Melanie Lynne Orr, 61 of Newark, passed away Monday, June 2nd in Newark. She was born October 12th 1963 in Wauseon, OH to the late Orville and Audrey (Sparks) Orr.

Melanie grew up between Newark and Granville, and was the oldest  of two daughters. She graduated Granville High School a successful multi-sport athlete, excelling at both basketball and volleyball. Before starting her undergraduate program at Indiana University, Melanie spent the summer in southern France where she worked in a small Inn. It would be here where Melanie discovered her passion for the culinary arts.

Her next 3 years would be spent at IU before venturing to Strasbourg France to not only complete her senior year, but ultimately her degree. After finishing her studies, Melanie moved to Chicago, where she worked for McMillan Publishing Company. After working in Chicago for several years, Melanie moved back to Central Ohio to once again join her family in running Granville's Buxton Inn. Melanie successfully ran the 'back of the house' alongside her sister Amy, who oversaw the front. Together with their parents, the sisters helped make the Buxton one of the premier hospitality establishments of its time here in Ohio.

After leading a successful career at the Buxton, Melanie parted ways to join her lifelong friend, partner, and eventual Wife, Carrie Brown, in Wasilla Alaska. Here, she not only took advantage of the great outdoors, but would work as the Human Resources Director for Alaska Native Heritage Center. After 10 years, the couple moved back to the lower 48, and settled in Manistee, Michigan.

Within the past year, the couple grew apart, and Melanie would return back to Newark to be closer to her family.

In her free time, Melanie always kept busy. Whether it was doing Tai Chi with her friend Jean Scholl, spending time in the outdoors fishing, picking up different instruments to play, or keeping her culinary skills sharp, she was always on the go. Apart from her hobbies and global travels, spending time with her nephews Simon and Oliver always remained important.

She is survived by her sister, Amy (Mike) Bentley; nephews, Simon and Oliver Krajewski; aunt, Shirley Sparks; and cousins, Lori (Bill) Thompson, Lisa Sparks, Ronald (Kim) Orr and Sherri Orr.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her uncles, Dudley Sparks and Harry (Shirley Joanne) Orr, Jr.; and cousin, Danny Sparks.

No public services will be held at this time.

To sign an online guestbook, please visit www.brucker-kishlerfuneralhome.com.