Melanie Diane Taylor
July 21, 1958 – August 17, 2023
Lifelong Maryland horsewoman and animal advocate Melanie Taylor, passed away peacefully at Hospice of Pasadena, MD after a long courageous battle with cancer. She was the daughter of the late Claire T. Frye. Melanie is survived by her companion Billy Marshall of Chesapeake Beach and her sister Claire Lancaster and her late husband Russ Lancaster of South Carolina, her beloved brother Tom Frye of Edgewater, MD, nephew Thomas Sparacino (Megan Moore) and their children Layla, Natalie and Thomas, nephew Paul Sparacino of South Carolina and her beloved horse Hickory.
Melanie attended Mt. Calvary and La Reine Catholic School in Suitland, MD. She spent her professional career as an administrative assistant on Capital Hill and later as a secretary for the Machinist Union. Melanie loved her horses and throughout the years she rescued all the homeless animals she could catch. Melanie was extremely generous, always asking “How can I help you?” She was also known for her unique gifts at Christmas and birthdays, that would leave everyone amazed.
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation in Melanie’s honor to the Humane Society, ASPCA, or your local animal shelter.
Visitation
Saturday, September 23, 2023
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Services
- Memorial Service
Saturday, September 23, 2023
11:00 AM
Interment
- Private
Contributions
The Humane Society of Calvert County
PO Box 3505
Prince Frederick, MD 20678
Condolences
Sort Comments
1 Sep 2023
3:42pm
Dear, sweet Melanie. I miss her so much already. May she have peace and comfort now.
Loved her as if she were my own sister.
City
Edgewater
State
MD
1 Sep 2023
9:42pm
Wow, I miss you, Mel. From our lunch hours at work to our retirement lunch outings when you weren’t feeling well. I know you’re smiling down on me and it’s comforting to know that you are not in pain anymore. See you again one day, my friend! xoxoxo Julie T.
City
Upper Marlboro
State
MD
4 Sep 2023
1:35pm
Melanie was one of the first friends I met after moving to Maryland in 1979. We shared a love of horses and, more recently, birdwatching. She was such a dear friend to me when I knew no one and she could make me laugh like no one else. Our lunches in Chesapeake Beach always included a visit to the barn until she couldn’t make the trip any longer. I will miss her smile and quirky sense of humor but grateful that she is no longer in pain. Rest in peace my dear friend.
City
Hooven
State
Ohio
5 Sep 2023
4:00pm
Very sorry to hear this news. My condolences to Melanie’s family.
City
Mechanicsvlle
State
Maryland
5 Sep 2023
6:10pm
Thoughts and Prayers to the family, Melanie was a very special person to many.
She will be missed by many, I truly enjoyed our horse talks.
City
Lothian
State
Maryland
9 Sep 2023
7:01am
A talented horsewoman, a superstar from ponies, Sir Hiccup and Paper Tiger to grand horses Fast Eddie and her beloved Hickory. Sharing her knowledge and passion with many children , leading a 4-H group in Croom, Maryland. As her Mom Claire did with leading the Marlboro Pony Club in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. Her love of animals knew no boundries. May God wrap you in his loving arms. You will truly be missed by many..Love you Sis
City
Colonial Beach
State
Virginia
13 Sep 2023
10:14am
Oh my, so very sorry to hear this sad news that Melanie has passed. Melanie and I went to Mt. Calvary and were pretty good friends in 7th and 8th grade. I will always remember she ate an apple every day at recess as we sat on the wall between the school and the convent. I always thought she was pretty luck to have her own horse to ride whenever she wanted. Rest in Peace, Melanie. We had lots of laughs and fun at good old Mt. Calvary.
City
Prince Frederick
State
MD
20 Sep 2023
6:28pm
From the day we met at Norbourne horse show, you with Sir Hiccup and me with Joy, our matching gray ponies, it was friendship for life. No matter how long a time in-between seeing each other our soul sister friendship remained strong. I feel blessed to have been able to help you during your journey to heaven, I love you to the moon and back, you are a part of my soul.
City
Keymar
State
MD
22 Sep 2023
11:59am
Melanie, it seems like a short time that I’ve known you, but you were one of the sweetest most genuine people I’ve met. I truly miss you. I met you through a Sister in love of mine and we all three became Sisters when we were together. I prayed you would be healed. I enjoyed our lunches and our talks we shared. I really treasured our time we had together. I even treasured the texts we shared. May you rest with our Heavenly Father and I pray your family and friends find peace. Thank God for letting me share time and space with one of His own.
City
Upper Marlboro
State
MD
22 Sep 2023
3:27pm
Melanie was a sweet soul and a very strong person. She put up a fierce fight against her sickness for many years. We sends positive thoughts to her wonderful family members.
City
Warrenton
State
VA
22 Sep 2023
3:55pm
I live across from Melanie, and enjoyed hanging out and chatting with her. She was a good friend and neighbor, helping me get to appointments when I couldn’t drive. She was also very thoughtful, always remembering me at Christmas and surprising me with a gift.
She definitely loved all her dogs, cats, and Hickory, and always helped an animal in need.
It breaks my heart she lost her fight with cancer. I was so hoping for a better outcome. She is very much missed.
City
Chesapeake Beach
State
MD
23 Sep 2023
9:23am
I am so sorry to hear of Melanie’s passing. I have known Melanie my entire life; grew up next door. I fondly recall her love of animals and helping her take care of the horses and barn cats. In her honor we adopted a kitten.
City
Laurel
State
MD
23 Sep 2023
10:46am
Mel… having you be a part of my life made it so much better. Such good memories made with you and Mare! Love You Always… don’t forget to ring my bells💜💜
City
Victory
State
Vermont
23 Sep 2023
10:47am
Mel… having you be a part of my life made it so much better. Such good memories made with you and Mare! Love You Always… don’t forget to ring my bells💜💜
City
Victory
State
Vermont
Sort Comments
Dear, sweet Melanie. I miss her so much already. May she have peace and comfort now.
Loved her as if she were my own sister.
Wow, I miss you, Mel. From our lunch hours at work to our retirement lunch outings when you weren’t feeling well. I know you’re smiling down on me and it’s comforting to know that you are not in pain anymore. See you again one day, my friend! xoxoxo Julie T.
Melanie was one of the first friends I met after moving to Maryland in 1979. We shared a love of horses and, more recently, birdwatching. She was such a dear friend to me when I knew no one and she could make me laugh like no one else. Our lunches in Chesapeake Beach always included a visit to the barn until she couldn’t make the trip any longer. I will miss her smile and quirky sense of humor but grateful that she is no longer in pain. Rest in peace my dear friend.
Very sorry to hear this news. My condolences to Melanie’s family.
Thoughts and Prayers to the family, Melanie was a very special person to many.
She will be missed by many, I truly enjoyed our horse talks.
A talented horsewoman, a superstar from ponies, Sir Hiccup and Paper Tiger to grand horses Fast Eddie and her beloved Hickory. Sharing her knowledge and passion with many children , leading a 4-H group in Croom, Maryland. As her Mom Claire did with leading the Marlboro Pony Club in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. Her love of animals knew no boundries. May God wrap you in his loving arms. You will truly be missed by many..Love you Sis
Oh my, so very sorry to hear this sad news that Melanie has passed. Melanie and I went to Mt. Calvary and were pretty good friends in 7th and 8th grade. I will always remember she ate an apple every day at recess as we sat on the wall between the school and the convent. I always thought she was pretty luck to have her own horse to ride whenever she wanted. Rest in Peace, Melanie. We had lots of laughs and fun at good old Mt. Calvary.
From the day we met at Norbourne horse show, you with Sir Hiccup and me with Joy, our matching gray ponies, it was friendship for life. No matter how long a time in-between seeing each other our soul sister friendship remained strong. I feel blessed to have been able to help you during your journey to heaven, I love you to the moon and back, you are a part of my soul.
Melanie, it seems like a short time that I’ve known you, but you were one of the sweetest most genuine people I’ve met. I truly miss you. I met you through a Sister in love of mine and we all three became Sisters when we were together. I prayed you would be healed. I enjoyed our lunches and our talks we shared. I really treasured our time we had together. I even treasured the texts we shared. May you rest with our Heavenly Father and I pray your family and friends find peace. Thank God for letting me share time and space with one of His own.
Melanie was a sweet soul and a very strong person. She put up a fierce fight against her sickness for many years. We sends positive thoughts to her wonderful family members.
I live across from Melanie, and enjoyed hanging out and chatting with her. She was a good friend and neighbor, helping me get to appointments when I couldn’t drive. She was also very thoughtful, always remembering me at Christmas and surprising me with a gift.
She definitely loved all her dogs, cats, and Hickory, and always helped an animal in need.
It breaks my heart she lost her fight with cancer. I was so hoping for a better outcome. She is very much missed.
I am so sorry to hear of Melanie’s passing. I have known Melanie my entire life; grew up next door. I fondly recall her love of animals and helping her take care of the horses and barn cats. In her honor we adopted a kitten.
Mel… having you be a part of my life made it so much better. Such good memories made with you and Mare! Love You Always… don’t forget to ring my bells💜💜
Mel… having you be a part of my life made it so much better. Such good memories made with you and Mare! Love You Always… don’t forget to ring my bells💜💜