Eugenia W. Melville

EUGENIA WINIFRED MELVILLE, affectionally known as "Gina," was born in Bronx Hospital, Bronx, New York, on September 23, 1943, the second of two children of the late Winifred Sigmon. She departed this life after an extended illness on May 4, 2025. She was predeceased in death by her sister, Joyce Sigmon. Gina received her early and secondary education in the Bronx, New York Public Schools System graduating in 1962, where they instilled in her a love of poetry. She regularly recited her favorite poem, Invictus when she was so moved. In February of 1963, Gina married her high school sweetheart and the love of her life, Joseph Henry Melville. This was a loving union of 49 years before Gina was widowed in 2012. Two children were born to this union, Margo Melville Perry of Maryland and Joseph Charles Melville of New York, affectionally known as "Joey". Gina began her professional career with the Government of the United States, first with the United States Postal Service, and thereafter, with the United States Internal Revenue Service, serving the later agency for over 35 years, where Gina received many awards and accommodations for her service. She enjoyed working in the service of others. Moreover, she was held in high regard by her coworkers, becoming dear friends to many of them. Gina often spoke of how she missed those friendships and would lovingly speak of the good times they shared. She was a warm, kind, gentle and gregarious person who loved people, treasured friendships and kept a positive outlook. She lived with grace, elegance and determination. While Gina remained positive, she also maintained a practical outlook on life. She often quoted Maya Angelou saying, "hope for the best and be prepared for the worst". She was recognized and appreciated by all who knew her for her thoroughness and attention to detail. Gina and Joe were intelligent, hardworking people and built beautiful lives for their family in Central Islip, NY. Upon their retirement, Gina and Joe exchanged the snow of New York for the sun of Florida, establishing a new home in Royal Palm Beach, Florida in 2005. Gina loved retirement life and enjoyed all it had to offer, including travel, gardening, entertaining, singing, playing card games, playing the penny slots, and watching a variety of television shows, especially MSNBC. She was a person of strong principles and an advocate for social justice. She leaves to mourn her loss and cherish her memory: her daughter Margo Melville Perry (Chalfrantz) of Bowie, MD; her son, Joseph C. Melville of New York; her granddaughter, Chandler Lauren Perry of Bowie, Maryland; her brother-in-law Lawrence Melville of North Carolina; her sister-in-law, Lisa Melville of New York; her nieces, Dante Melville and Michelle Melville; her nephews: Antoine Melville, Steven Melville, and Terrance Jackson; and her close devoted extended family members: Bernard and Patricia Knowles and Lequidra Lewis; and a host of other relatives, caring neighbors and special friends.