Constance Lynn "Connie" Melendy, 73, of Fogelsville, PA, formerly of Davis, CA, and Eureka, CA, passed away on Friday, November 17, 2023 at home surrounded by her family. She was the wife of Allen Felton for 47 years. Born in Eureka, CA, she was a daughter of the late Mark Lee Alvin Melendy Sr. and Sylvia Bernita (Sanders) Melendy.

Connie was an extraordinary woman. She had her son Mark when she was 18, and when her first marriage ended, she found work picking fruit in the orchards of California's Central Valley to support herself and her son. She took junior college classes as she could afford them, meeting future husband Allen on a class-assigned archeological dig in Sacramento, CA. They were married, and with five-year-old Mark they began their life together. Connie got a job stocking film in the design department at the University of California at Davis (UCD) but soon pursued opportunities for advancement. While working full time, Connie had a second child, Abbie, and put herself through the university, earning a Bachelor's Degree with high honors, majoring in Women's Studies.

In her long and celebrated career, Connie worked her way up at UCD to the position of Assistant Dean of the College of Agriculture before becoming Assistant Vice Provost of Academic Affairs. At the university, she was a champion of women, people of color, the LGBTQ+ community, and the rights of all students. She played a major role in ensuring that Affirmative Action was in-place across the UC system and enforcing the Faculty Code of Conduct. She represented the university in several major cases of faculty misbehavior. She backed the "Me, Too" movement before it had a name.

In her private life, Connie was also a two-time World Champion Western Pleasure rider of Morgan horses, titles she won at the age of 59. Riding Morgan horses was a dream of hers since she read Justin Morgan Had A Horse as a little girl. Although her parents couldn't afford a horse for her as a child, she was determined and became a skilled equestrienne as an adult.

Connie and Allen had great adventures during their 47 years together. They enjoyed their trips to horse shows all over the U.S., making many friends along the way. They loved spending time together fishing, camping, traveling, and voting in every election since 1973. They were devoted to raising their children and grandchildren to be people of kindness, courage and conviction.

Connie succumbed to Multiple System Atrophy Type C, a degenerative brain disease she fought for 13 years. The disease robbed her of her mobility but never broke her fierce spirit. To the end, she remained an outspoken advocate for fairness, opportunity, equality, and justice for all people.

Connie is survived by her husband Allen McClure Felton, daughter Abbie Adair Trexler and son-in-law Shawn Martin Trexler of Kempton, grandson Jarrett Shawn Trexler of Sarasota, FL, grandchildren Olivia Moon Trexler and William Allen Trexler, both of Kempton, granddaughter Leah Lee Felton of Davis, CA, and sister Suzanne Gail Melendy of Silsbee, TX. She was predeceased by her parents, son Mark Ross Felton and her brother Mark Lee Melendy, Jr.

A celebration of her life will be announced by the family at a later date. Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.KellerFuneralHomes.com.

Memorial contributions may be made by check to the Multiple System Atrophy Coalition in care of Keller Funeral Home, PO Box 52, Fogelsville, 18051 or online at www.multiplesystematrophy.org/donate/