Mechele Dachisen, Wife Of Madison Police Chief, Dies At 51

MADISON, NJ - She was hailed as an amazing person, a mother of twins and a fierce warrior who was battling cancer for the second time in her life. But on Saturday the fight ended for Mechele Rose Dachisen (nee Fish), a longtime Rockaway Township resident, as she "passed away peacefully in the embrace of her loving family." She was 51.

According to her family, Mechele was born on April 28, 1967 in Dover and she was raised in Hopatcong. She had a smile that could light up a room and a heart of gold.

At a very young age it was clear that Mechele was a talented gymnast. She excelled at gymnastics and at the young age of four was able to memorize and execute complicated gymnastic routines. Mechele was also very active in cheerleading while in high school. Shortly after graduating high school, Mechele would meet her husband, Darren Dachisen, and the couple were married in 1989. Darren Dachisen forged a career in law enforcement and would eventually go on to become Chief of Police in Madison.

According to her family, the couple settled in Rockaway Township where they would eventually welcome twins Darren Jr. and Kaylyn who were the light of Mechele’s life. Mechele also had a special place in her heart for animals, especially her dogs, and she was an advocate for animal rights.

Before the twins were born, Mechele was an administrator with Samsung International in Ledgewood for several years.

She is survived by her devoted husband of 29 years, Darren Dachisen; her parents, Richard and Patricia Fish; her cherished twins, Darren Paul Dachisen, Jr. and Kaylyn Rose; two sisters, Mary Lynn Bush and her husband, Robert and Melody Dawson; her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Steven J. and Marion Dachisen; two brother-in-laws, Steven J. Dachisen, Jr. and his wife, Pam and Robert Dachisen; two sister-in-laws, Lisa Perrotti and her husband, Franco and Kathy Dachisen; many loving nieces and nephews; and her two dogs, Jazzy and Tessa. Mechele was predeceased by her brother-in-law, Michael Dachisen in August.

Mechele's cousin, Lori Young, started a GoFundMepage on Oct. 11 to assist the family with the financial burden of the cancer fight. Young noted the selflessness of the family and that they were not the type to ask for help.

And Young updated those who donated after Mechele's passing.

"Heaven gained an angel this morning, Mechele is at peace once more," Young wrote on Saturday. "Please keep Darren and the kids and all of her family and friends in your prayers. Thank you so much for the prayers and support."

As soon as the news was posted, mourners shared their feelings.

"God bless Mechele and the Dachisen family," Debbie Lam said.

Leslie Lajewski said she was sending prayers and well wishes to the entire family. Robert Nilsen, sending prayers of his own.

"You’ve all treated and loved me as a part of the Dachisen family, Nilsen said. "I thank you all for that. God Bless."

Joanne Sala also asked for God's blessing.

"Praying God wraps Mechele in his loving arms and brings her comfort and peace," Sala said. "Praying for Darren, their two beautiful twins and the entire Dachisen family."

Services Set

Funeral services will begin at 9 a.m. on Thursday at the Tuttle Funeral Home, 272 State Route 10, Randolph followed by a 10 a.m. funeral mass held at St. Mary’s RC Church, in Wharton. Interment will follow at First Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Rockaway. A visitation to celebrate Mechele’s life will be held on Wednesday from 3 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, charitable contributions in Mechele’s memory may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105

For more information or condolences to the family, please visit www.Tuttlefh.com

(Photo courtesy of the Tuttle Funeral Home)

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