Betty Jane (Winkler) Melody, age 82, of Newtown, died Saturday, May 8, at Danbury Hospital, peacefully, after a long illness. She was the wife of Thomas J. Melody, Jr, for almost 60 years and spent all their years together in their home in Newtown.

She was born in Danbury, August 18, 1938, daughter of the late Rudolph and Ruth (Turner) Winkler.

She was an avid homemaker and a lover of animals, especially her miniature poodles and the sea birds of West Dennis Beach.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by her two sons: Thomas J. Melody III and his wife, Therese, of Long Beach, N.Y., and Mark W. Melody and his wife, Linda, of Savannah, Ga.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at St Mary’s Church in Bethel. Burial took place at St Mary’s Cemetery, Bethel.