Myrtle Madeline Melton, 1937 - 2023

Myrtle Melton (nee Pauciello) passed away on Monday, April 10, 2023 at the age of 85. Born on December 9, 1937 in Orange, NJ to Rocco and Evelyn Pauciello, she was the second born child of the couple.

As a single mother for many years Myrtle dedicated her life to her four children and strived to give them the best life she could. She worked maintenance at the AT&T Headquarters in Basking Ridge for over 18 years before she retired at the age of 62. As a woman always on the go, she realized that she was not suited for retirement and starting working at Eagle Rock Lanes in West Orange. For many years, you could find her behind the food counter with a smile on her face and a warm greeting. After the bowling alley, she spent the last 13 years at Kohl’s in Morris Plains, where she was the first face you saw as cashier #1. During that time, she volunteered at all Kohl’s-sponsored events, as she always enjoyed giving back to the community.

A resident of Verona Seniors at Hillwood Ter. in Verona, NJ, she made many friends and left an impression on each and every one of them throughout her eight-year residency.  Myrtle was always the life of the party, dancing her way into everyone’s heart. She enjoyed the simple things in life, always out and about, whether she was at local tricky-trays, bingo halls, watching her great-grandchildren, shopping, going on senior trips, or heading to the beach to walk on the boardwalk.

She was a loving wife, mother, sister, aunt, grandmother and friend who is survived by her children Robert Melton Sr. (Victoria Bosco), Susan Bette (James), Dawn White (Todd) and bonus daughter Julie Swenson (Brad), her brother Rocco Pauciello, 12 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, and 5 great-great grandchildren. She is predeceased by her husband Patrick Hopkins, her daughter Robin Melton, her parents Evelyn and Rocco, sisters Rosemarie and Evelyn and her brother Edward.

A celebration of life will be held at Dangler Funeral Home in West Orange, NJ on Friday, April 14, 2023 from 4:00 – 8:00 PM, with a funeral service at 7:30 PM. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for funeral/burial donations.