Elizabeth J. Mello

Elizabeth J. "Betty" Mello, 86, of Middletown, passed away Monday June 29, 2026, at home surrounded by her loving family. She was the beloved wife of the late John R. "Bobby" Mello for 54 years.

Born on July 23, 1939, she was the daughter of George S. and Catherine (Holland) Lopes and spent her youth in Portsmouth. She graduated from St. Catherine's Academy in Newport in 1957 where she served as class president and was a 1960 graduate of the Newport Hospital School of Nursing. She received a bachelor's degree from the University of Rhode Island in 1997 and was also a certified Developmental Disabilities Nurse.

Betty began her nursing career in the operating room at Newport Hospital and spent over 30 years providing exceptional care for adults with developmental disabilities in their homes through Looking Upwards, Inc.

She volunteered for several organizations including Girl Scouts of America, Linden School PTA, Newport Hospital School of Nursing Alumni Association and Lucy's Hearth.

Betty enjoyed gardening, entertaining, reading, baking, sewing, knitting, traveling, walking, swimming, and the Red Sox. One of her favorite activities was hosting Friday afternoon Grammy Camp for her grandchildren when they were younger.

She is survived by her children, John R. Mello Jr, and his wife, Karen Harrington, E. Jean Mello, Christopher P. Mello, Patricia E. Mello and her husband, Gordon Rego, and Jennifer A. Barrera. She was the proud "Grammy" of Stefanie Mello Rego, Sydney Mello, Ian Barrera, Julia Mello, and John R. Mello III. Betty leaves her sister-in-law, Frances Mello, of Portsmouth, and was the sister of the late Ann Fernandes, Catherine Butterworth, Edward Lopes and Barbara Sullivan. Betty also leaves many nieces, nephews, great- nieces and nephews.

Calling hours will be held on Tuesday, July 14 from 4-7 p.m. at the Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, Newport. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, July 15 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 12 William Street, Newport. Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Looking Upwards at 1184 East Main Road, Portsmouth, RI 02871, and The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research P.O. Box 5014, Hagerstown, MD 21741.

The funeral mass will be Livestreamed, and people can access it on the funeral home website:

Memorialfuneralhome.com