member and Olympic athlete with the Worcester Aram Chapter of the Armenian Youth Federation.

Melanie attended South High School in Worcester and graduated in 1977 serving as senior class president. She received her B.A. in Sociology from Boston University in 1981 and Master of Social Work from Simmons College in 1991. Her career as a clinical social worker encompassed work with high risk children and youth in Vermont at Northeastern Family Institute, Easter Seals, the Visiting Nurse Association which then culminated as a substance abuse clinician for adults at the HowardCenter.

An accomplished vocalist, chorister, guitarist, and percussionist, Melanie was a member of the Burlington Choral Society in Vermont and a Brazilian drummer for Batucada Belles of Boston MA and Sambatucada! of Burlington VT.

For nine years, Melanie served as the Burlington VT Parks and Recreation Commissioner and sports broadcaster for the Woman's Basketball League. She played basketball and softball in local leagues and was a guest commentator for the live TV sports show called "The Best Damn Sports Show in Franklin County" for 3 years. She was a member of the National Institute of Sports, Counseling Division and was fondly known all over Burlington VT as "Mighty Mel."

Calling hours will be Friday, February 6 from 5PM-8PM at Callahan and Fay Brothers Funeral Home, 61 Myrtle St, Worcester, MA and funeral services will be held on Saturday, February 7 at 11AM at the Armenian Apostolic Holy Trinity Church, 635 Grove St., Worcester, MA 01605.

There will also be a memorial in celebration of Melanie's life this spring in Burlington VT. Announcements will be released in the local Burlington VT papers.

In lieu of flowers, it is kindly requested contributions be made to the Armenian Apostolic Holy Trinity Church, Armenian Tree Project www.armeniatree.org, and Sambatucada! www.sambatucada.org.