South Ryegate, VT Melanie Beth Welch, 52, of Welch Drive, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, July 16, 2012 at the Cottage Hospital in Woodsville, NH. She was born in Glens Falls, NY, July 7, 1960, the daughter of Donald and Patricia (Hildreth) Snody. Melanie graduated from Whitehall High School in Whitehall, NY, class of 1978. She worked for many years at Shaws Supermarket in Woodsville, NH as a Customer Service Manager and bookkeeper. Melanie loved gardening, reading, and being in the water. She especially spending time around the farm and her animals, and being out enjoying nature. Melanie enjoyed time spent with family and friends. She was predeceased by her parents, Donald and Patricia (Hildreth) Snody; and two brothers, Kevin Snody and Russell Snody. Survivors include her two children, Michele Christopher of Myrtle Beach, SC and Matthew Christopher of Lubbock, TX; her companion, William Bill Welch of South Ryegate, VT; his children, Amanda Welch and her fianc Eric Fennimore of Newbury, VT, Dawn Welch and her companion Jerod Florentine of East Ryegate, VT, and Jason Welch and fianc Loren Prucha of South Ryegate, VT; their children, Clayton, Richard, and Kristofer Fennimore and Shannon, Tori, and Temperance Florentine; a sister, Carol Thomas and husband Jeffrey of Stony Creek, NY; her niece and nephews, Andrea, Nathan, Ian, and Russell, Jr.; several aunts, uncles, and cousins; and by her three cats. There will be no calling hours. A memorial service will be on Friday, July 20, at 6 PM at the Ricker Funeral Home, 1 Birch Street, Woodsville, NH. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Central Vermont Humane Society, 1589 Vermont Route 14S, East Montpelier, VT 05651.