Source - Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune - 25 June 2008

Retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Mary Ellen "Mel" Daly, died Friday, June 20, 2008, at her home in Cibolo, Texas.

Mary Ellen Daly was born July 21, 1917, in the town of Grand Rapids. In her mid-20s Pearl Harbor was attacked. In 1942, Mel joined the U.S. Air Force. It became the centerpiece of her working life.

After World War II she stayed in the active reserves, worked for the Secretariat in the United Nations, and found time to attend the Women's Peace Conference in Ireland.

Mel was called up for the Korean conflict and remained in the Air Force until her retirement in 1968. During 20 years of active service, she served in four wars. She attained the rank of lieutenant colonel, the highest woman's rank permitted during her service time.

Her love of work, her cheerful determination and her ability to succeed surfaced early in her life. She was an avid member of the Girl Scouts. In 1934 she attained Scouting's highest award for girls, the Golden Eaglet. In May of 2007, she returned to Wisconsin to attend the 95th Celebration of Girl Scouts, USA. There she told the audience what she had often told others: "Girl Scouts taught me not to be afraid to try anything. I learned to be independent, to do what I could do and to be honest." Mel's confidence in "doing," combined with a love of fun, an infectious laugh and a marvelous ability to tell stories touched the lives of the many people she knew around the world.

Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Friday, June 27, 2008, at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio.