Longtime Denver resident Mary Frances Mellon passed away on August 3, 2026 at the age of 76 following a courageous battle with cancer and its impacts. She remained happy and beautiful to the end, refusing to allow her illness to dampen her wonderful personality or abandon her infectious smile.

Mary was the oldest of six children born and raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan - Theresa Girvin, John Kandra Jr., Margeret Karasinski, Joseph Kandra, and Carolyn Grady. She attended Central Michigan University in Mount Pleasant, Michigan(CMU) and received a degree in Secondary Education. She met her husband, Joseph Mellon while at CMU and, after graduating, they married in 1972.

Mary and Joe lived in Detroit, Michigan while Joe was in Law School. Mary taught French and science in the City of Detroit District Schools and also studied to become a court reporter. In 1974 Joe and Mary moved to Cheboygan, Michigan, Joe working as an attorney in a law firm and Mary working as a court reporter. Daughter Julie was born in 1978.

The small town and harsh winters of Northern Michigan prompted a move to Colorado in 1983. Mary, always with a focus to enlighten herself and follow her need for a professional life, found a way to best contribute to the family and satisfy her never ending penchant for education by attending The University of Denver Law School. At that time it was located just down the street from where she lived and near Julie’s grade school, allowing her to always be as close as possible to participate in every way to pursue her education and care for and guide her daughter, who is now an accomplished professional violinist and teacher. Mary’s every move was always predicated on its impact on Julie.

Mary graduated from DU Law with honors and became a Lawyer in 1988. Joe and Mary opened their own firm (The Mellon Law Firm) and had a thriving law practice for many years, successfully trying multiple cases before juries throughout Colorado. Her ability to connect with clients and jurors and understanding of complicated legal theories in a trial court was without challenge. Mary was the consummate advocate and always prepared and professional to the end.

She was not only well educated and successful, she was well traveled, several trips to Europe, sailing the Caribbean Islands and throughout the Americas. She was a teacher, lawyer, sailor, pilot, professional photographer, writer and learned to play the cello later in life. She was a fan of mystery books and, of course, the show Murder She Wrote! Her favorite movie was Somewhere in Time, the story of returning to your love after death. On one of her yearly visits to Mackinac Island, Michigan she met Christoper Reeve during the filming of the movie, which resulted in multiple photos prominently displayed in her office.

She lived a life of quiet faith, generosity, and deep love for her family. She leaves behind a legacy of kindness and generosity that will continue in the lives of those she touched and loved through her life. She was a believer in true love and bestowed that belief to her husband and daughter.

Mary is survived by her husband of 54 years, Joseph Mellon, daughter Julie Mellon McCarthy (Brian), and step-grandchildren Kai McCarthy and Quinn McCarthy.

Services forthcoming…