Melanie Leen

Melanie Marie Leen
July 20, 1971-May 8, 2023
Bangor, Maine:
Melanie Marie Leen, or Mel as many knew her, beloved daughter, sister, mother, gam-gam, dog mom, and animal lover passed away just before the sun began to set on May 8, 2023. She was surrounded by loved ones at a Bangor hospital.
Melanie was born in Waterville, but grew up with her older sister Michelle in Bangor where they were raised by their mother, Wanda, who showed her daughters that women are capable of anything. In 1981 Wanda married Victor Fish, the stepfather who quickly earned the title of “Dad” as his kindness, patience and support were qualities that would become ingrained in her own character.
Melanie was a resilient, self-reliant woman. As a single mother of four daughters, she could usually be found tackling her own home and car repairs in between parent-teacher conferences, cooking dinner, picking up kids from events and excursions, or playing with one (or all) of her four dogs. She was a compassionate, caring woman who scooped many of her children’s friends into her family and treated them as her own. Suffice it to say, there were rarely any leftovers in her busy kitchen.
Through all the clashing schedules, household chores and a full-time job, Melanie even managed to make education a priority, earning her Bachelor of Science in Health Administration from The University of Phoenix in June of 2017.
When Melanie's children began having children of their own she became a very proud “Gam-Gam” and thoroughly enjoyed her time with each of them. She especially loved seeing them all play together and was thrilled when they would come running to greet her. Her grandchildren adored her, and not just because they always knew she would have stuffed her pockets full of little surprises and treats just for them.
Melanie kept life light through her sarcastic sense of humor which made it easy for people of all ages to connect with her. With a life full of her own responsibilities, Melanie was always concerned about the well-being of other people and animals ahead of herself and rarely accepted assistance from others, preferring to give more than receive. All conversations with Melanie included her asking how you and your family were doing followed with news and stories about her pets, or animals she’d seen or interacted with recently. Melanie's genuine, loving nature and infectious fits of laughter-to-tears will forever mark the hearts of all who loved her.
Melanie was predeceased by her Dad, Victor Fish of Bangor, sister Barbara Shaw of Hermon, and nieces, Monica Feist of Burlington, Massachusetts and Ashley Brown of Bangor. Melanie is survived by her partner of 16 years, Matt Sirois of Kenduskeag; daughters, Kristi (Tracy) Carney and husband, Alec, of Glenburn, Caitlyn (Tracy) Pearl and husband, Cory, of Hampden, Candice Tracy and partner Tom Lawson of Orrington, Kendra King and her many cats, of Orland; three granddaughters and four grandsons; her mother, Wanda (Reynolds) Piper and partner Albert Flewelling of New Brunswick, Canada; her sister, Michelle (Reynolds) Feist and husband Fred of Burlington, Massachusetts; stepsister Diane Burr of Old Town; stepbrothers David Fish and wife Joanne of Hermon, Dana Fish of Glenburn, many nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives.
Relatives and friends are welcome to attend a memorial service at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, May 18, 2023, at Brookings-Smith, 133 Center St., Bangor, with the Rev. Randy Washington, officiating. The service will be livestreamed at https://my.gather.app/remember/melanie-leen.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to any local humane society or animal shelter.