Marion K Merrill

Marion K. Merrill, 99, a life-long resident of Ashland, passed away on Wednesday, December 31, 2014 at the Courville at Manchester assisted living facility after a brief illness. Born in New Hampton on May 16, 1915, she was the daughter of Frank Otis and Edith Marie (Locke) Kelley. Marion was raised in New Hampton and attended local schools; she graduated from the then Plymouth State Normal School with a teaching certificate in 1936; her teaching career began as a teacher in a one room school house, in Lyman, NH. Marion married her beloved husband of 28 years, Francis Ellis Merrill, Sr., in 1937. Together, Francis and Marion opened a Real Estate and Insurance business on Main St., in downtown Ashland; she also served as the Town Clerk for the town of Ashland from 1958 - 1980. When her beloved Francis passed in 1965 Marion continued the insurance business until 1980. She sold the insurance company but continued on as a realtor until 1995. Living a very active life in the Ashland community, Marion served in many positions and participated in many clubs, including: The Squam Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce, the NH Realtors Board, she was the Assistant Town Moderator of Ashland while simultaneously serving as the Chair of the Ashland Memorial Park Commission, she was the Co-Chair of the Squam Lake Covered Bridge Committee; she was a life-long congregant of the 1st Freewill Baptist Church, of Ashland and participated in the Women's Club and Choir and she was also a devoted member of the Rebekahs, Order of the Eastern Star. Marion was awarded the 1st Annual Mary Ruell Citizen of Ashland Award for the 2014 Ashland 4th of July Celebration. Marion was a formidable Scrabble player, and she enjoyed crossword puzzles; she was a devoted Republican and held many deep political convictions, never feeling sorry if others disagreed. She will be lovingly remembered by her family as a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and aunt who put Family, Church, and Community first. In addition to her husband, Marion is predeceased by her two sons, Thomas and Dennis Merrill and seven siblings. She is survived by her son, F. Ellis Merrill, Jr., and his wife Katherine, of Nashua; son, Frank Merrill and his wife Rhonda, of Lewistown, PA; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, and many beloved friends throughout the greater Ashland community. In lieu of flowers, Marion's family would appreciate donations in her memory be made to the 1st Freewill Baptist Church of Ashland, P.O. Box 602, Ashland, NH 03217.

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Marion K Merrill

May 16, 1915 - December 31, 2014