Valerie Troy Mellett

A resident of Harwich, Massachusetts, Val was a devoted wife, loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, cherished friend, and woman of unwavering faith.

Val was born April 9, 1945, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to Louise and Thomas Troy, the youngest of six children. She spent her formative years in Manhasset, Long Island, and graduated from Marymount University in the Washington, D.C., area, where she met James "Jim" Mellett Jr., the love of her life and husband of 53 years, who predeceased her in 2021.

Val's greatest joy was her family. She was the proud mother of four children—Tricia, Kerry, Jimmy, and Buffy—and, alongside Jim, created a home where everyone was welcome. Her door, and her heart, were always open. Over the years, she fostered several children and embraced many others as family through her generosity, warmth, and unconditional love.

After beginning their family life in Dover, Massachusetts, Val and Jim spent many years raising their children in Old Tappan, New Jersey.

Val worked for many years as a medical transcriptionist and office administrator. She was also an avid tennis player, gardener, quilter, girls' softball coach, Cub Scout leader, PTA member, bowling league champion, collector of angels, talented seamstress, and devoted fan of the New York Jets. She lovingly made costumes and holiday outfits for her children and grandchildren, creating memories they will treasure forever.

A gifted cook, Val expressed her love through hospitality. In retirement, she and Jim owned and operated a successful bed-and-breakfast in Chatham, where she delighted guests with homemade breakfasts each morning. Whether serving visitors or feeding a house full of family and friends, she believed food was one of life's greatest expressions of love.

Above all, Val was a woman of deep Catholic faith. She attended Mass faithfully and was an active member of her church communities, first at St. Pius in Old Tappan, New Jersey, and later at Holy Trinity in Harwich, Massachusetts, where she volunteered at the parish thrift shop until her passing. She lived her faith through kindness, generosity, and service to others.

Val is survived by her four children and their spouses; five grandchildren, Kiah, River, Cole, Bryce, and Ani; her grandnieces, Eliza and Quinn; and two great-grandchildren, Ronnie and Wyatt, all of whom lovingly knew her as "Nan." She will be deeply missed and forever remembered.

A prayer service will be held on Friday, July 17, from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. at Doane, Beale & Ames Funeral Home in West Harwich, followed by a Funeral Mass at 11:00 a.m. at Holy Trinity in Harwich. A celebration of Val's life will follow at The Old Bank Street Firehouse in Harwich.

Guests are kindly asked to refrain from wearing perfume or cologne due to a family member's severe allergies.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that those wishing to honor Val's memory make a donation to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or perform an act of kindness for someone in need, just as she did throughout her life.