Melanie H. France

On February 20, 2012, Melanie H. France (nee Gill), age 60, of Bel Air, MD passed away after a lengthy battle with cancer at the Gilchrist Hospice in Towson, MD.

Born on February 21, 1951 in Pottsville, PA, she was the beloved daughter of the late Frank J. Gill and Helen Gill Williams and step-daughter of the late Fletcher Williams. After many years of working in the retail industry, she worked at Aberdeen Proving Ground as a Supervisory Security Specialist with the Personnel Security Investigation Center of Excellence. She was a member of St. Ignatius Church. She loved spending her time with family and treasured her dogs Lexie and Belle.

Melanie graduated from Aberdeen High School in 1969 and then completed her studies at Patricia Stevens Finishing School in Baltimore.

In addition to her father and step-father, she was predeceased in death by her brother Frank R. Gill. Melanie is survived by her partner of 17 years, Buck Watson of Bel Air, MD; mother Helen Gill Williams of Bel Air, MD; sister and brother-in-law Mary and Gary Leavens of Bel Air; nephew Tyler Leavens and niece Ashley Leavens of Bel Air; and nephews Rob and Ryan Gill of Westminster.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in her name may be sent to The Humane Society of Harford County, 2208 Connolly Road, Fallston, MD 21047 or Saint Ignatius Church, 533 East Jarrettsville Road, Forest Hill, MD 21050.