Memorials › Mary Ellen “Mel” Gembala Burchess
Mary Ellen “Mel” Gembala Burchess
14 Mar 1948 – 22 Mar 2025
| Birth | 14 Mar 1948 |
| Death | 22 Mar 2025 |
| Added by | Judy Johnson on 24 Mar 2025 |
| FaG | https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/281040332 |
Bio
Mel Burchess, of Grand Island died from a cerebral hemorrhage at CHI Emergency Room March 22, 2025. Mary Ellen Gembala was born to her mother Rita and father Ray in Honolulu, Hawaii on March 14, 1948. Her father Ray was a pilot in the Navy. After her father left the Navy they moved to Loup City, Nebraska where she started school. The family moved to Grand Island where she attended Blessed Sacrament School. The nickname Mel later came from siblings who replaced Mary Ellen with the conjugation "Mel". Another promotion for her dad moved her family to Kearney where she graduated from Kearney Catholic in 1966. She attended Kearney State for one year and that was enough. Her adventurous spirit connected her to Craig Burchess for the next fifty-seven years. They lived in Hastings then Kearney while Craig was a machinist at Rockwell at night and a student at UNK during the day. They had two daughters, Jamie Lynne, Shelia Kae while living in Kearney and a son Adam seven years later in Grand Island after Craig had taken a teaching job there. Jamie died of birth defects at the age of seven after years of exemplary full-time care from Mel. In her lifetime Mel altered clothing for stores, delivered the Independent with her kids and worked at Platte River Quilting across the street and later downtown. She also labored constantly with her husband improving their neglected house. She taught Quilting Classes and was celebrated as one of the best. She later worked at Hobby Lobby in framing eventually becoming department manager. She was collegial, hardworking, creative with excellent taste in all her employment. Her family skills were beyond compare. The best cooking period, The best home decorator with limited resources ever, cleanest house, best flowers, support for all family members with an optimistic outlook and impeccable fashion sense. Eleven dogs & three cats, five rescued from the streets knew she was Mom. Reciprocal love and affection. Mel is loved and survived by her husband, Craig, daughter Shelia, son Adam, granddaughter Jordan, grandson, Jack, brother, Ray, sister Kathy and sister Cindy. "A well lived Life & a Loving Wonderful person who is missed." At Mel's request there is no service, or solicitation for flowers or money!
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