Mary F. Merrill, 89, of Amherst, NH, passed away March 9 in the presence of her loving family and her Pastor, Rev. Margaret Lewis.
Born in Bath, Maine, on October 26, 1925, she was the daughter of Charles R. and Bertha (Campbell) Furber, and was one of five children. A graduate of Morse High School in Bath, she worked as a teller at a local bank. Following World War II and after her marriage to B. Leonard Merrill, the love of her life, she moved to Nashua in 1951.
Mary’s life centered around her family, her church, and her career as school secretary and homemaker. Nothing made her happier than cooking a large dinner and having the family over to share it, hosting family Christmas gatherings, or visiting her children at their homes. She and her husband of 68 years were inseparable.
She was very active in the life of the First Baptist Church of Nashua: Women’s Fellowship president and fair chairwoman for many years, Circle leader, choir member, Vacation Bible School teacher, Deacon. At 80 years old, she developed a Visitation Program, and faithfully visited home-bound church members. Church was the center of her life; she made many close friends there throughout the years, and was known as “Mom” by several church members.
Mary found the time to do much volunteer work, even while working as the secretary at Ledge Street, Mount Pleasant, and Temple Street Schools. After retirement, she looked back fondly upon those years as school secretary: a position she loved.
When their children were in their teenage years, Mary and Leonard hosted two exchange students who became part of the family: Yoko Tajima of Tokyo, Japan, and Monica Widman of Vasteras, Sweden. Those ties have remained strong throughout the years.
Following retirement, Mary and her husband Leonard moved to Southport Island, Maine, for ten years, returning to southern NH in 2009 to be nearer to the family. Even in her elder years, she continued to exercise faithfully, knit sweaters and prayer shawls, and visit the homebound.
Family members include her husband Leonard; a son, Edmund Merrill of Bedford; two daughters, Diane Pomeroy of Cornwall, PA and Janice Miller of Amherst, NH and their spouses; three grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, a sister, Harriet Carter; several nieces and nephews.
Calling hours will be held on Friday, March 13th from 6:00 – 8:00 pm at the First Baptist Church of Nashua on 121 Manchester Street, and the celebration of Mary’s life will be held at the First Baptist Church Saturday, March 14th at 11:00 a.m. The service will be followed by light refreshments and interment at Edgewood Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made in Mary’s honor to the First Baptist Church of Nashua. Arrangements are in the care of the FARWELL FUNERAL SERVICE, 18 Lock Street, Nashua. (603) 882-0591. www.farwellfuneral.com
