Margaret Melloy Guziak, 85, Fruita, died March 22, 2017, at her home.

She was an author.

Survivors include her husband, Ray; one daughter, Gail Woodmansee of Grand Junction; two sons, Patrick of San Diego and Stephen of Grand Junction; two brothers, Joseph Melloy and Michael Melloy, both of Wilmington, Delaware; three grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Memorial contributions to HopeWest, 3090B N. 12th St., Grand Junction 81506.

The final chapter of her book has been written. We lost loving wife, mother, and grandmother March 22, 2017, a fighting Irishwoman to the end.

Margaret “Marge” Theresa Melloy was born to John Patrick Melloy and Mary Elizabeth Waldron in Philadelphia June 17, 1931, and spent her childhood in Wilmington, DE. She attended St. Elizabeth’s High School, earning awards for excellent grades and for her writing ability.

She met the love of her life, Raymond “Ray” Guziak, while he was stationed at the New Castle Delaware Air Force Base. They married August 22, 1953, and their 63+ year adventure began.

The first of three, Patrick Michael, was born while in Wilmington. After Ray was honorably discharged, they moved to his home state of Michigan to enroll and reside at Michigan State University.

While attending MSU, Gail Marie was born. The cold Michigan winters and the promise of sunny days in California calling their names, they headed west landing in the San Diego area. Stephen Thomas was born—a child born in the East, Midwest, and West—she/they had it all covered.

In San Diego she worked as a Secretary for the School District and San Diego Library. As San Diego grew, they decided they preferred small town living, and in 1972 headed to Prescott, AZ, where she started her career and retired from (in GJ) the Social Security Administration. Looking for the perfect home base, they left Prescott, tried Reno, then Santa Fe, before settling in Grand Junction in 1981, and then Fruita in 2015.

The East Coast Irish girl meets the Midwestern Slovaks was the subject of many stories. She was introduced to Polka music, which she loved, and they traveled to many Polka festivals writing about the dances for “Polka News” and other publications.

Their mutual love of the West/Southwest was the inspiration for their many road trips. Their escapades to witness beautiful scenery, history, cultures, and special events provided colorful material for her numerous articles written throughout the years.

Marge is survived by her loving husband, Ray; sons, Patrick (Robin) and Stephen (Jo); and daughter, Gail (Tim) Woodmansee. She leaves loving grandsons, Casey and Jaime Woodmansee, and Mickey Guziak; great-grandchildren, Deegan, Brody, Parks, Ryan, and Liam; brothers, Joseph and Michael (Trisha) Melloy; brother/sisters-in-law, Tom/Jean Devereaux and Tom/Patsy Guziak, and Charles Frendt; along with many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Marge’s parents, and a brother, Fr. John Patrick Melloy, OSFS, preceded her in death.
A “Celebration of Life” will be planned at a later date—an Irish wake with beer and polkas.
Memorial contributions can be made to HopeWest Hospice or Fruita’s Sacred Heart Catholic Church.

“The Irish—Be they kings, or poets, or farmers. They’re a people of great worth. They keep company with the angels, and bring a bit of heaven here to earth.” Irish saying