Obituaries

Melina E. Roda, 97

May 17, 2022

Melina E. Roda, 97 of Lancaster, passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, May 17, 2022. Born in Lancaster, she was the daughter of the late Frank and Mary Segro. She was the loving wife of the late Frank S. Roda, who passed on March 13,1991.

Melina graduated from Lancaster Catholic High School in 1942 and Millersville State Teachers College (now Millersville University) in 1945. She taught in the Columbia School District at the Poplar Street School from 1946 to 1956 and at the International School of Rome, Italy in 1956 and 1957. She met and married her husband in Italy. With her husband, she once owned The Italian Villa Restaurant at Mulberry and James Streets as well as The Italian Villa East restaurant on Route 30 in Lancaster.

Melina was a member of St. John Neumann Catholic Church and participated in the Bible study group. She was also a member of the Italian Cultural Society.

Melina is survived by her beloved daughter, Francesca Ranalli (wife of David); her most beloved grandchildren, Melanie Schmidt (wife of Ryan), Aimee Hopkins (wife of David), and Frank Ranalli (husband of Molly); great-granddaughter Gia Melina with two more great-grandchildren on the way; as well as many nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly. She was lovingly known as “Grandma” to all who knew her.

In addition to her husband and parents, she is preceded in death by her sister, Anne Guerra; her brother, Peter J. Segro; and her brother Joseph, who was a casualty of World War II while serving as a Seaman 1st Class in the US Navy.

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at Historic St. Mary’s Catholic Church at 119 S Prince St, Lancaster, PA 17601 on Tuesday the 24th of May with service at 10am and visitation beginning one hour prior. Committal will follow at Conestoga Memorial Park. Friends will be received at the church one hour prior to service. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to The Children’s Miracle Network at www.pennstate.childrensmiraclenetworkhospitals.org or to St. John Neumann Catholic Church at www.sjnlancaster.org or 601 East Delp Road Lancaster, PA 17601.

Watch the tribute video

Leave a condolence on this Memorial Page


Be sure to include your name

Please note that your condolence will not appear on this page until it is reviewed. Condolences usually appear within 24 hours of being submitted.

Condolences to the Family

November 08, 2023

I’m sorry to have heard of Mrs. Roda’s passing so late.  We have cherished memories of our wedding at Italian Villa East in 1983 which was a total success due to Mrs. Roda’s meticulous touch, guidance and support.  She made sure every detail was taken care of and treated us like family.  In the last several years, I would see her at Mass at St. John Neuman every so often and she still remembered me after all these years.  She would always respond to my ocasional notes with a sweet telephone call.  
She is surely in heaven with her dear Frank.  Sending prayers of thanksgiving for a wonderful lady who touched many lives with her kindness and special ways.
Alcira Lafferty

June 24, 2022

Very sorry for your loss, from the Maniaci/Sgro family  Milwaukee Wisconsin

June 15, 2022

Our family has the fondest memories of Mrs. Roda who was present throughout my childhood in Lancaster and our lives. Mrs. Roda was a generous, kind and loving mother to her daughter and her friends.  She was a powerful statement to what it means to be humble and modest.  I will remember Mrs. Roda and her kindness as well as her annual Christmas party and songs throughout my life.  She will truly be missed and cherished in our fond memories of her.  May her memory be eternal.  –With deepest sympathy to her family. Georgia Sambunaris

May 29, 2022

I worked for Melina and Frank at the Italian Villa East for five summers during my high school and college summers at PSU.  Melina was such a truly sweet and honest lady and she was always good to me.  She was loyal to her employees of which I believe she had two housekeepers at The Villa (as we called it) who worked for her over 30 years (Brenda and her mother). I saw Melina in CVS about 10+ years ago and she remembered me and spoke to me before I noticed her in the store. That was about 2010 and I hadn’t seen her since Labor Day weekend of 1986. She had a great memory and helped teach me to be a kinder person. My brother, Tim and I along with numerous other Manheim Township students worked for Melina and Frank during the ’80’s and enjoyed working at the Villa during our college breaks. She enjoyed the restaurant business, but she spoke of her love of being a teacher before she and Frank were married. Although I only saw her that one time recently, I will miss her kind and gentle nature. Condolences to Frannie, Dave and their family.

John Myers

May 26, 2022

Melina’s Family 
Very sad to hear news about Melina’s passing. She was a special person and very important to our Bedway Mackarey Family Reunion.
John Bedway 

May 25, 2022

Dear Dave & Francesca and all of the Roda Family,
I was sad to learn of Melina’s passing. Frank & Melina hosted our family reunions for more than 30 years at the Italian Villa East – Frank & Melina and their family became an extended member of our family. Her easygoing demeanor made her so wonderful to be around. She will be missed by all.
Sincerely,
Michael Macary

May 25, 2022

 Thoughts and prayers are with each of you and the entire family.  We were blessed to have known Melina.  She was a dear lady.  The Pomarici’s

May 24, 2022

Francine and David, we were so sorry to hear of Mellina’s passing.  We talked with her in April and she sounded so good and alert.  We will always remember everything she did for my Aunt Mickey.  During that time we got reaquainted with her.  We have so many fond memories of staying with her on our visits to Lancaster.  I have a special memory of helping her record her early life in Italy and Lancaster.  She always spoke of her grandchildren and how proud she was of them. We loved her very much and she will be missed. 

May 22, 2022

Fran and Dave, my thoughts and prayers are with each of you and the entire family. Melina touched so many of our life’s, bring warmth and smiles. Sorry for you loss, best regards. 

May 22, 2022

Fran and Dave, my thoughts and prayers are with each of you and the entire family. Melina touched so many of our life’s, bring warmth and smiles. 

May 22, 2022

Condoglianze x la perdita della zia mi dispiace tanto i nipoti maria e marianna 

May 22, 2022

Prayers to all the family with the passing of Melina, A very amazing, classic woman. Peace, Dusty, Linnie, Nick and Lauren

May 21, 2022

Dear Fran:
We are saddened to learn of your mother’s passing. We have so many fond memories of her and the fun we had at the Italian Villa. Please know that you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
Fondly,
Anne and Joel Marcarelli

May 21, 2022

Melina, or as I’ve always known her – Miss Segro was the dearest lady,(besides my Mother) I knew. She was my fourth grade teacher at Poplar street school in Columbia. Every morning she read from the Bible then we recited the Lord’s prayer. Within that wonderful year she must have read 1Corinthians chapter 13 at least a dozen times because it stuck with me. My girls names came from that beautiful scripture, Faith & Hope. Miss Segro will always be in my heart. Rest in peace wonderful lady. 

May 20, 2022

Rest in peace to this incredible woman. Some of my best memories from growing up include seeing her at the Villa or going over to her house at Christmastime. Even though I wasn’t related to her biologically, she still treated me like I was one of her grandkids, and I always knew I could rely on her aboundless love. My sincere condolences to the family. I love you and I’ll miss you Grandma Lina.- Jaimé Ely

May 20, 2022

Anne, Jim and Sylvia,
    Very sorry to read of your Aunt’s passing.  She had a rich and long wonderful life.  I had talked on the phone with her about entering Joe in the Naval Log in Wash D.C. and she was great in helping me out and sending me photographs and information.  To live in one’s heart is never to die.

May 20, 2022

Fran , Dave  and children- we send hearfelt condolences on the passing of your lovely mother Melina. She was such a treasure; my family and I adored her and will miss her deeply. She loved her family fiercely and spoke of all of you with fervor and love. I hope God cradles you gently as you face this loss and grief filled time. Gia Melina, and her cousins coming soon, have their Angel Melina watching over them. May her memory be eternal. Suzee Minnich and Family
 

May 20, 2022

My sincere condolences to the family.  Fran, your mom was such a sweet woman.  You had such a wonderful relationship.  You were very blessed to have her with you for so many years.  

Visitation
Tuesday, May 24, 2022
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
St. Mary's Catholic Church
119 S. Prince St.
Lancaster, PA 17601
Map and Directions

Get Maps and Directions >
Services
Tuesday, May 24, 2022
10:00 AM
St. Mary's Catholic Church
119 S. Prince St.
Lancaster, PA 17601
Map and Directions

Get Maps and Directions >
Send Flowers Online

Offering Lancaster, PA funeral services for over 75 years.

Our six funeral homes in Lancaster County makes it easy and convenient to make arrangements and host services close to home.

  • Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home Downtown Lancaster
  • 414 East King St.
  • 717-393-9661
  • Charles F. (Chip) Snyder, Jr. Funeral Director / Supervisor
  • more info
  • Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home Lititz Pike
  • 3110 Lititz Pike
  • 717-560-5100
  • Charles F. (Chad) Snyder, III Funeral Director / Supervisor
  • more info
  • Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home Millersville
  • 441 North George St.
  • 717-872-5041
  • Mark D. Burkholder Funeral Director / Supervisor
  • more info
  • Spacht-Snyder Family Funeral Home Lititz, PA
  • 127 South Broad St.
  • 717-626-2317
  • Jacqueline Adamson Funeral Director / Supervisor
  • more info
  • Bachman-Snyder Funeral Home & Crematory Strasburg, PA
  • 7 South Decatur Street
  • 717-687-7644
  • Norman T. Mable Funeral Director / Supervisor
  • more info
  • Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home Willow Street, PA
  • 2421 Willow Street Pike
  • 717-464-4600
  • Kelly Gramola Townsend Funeral Director / Supervisor
  • more info