Mary R. DeMelim: World Traveler, Artist

Mary R. DeMelim assed away on Sept. 21 fighting cancer.

The devoted wife of John DeMelim, Professor Emeritus of Art at Rhode Island College. Loving mother of John DeMelim and his wife Pam and their two children John and Emma; David DeMelim and his wife Jeanne and their children Jillian, Samatha and Alison, according to her obituary at Anderson Winfield Funeral Home.

She was the youngest girl in a family of 7 with 4 sisters, and two brothers.

DeMelim was an accomplished artist in her own right, being active in the Art Jewelry movement in the early 60's, working with renowned jeweler Joseph Showenfelt.

She was Executive Director of the Institute of Management Sciences, an international non-profit organization comprised of academics and business executives dedicated to the sharing and publication of research and information related to the science of Business Managment and Opperational systems. 

She was responsible for overseeing the daily operation of the business office, managing the publication and distribution of several scientific journals providing a platform for academics to have their research published. She also planned and ran the organization's national and international meetings. This part of her job gave Mary and John the opportunity to spend much of the subsequent 40 plus years traveling the world.

Their travels have taken them to many of the world’s top tourist attractions, but their real interest was in the places less traveled, from a canoe trip up the Sepik River in New Guinea to a camel trip to a desert oasis along the old Silk Road.

Her funeral will be held Friday at 8:30 a.m. from the Anderson-Winfield Funeral Home, Route 44 at Greenville Common, Greenville. Mass of Chrisitan Burial at 9:30am in St. Philip Church, 622 Putnam Avenue, Greenville. Burial in the RI Veteran’s Cemetery, Exeter. Visitation Thursday 4-7 p.m.

In lieu of flowers donations in her memory may be made to the Shinn Foundation. Checks should be made payable to RIC Foundation, 600 Mount Pleasant., Providence, RI 02908. They will earmark all donations made in Mary DeMelim's memory to the Shinn Foundation for study abroad. http://www.ric.edu/studyabroad/shinn.php