Blanca I. Melendez, (nee Pagan), 89, of Hammonton, NJ passed away peacefully, at her home on Friday, December 15, 2023. Born in Guayanilla, Puerto Rico she lived in Hammonton for 66 years. She worked at Hammonton Park Clothing and in quality control at Integrity Medical both in Hammonton. Mrs. Melendez was a devout Catholic, serving her church as a Eucharist minister, a Cursillista, and in the Daughters of Mary, Legion of Mary. She was also a past member of the Puerto Rican Civic Association Women's Auxiliary. She was predeceased by her husband Fernando "Freddie" Melendez and by her daughter, Lydia Melendez. Mrs. Melendez is survived by her four children, Fernando Melendez, Jr., Julia M. Rian, John O. Melendez and Lisa Melendez; her three grandchildren, Louis Melendez, Ariel Melendez, and Alyssa Melendez, her sister Elvira, her brother John and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated, Wednesday, December 20, 2023, 11:00 am at St. Mary of Mt. Carmel Parish, Church of St. Joseph's 226 French St., Hammonton. Burial will follow in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Hammonton. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Samaritan Hospice, either online at https://www.samaritannj.org/giving/.donate-now/. or by mailing to Samaritan Gift Processing Center, PO Box 71425 Philadelphia, PA 19176-1425.