Constance Lynn “Connie” Melendy, 73, of Fogelsville, formerly of Davis and Eureka, Calif., died on Nov. 17, 2023, surrounded by her family at home.

She and her husband, Allen Felton, were married 47 years.

Born in Eureka, she was a daughter of the late Mark Lee Alvin Melendy Sr. and Sylvia Bernita (Sanders) Melendy.

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 McClure Felton, on a class-assigned archaeological dig in Sacramento, Calif.

They were married, and with 5-year-old Mark, they began their life together.

She got a job stocking film in the design department at the University of California at Davis but soon pursued opportunities for advancement.

While working full time, she 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, she 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 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, she 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.

She and her husband 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.

She 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.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by a daughter Abbie Adair Trexler and son-in-law, Shawn Martin Trexler, of Kempton; grandson Jarrett Shawn Trexler of Sarasota, Fla.; grandchildren Olivia Moon Trexler and William Allen Trexler, both of Kempton; granddaughter Leah Lee Felton of Davis, Calif.; and sister Suzanne Gail Melendy of Silsbee, Texas.

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.

Condolences may be offered to the family at kellerfuneralhomes.com.

Memorial contributions may be made by check to the Multiple System Atrophy Coalition, c/o Keller Funeral Home, P.O. Box 52, Fogelsville, PA 18051 or at multiplesystematrophy.org/donate.