Melinda Ann (Curless) McCurrach

Melinda Ann Curless McCurrach, age 80, passed peacefully in her home on August 10, 2021 after a long battle with breast cancer.  She leaves behind her loving husband William McCurrach of Wolcott, CT, her daughter Marcia Fox Sellner of Danbury, CT, grandchildren Jordan and Zachary Sellner, sister and brother in law, Susan and George Hildebrand of Uncasville, CT and nephews Erik Hildebrand of Griswold, CT and Adam Hildebrand of East Lyme, CT and their families, cousin Gloria Pontious of Waterford, CT and her children, and Sister in Law April Sali and partner Arman Rivard of Rehoboth, MA.  Melinda was predeceased by her son, Jeffrey Allen Fox.

Melinda was born in New London on September 30, 1940 to George and Barbara Marshall Curless.  She graduated from New London High School in 1958.  She was like a second mother to her younger sister Susan. One of her first jobs was at Electric Boat in Groton, CT.  Melinda was a staunch Democrat and encouraged these political views in her children.  She was a member of the Young Democrats in the 1960’s.  Melinda was a great fan of the theatre arts and started a theatre group in 1967 while living in Brunswick, Maine.  She moved with her family to Boca Raton, Florida for 18 months in the late 1960’s.  Melinda graduated from the University of Connecticut with a degree in Psychology, while raising two children.  She instilled independence in both of her children.

Melinda had a green thumb and loved to garden.  She had an enormous organic garden while living in Sandy Hook, CT and her family enjoyed countless fresh vegetables with their meals.  She has plants growing in her home today that were started 40 years ago.  Melinda loved playing board games with her younger sister growing up and her own children and grandchildren and was a fierce competitor who didn't let them win.  She was an active member of the Newtown Food co-op in the 1970’s and ‘80s that sold organic food.  She also joined a milk co-op in the 1970’s that took turns picking up organic milk from a local farm and delivering to the various co-op members.

Melinda took architectural classes and designed a beautiful passive solar home for her family in Roxbury, CT and was the general contractor for the project.  She was a bookkeeper later in life until retirement.  She met her husband, William McCurrach, in 1993 and he has lovingly taken care of her, throughout her many years of breast cancer treatments. Melinda and William were married in 2000 and moved to Wolcott, CT.  Melinda and Bill were together for 28 years and each lived up to their wedding vows of learning and growing together.

Melinda’s glass was always half full and she never complained about being sick and had a drive to survive and live.  One of her great qualities was seeing the best in people.  She will be dearly missed by family and friends.

Graveside Services will be held at 11am on August 20, 2021 at the New North Cemetery, Woodbury, CT.  In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the American Cancer Society in her name.

Munson Lovetere Funeral Home assisted with the arrangements. To leave an online condolence please visit www.munsonloveterefuneralhome.com

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