MARIA M. COLSON
DOVER-FOXCROFT and EL PASO, Texas - Maria M. (Mellon) Colson, 53, died Nov. 24, 2006, after suffering an aneurysm. She was born Sept. 30, 1953, in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, the daughter of Maria Medina. Her name changed to Maria M. Mellon after her adoption by her stepfather, Amos Mellon of Knoxville, Tenn. A naturalized citizen, she grew up in El Paso, Texas, graduating from Bel Air High School in 1972. After meeting and marring Everett L. Colson in 1976, they moved to Maine, living primarily in Dover-Foxcroft. Maria was a longtime employee of Guilford of Maine up to the day she was taken ill. She touched the lives of many friends and acquaintances who will think of her with a smile on their faces. Maria was the neighborhood mom for all the children's friends. She was equally giving and forgiving. If there is a heaven, as she believed, Maria was their angel on Earth. She loved babies, looking at the stars at night, watching wildlife whenever possible, and generally helping and pleasing others. With a heart as big as all outdoors, Maria is still giving to others even in death through organ donation.

In addition to her husband, Everett, Maria is survived by her loving mother-in-law, Johanna; her adoring children, Michelle Mellon and partner, Mike Fillmore, of Dover-Foxcroft, John Mellon and wife, Stephanie, of Lawson, Colo., James Colson of Dover-Foxcroft and U.S. Army Spc. Joshua Colson, currently deployed to Afghanistan; and loving grandchildren, Brittany Tyler Dyer, Brandon Michael Dyer, Abigale Rose Mellon, Kyren Luke Mellon and Matthew Patrick Fillmore, She will be sadly missed by all who knew her. At her request, she was to be cremated.

A celebration of her life gathering will be announced in the near future. Gifts in her memory may be made to Mayo Regional Hospital or Eastern Maine Medical Center. The family of Maria expresses their sincere appreciation to both these excellent medical facilities along with the Mayo Regional Ambulance and Lifeflight of Maine, for their expert care, understanding and kindness. We also thank her fellow employees who did everything possible in a crisis. Because of this combination of special people, we were able to communicate with her one last time before her passing. A gift we can never repay. A service of Memorial Alternatives, 205 Center St., Bangor.