Annette (Stanton) Merrill , 89, of North Truro died Wednesday, May 8, 2013 at Cape Cod Hospital after a period of declining health. She was the wife of the late Raphael Merrill who died in 2001. Born in Ware, MA, she was the daughter of the late Edward and Alma (Duhamel) Stanton. Mrs. Merrill was a wonderful and loving mother who embraced life to the fullest. She was a graduate of Elms College in Chicopee, MA, class of 1946 where she majored in chemisty and was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma Sorority. Following her graduation she moved to Provincetown where she married and raised her four children. She did tutoring in her home as well as substitute teaching in Provincetown. As her children grew older, she taught full time in both the Truro and Provincetown schools. She loved children and whenever she would see former students, she always referred to them as “her kids”. After retirement, she worked for many summers at the Cape Cod National Seashore book store in Provincetown. In 1978, she and her husband moved from Provincetown to a home they built in North Truro. For many years she served on the board of the Truro Historical Commission and was a member of the Friends of the Truro Library. She was also a member of the first Parish Council for St. Peter the Apostle Church in Provincetown and taught CCD class there. She was a talented seamstress and enjoyed many hobbies, including quilting, knitting, and reading. She loved to walk – especially on the beach – and did this until her physical limitations prevented her from doing so. She is survived by her son Christopher Merrill and his wife Melissa of Rollinsford, NH; her 3 daughters, Ann Ditto and her husband Arthur of Rye, NH, Mary Olson and her husband Steven of Yorktown, VA and Gail Vasques and her husband John of Provincetown; 7 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren; and her brother Paul Stanton of Longmeadow, MA. She was predeceased by her brothers Edmund and Earl Stanton. Visiting hours are Friday, May 10 at the Gately Funeral Home, 94 Harry Kemp Way, Provincetown, from 4-6 PM. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Peter the Apostle Church, 11 Prince St., Provincetown on Saturday, May 11, at 10 AM. Because of the wonderful care that she received, her family suggests any memorial contributions be made to Truro Rescue Squad, PO Box 2030 Truro, MA 02666, the Provincetown Rescue Squad, 25 Shankpainter Rd., Provincetown, MA 02657 or to the Visiting Nurses Association of Cape Cod 434 Route 134, South Dennis, MA 02660.
View Full Notice → Annette Merrill 5/8/2013 Truro, MA / Provincetown, MA / Yorktown, VA