Barbara Melhado

Barbara Burch Melhado (formerly Barbara Burch Trask), 79, died peacefully on December 21, 2016 after a 7 month battle with kidney cancer. She was with her son Bob and her daughter Abby and had many beloved visitors that day. Barbara was raised in New York City, and attended NYC public schools. She went on to Middlebury College, where she graduated with a BA in American History. After five hectic years working in the advertising industry, Barbara moved to Vermont. She spent 24 years of her life in Londonderry, where she raised a family, and started an antique shop in the barn of their home. Once her children were raised, Barbara closed her shop and took a year of intensive study at Sotheby's in London. She earned a subsequent degree there which she used to augment a successful career as an antique appraiser. Barbara then moved to Dorset, where she spent the rest of her life. She never retired.Barbara married the love of her life, William Melhado, in 1992. Together, they lived a life full of happiness. Her new family was a source of never-ending joy to her to the very end. Barbara and Bill loved to play golf at the Dorset Field Club in the summer. Their two dogs, Tosca then Lily, were an integral part of their lives. In the winter, they went to South Carolina, where they enjoyed the peace of the seashore. Both Barbara and Bill were devoted to their blended family, hosting holidays and get-togethers at their house throughout the year. They were a primary source of support to all the family in good and bad times. Barbara was a pioneer in raising awareness about SIDS and provided comfort to many families who had lost children to SIDS. Barbara shared her skills with many other communities and groups, including the Vermont Historical Society, Vermont Antique Dealers Association, Southern Vermont Arts Center, as well as many others too numerous to name. People were always drawn to her kindness, ever-present smile and generous hospitality. In her lifetime, she was an avid skier, snowshoer, and was a wonderful gardener. Her culinary skills were exceptional, and she loved to feed the birds.Barbara is predeceased by her brother Robert, daughter Elizabeth, son James and her husband of 23 years, William Melhado. She is survived by her brother Richard Burch and his wife Susan, her children and their partners: Robert Trask and Laura Brown, Abigail and Keith Abbott, Helen Hart and John Griffith, Ted and Loretta Melhado and Suzanne and Philip Bolduc, her grandchildren Adelaide and Ethan Abbott, Edmund and Alexa Hart, Anderson Hart and fiance Leah Gustafson, Katie and Chris Foote, Caroline Melhado, William Melhado, and Matthew Bolduc, and her great grandchild Alistair. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 7, at 11am at the United Church of Dorset and East Rupert. Donations sent in her memory may be sent to American SIDS Institute c/o Brewster-Shea Funeral Services P.O. Box 885 Manchester Center, VT 05255. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 7, at 11am at the United Church of Dorset and East Rupert.