Catherine Leigh Melamed

Catherine L. Melamed, of Arlington, Massachusetts, passed away on Saturday, January 18th, at the age of 66, after a long battle with cancer. Cathi was born in Cincinnati, Ohio to Caroline Mavrelis and Henry Cook in 1959. She was raised in Clearwater, Florida and attended Clearwater High School. She loved to spend time by the beach and swim in her youth. Cathi earned a bachelor's degree in music, graduating magna cum laude from the University of South Florida in 1982. She went on to earn a master's degree in music from USF in 1990. For years, she taught music and gave vocal lessons to children. After college, she met her former husband, Les Melamed, and settled in Wellington, Florida where she lived for many years and raised her two children. She would later earn a degree in accounting from Florida Atlantic University and become licensed as a Certified Public Accountant. She volunteered her time to help keep books for Wellington High School's wrestling club, which her son competed in. Throughout her career in accounting, music remained her passion, and she would continue teaching. Cathi was a devout Catholic. She attended and sang in the choir of Saint Rita Catholic Church in Wellington. Her connection to the church persisted through her move to Massachusetts and increasing struggles with her health. She remained a regular attendee of virtual Bible study and prayer groups. Cathi loved caring for her two dogs, Sniffers and Beverly, and would often take them on long walks around the neighborhoods she lived in. On these walks she met neighbors who would become her close friends. Her friendly face illuminated every neighborhood she lived in. Cathi is survived by her children, Eric and Lisa Melamed. She was preceded in death by her parents. A visitation will be held at Palms West Funeral Home (110 Business Park Way, Royal Palm Beach, Florida) at 5 PM on Thursday, February 6th. A requiem mass will be held at Saint Rita Catholic Church (13645 Paddock Dr, Wellington, Florida) at 11 AM on Friday, February 7th, followed by interment at Our Lady Queen of Peace Cemetery (10941 Southern Blvd, Royal Palm Beach, Florida). In lieu of flowers, donations to the ASPCA (www.aspca.org) are encouraged.