Melanie Hayhow of West Wareham died March 27, at Massachusetts General Hospital with her family at her side. She was 57 and had suffered traumatic brain damage after an accidental fall in her home.

Melanie was born in New Bedford, the daughter of Adolph “Duffy” and Lylia (Carreiro) Mello. She was raised in Fairhaven and graduated from Fairhaven High School and Cape Cod Community College. She then earned an honors degree in English literature from Amherst College.

Soon after graduating from college she went to work at The Standard-Times, where, with skill, grace, and a strict adherence to detail, she edited stories on the copy desk. She retired about two years ago after 31 years at the paper.

She enjoyed cooking, reading, and traveling. In 1992, she and her husband spent a month touring the central Pacific, including Micronesia and Hawaii.

Melanie is survived by her husband, Peter; her sister, Penelope Mello of Wareham; her stepdaughter, Amy Hayhow of Abington; her step-grandson, David Ahearn of Abington; and several aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews.

Services were held. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in her memory to the Brain Injury Association of America, 1608 Spring Hill Road, Suite 110, Vienna, VA 22182