Mary Louise (Mel) Kirchhoff passed over the rainbow bridge on November 12 in the company of her devoted cat, Ann Page. She was the recipient of the Boston Post Cane as Provincetown’s oldest registered voter.
Mary Louise (Mel) Kirchhoff was born in Manhattan on July 3, 1912. When she was twelve, her family moved to New Rochelle, NY where she met her future husband, Charles B. Kirchhoff, who predeceased her in 1963. She graduated from Barnard College and after graduation; she entered the Medical Technician program at New Rochelle Hospital. During WWII, she was an airplane spotter and Charlie a volunteer fireman. Always active in their community, they were honored as “Volunteers of the Year” by a national magazine.
In 1986, Mel moved to Provincetown to be closer to her daughter, Caro. She was a volunteer spotter on whatle-watch boats and also worked in the office at the Center for Coastal Studies. She was active in Dottie Sanderson’s strength training classes at the Council on Aging. She always attributed her longevity to Dottie’s classes. A knowledgeable birder, she especially enjoyed walking in Beech Forest and always looked forward to the May arrival of Baltimore orioles to her deck.
Mel loved all animals and welcomed into her home many dogs and cats in need. She is survived by her daughter, Carol MacDonald and daughter in law Marsha Sirota, of Provincetown, her son, Captain (USN ret.) Charles W. Kirchhoff and his wife, Joyce of Seneca, SC, three grandsons and four great grandchildren.
At her request, there will be no services. Her ashes will be buried in the Kirchhoff family plot in Beechwood Cemetery, New Rochelle, New York.
If wished, memorial donations may be made to CASAS, (the Carrie A. Seamen Animal Shelter), Box1374 Provincetown, MA 02657 or the Provincetown Council on Aging, 2 Mayflower St. Provincetown, MA 02756 or in her memory, give some extra love to your cat or dog today.