Brewer - Melanie M. Brochu, 82, wife of John P. Brochu, passed away peacefully at her home November 10, 2023, after a 28 year battle with Parkinson's Disease with her loving family by her side. She was born January 10, 1941, in Brewer, the daughter of Carl V. and Viola E. (Hartt) Browning.
Melanie grew up and lived in South Brewer, her entire life. She graduated from Brewer High School in 1959 and Husson University in 1989. After graduating from Husson, she began teaching in the Bangor Adult Ed Aspire Program. In 1960, she married the love of her life, John "Jackie" Brochu. After marrying, they purchased her family home in South Brewer, where they raised their six children and continued to live until her passing.
Surviving in addition to her husband of 63 years are six children, Joseph Brochu and his wife, Ellen, of Orrington, Timothy Brochu and his wife, Cindy, of Brewer, William Brochu and his wife, Susan, of Oakland, Christopher Brochu and his wife, Lynn, of Brewer, Aimee (Brochu) Cyr and Craig Wooster of Holden, and Samantha (Brochu) and husband, Mark Morneault, of Madawaska; nine grandchildren, Patrick, Ryan, Zachary and wife, Allie, Benjamin, Grace, Jessica and husband, Chris, Briana, Gabby Hogan and husband, Kyle, and Alec Morneault; four great-grandchildren, Teegan, Owen, Evelyn and Eli; two brothers, Walter and Linda Browning of Prospect, and John and Roberta Browning of Hermon; in-laws, Frances Faucher, Joyce and Gary Poulin, all of Massachusetts, Patsy and Richard Ruth of California, Gail Trask of Florida, and James Brochu of Brewer; and many nieces, nephews and close friends.
Melanie's family would like to express their gratitude to St. Joseph Hospice, and a special thanks to Kris, Chris, Christine and Brenda for the care and kindness you gave to Melanie. Fulfilling her final wishes to be at home would not have been possible without all of you. Thank you.
Family and friends may visit Friday, November 17, 2023, from 4-7 p.m. at Kiley & Foley Funeral Home, 69 State St., Brewer. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated 10 a.m. Saturday, November 18, 2023, at St. Paul the Apostle Parish, St. Teresa's Catholic Church, 425 South Main St., Brewer. Burial will be at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, Bangor, and reception will immediately follow at the St. Teresa Parish Hall directly across the street from the Church. For those who wish, memorial contributions may be made to Brewer Parks & Recreation, Melanie Brochu Scholarship Fund, Attn: Aimee Cyr, 318 Wilson Street, Brewer, ME 04412.
An expanded obituary can be found at kileyandfoley.com, where messages and memories of Melanie may be shared with her family on the tribute wall.