Radio identity Mel Dzelde dies aged 52 after brave health battles

Friends, family and the public have flooded social media with tributes to “courageous” Mel Dzelde, who died this week after twin battles with cancer and MND.

Mel and Chris Dzelde at their Nairne home. Picture: Tom Huntley

SA radio identity and author Mel Dzelde has died after twin battles with cancer and motor neurone disease.

Mel’s husband, fellow radio personality Chris Dzelde, said she passed away “peacefully in her sleep” on Thursday morning. She was 52 years old.

“She was my best friend, my partner in life, she meant the world to me,” Mr Dzelde told The Advertiser.

“We lived together, we worked together, and we loved it.

“Some people may say that working with your partner, what a nightmare that would be, but we just loved being together all the time.

“We shared an office, we shared a desk, we shared a radio station, we shared a life and I’m forever grateful,” he said.

The mother of three beat rectal cancer three times only to have it return once more before she was diagnosed with MND.

Mel Dzelde on a surprise phone call to Oprah Winfrey, at Mary Potter Hospice.

“What I learnt from Mel was a lot about kindness and genorisity and helping people. She always wanted to help people and always wanted to see the best in people no matter what was happening.

“She was always completely present in the moment and one thing we found important to get through five years of cancer diagnosis and operations and treatments and side effects and all that comes along with it is to be present in the moment and to appreciate the moment because it might be all you get,” Mr Dzelde said.

In their final moments, Mr Dzelde and his wife, watched the final episode of The Crown and enjoyed the time they had together.

“She wasn’t scared at all (to die). She was looking forward to the next adventure I guess you could say.”

Mel Dzelde with her husband Chris in 2021 at their Nairne home. Picture: Tom Huntley

After spending the better part of 12 years together, Mr Dzelde said “literally everything reminds me for her”.

“She loved life and was full of joy and had an infectious laugh and lightened up every room she walked into it.

“A joy to be around. Even in the hospice, she lit that place up. People loved her there. She filled her room with colour,” he said.

Almost 10 years ago, Mr Dzelde and Mel were planning to get married in March, but unfortunately Mr Dzelde’s mother was diagnosed with an aggressive form of leukaemia and was only given two weeks to live.

“We flew up to the Gold Coast where she was and brought our wedding forward and actually got married in the hospital so she could be there for it,” Mr Dzelde said.

“It’s with a touch of irony that I realise our married life started in a hospital and ended in one.”

Mel Dzelde and sons Shannon, Mackenzie and Casey. Picture supplied by Mel Dzelde

Radio presenter, Ali Clarke, whose breakfast show organised a GoFundMe to support Mel, posted on Instagram in tribute to her friend.

“I was immeasurably better knowing her. She gave me more than I gave her no matter how much I tried,” she wrote.

“There are some people in the world that should be here forever.”

Cabaret star and former Sunday Mail columnist, Matt ‘Hans’ Gilbertson was grateful for Mel’s “friendship, humour and conversations”.

“We are all so lucky to have had Mel inspire us with such grace and dignity. She’s shown so much courage throughout her life,” he wrote.

Mel and Chris Dzelde

Radio 5MU posted on Facebook dedicating today to “the life of one of the best”.

“Inspiring is a word thrown about too often but in Mel’s case. the word is simply insufficient,” the station wrote.

Author Jaynie Morris posted in tribute to Mel saying she will see the radio personality in every rainbow and “will know it’s her reminding us all to live and love large at all times”.

“She is the light and heart of love itself and throughout all she endured in recent times, she never skipped a beat of shining her beautiful smile to us all,” Ms Morris wrote.

“My life was enhanced greatly as a result of her unconditional love and friendship.”

Fellow radio personality and love and life coach Jane Donovan remembers working with Mel and Rebecca Dettman on ‘Soul Sisters’ national radio show.

“The three of us had an absolute ball sharing emotional content, spiritually and wisdom with lots of soul sharing and laughter,” she wrote on Facebook.

“I have so much admiration, respect and gratitude for Mel.”

Friend and designer Nancy Stroop remembers the headband and cardigan she made Mel.

“I have never known anyone with such strength, kindness and love that fought all that was thrown at her,” Ms Stroop wrote on Facebook.

Mel Dee Dezelde and Oprah Winfrey.

Chris announced Mel’s death on Instagram, and comments underneath were filled with tributes and messages.

“Oh Chris, what a beautiful beacon of light she was in this world. Your romance was so beautiful to see. I am so very deeply sorry for you and your extended family at this incredibly sad time. Much love,” one said.

“I’m really going to miss her. I’m so sad right now. We developed a real friendship over this past year on Instagram while going through chemo treatments. What a beautiful positive person she was and such an inspiration to all. May she RIP,” said another.

In September last year, Mel told The Advertiser “I’ve always been a positive person and I look for the joy in each and every day”.

“It is challenging and it can be scary but I don’t want to live in fear,” she said. “I want to live, love and laugh every day.”

In November, Oprah Winfrey pledged $15,000 to Mel’s Go Fund Me page, organised by The Ali Clarke Breakfast Show, and called her, making her Christmas wishes come true.

The Ali Clarke Breakfast Show partnered with the brekky team from Power FM to fulfil Mel’s wish to have a special Christmas with her family and loved ones, surprising her with a series of gestures and gifts, including Oprah.

“You are such an inspiration. You are the greatest human spirit we have all witnessed. We’ve never met a woman like you,” Oprah told her.

“So blessings to you and thank you for all the grace and inspiration you’ve given to all of us.”

Mel was born on October 25, 1969 and she died on December 8 2022, she was 53-years-old.

Mel is survived by her husband Chris Dzelde, and three sons, Mackenzie, Casey and Shannon Adcock.

Originally published as Radio identity Mel Dzelde dies aged 52 after brave health battles