Melany Hamel

Melany Ann Dubuisson Hamel, 74, went home to God on Tuesday, February 21, 2017, after a long illness.
Born in November 1942 to Leo and Henrietta Dubuisson, Melany was raised in Long Beach where she attended St. Thomas Elementary School. Upon graduation from St. John's High School in Gulfport, she prepared to enter the Novitiate of the Daughters of Charity. God had other plans and sent Melany back to the Coast where she met and married the love of her life, Pat. A loving wife, mother of five, grandmother of seven, Melany lived to meet and hold her first great-grandchild.
She was a lifelong member of St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church and, when her health allowed, was an active member of the Carnival Association of Long Beach. Melany loved family - and everyone was family to her. Family history was her passion; she was an expert genealogist and the author of The Dubuisson Dictionary, which traces 30,000 members of several local families. For many years, she was a member of the Long Beach Historical Society. Melany was also a licensed radio amateur with callsign: N5UCD.
Survivors include her loving husband, Patrick Hamel; her children, Anita (Tim) Buckel of Phoenix, Leo (Lisa) Hamel of Richland, Catherine (Bobby) Gordon of Covington, Michael Hamel of Long Beach, and Julia Burton of Okeechobee, FL; her two brothers, Melvin Dubuisson of Long Beach and James (Herlinda) Dubuisson of Laredo, TX; her grandchildren, Andrew Buckel, Stephen Buckel, Daniel Hamel, Wendy (Joshua) Smith, Amanda Gordon, Jessica Burton, Tyler Burton; and her first great-grandchild, Joshua Smith. She was preceded in death by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Leo Dubuisson.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 AM on Saturday, February 25 at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 720 E. Beach Blvd., Long Beach. Visitation will be from 9-11 AM in the church. Interment will be in Long Beach Cemetery.
The family wishes to thank the doctors and private-duty ladies who have cared for Melany through the years: Doris Williams, Angie Henson, Ethel Magee, Judy Puchue and Kathy Diliberto. Our deepest appreciation goes to Nellie McCaskill, Melany's long-time companion, for all her love and care. We are also grateful for the nurses and aides of Camellia Home Health, Camellia Hospice, St. Josephs (inpatient) Hospice, and Chapman Oaks.
In Lieu of flowers, please make mass offerings in her name at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church.
The RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 19130 Commission Rd., LB, is serving the family and an online guestbook may be signed at www.riemannfamily.com