History

MAC was created as a living memorial for Melody Arons, daughter of Raymond and Marilyn Arons, sister of Jonathan Arons. She lived to age 29, finding pleasure in bringing people to her home, in rock music, parties, in taking care of all kinds of animals and bugs. She loved physical activity, fashion, garage sales, jokes and helping people. During the 80s and 90s, her home was also the place where the Parent Information Center of New Jersey (PIC) was created. Many PIC volunteers who worked there became her extended family. Though she only had one sibling, she often told her teachers that she came from a family of “hundreds”. And she did.

As a young woman she became employed at age 18 and never missed a day’s work until the day she died. At age 22 she got her driver’s license, secretly arranging for lessons and a road test. She was a mail clerk and knew every zip code upon request. At age 25 she met a young man known as “Billy”. Gradually they fell in love. Four years later, on June 5, 1997, Billy murdered Melody and then committed suicide. Within 24 hours, approximately 300 members of her “family” attended her funeral, all sharing stories about the little girl they watched grow up into a beautiful, vibrant, and independent young woman. The unspeakable tragedy of her loss required a fitting tribute to her life. As a result, the Melody Arons Center was born. MAC’s commitment to help young children with disabilities grow and learn is an act of love - each hug and peek-a-boo a memory of things past and a celebration of things to come.