Obituary

Patricia A. Merrill

Mon, 01/15/2024 - 7:30pm

Patricia Ann "Patsy" Merrill, 83, died Jan. 10, 2024 at her home in Boothbay Harbor.

Patsy was born in Boothbay Harbor, Maine to Kenneth K. Merrill and Helen Alley Merrill.

She grew up in Boothbay Harbor and graduated from Boothbay Region High School in the class of 1958. She attended Fisher Junior College and then Burdette College, both in Boston. After graduating, she worked for Raymond Rubicam as his personal secretary as well as working for author Rachel Carson as a typist for her books. She worked as switchboard operator at St. Andrews Hospital in the late ’60s and went on to work for Arthur Carter as a secretary for over 15 years. She worked at Rite Aid until retirement, where she always had a good laugh with her customers. After retirement she enjoyed spending time at her daughter Richelle’s house, often packing up and visiting for a week or so at a time.

Patsy was a devoted mother and grandmother who was very proud of her grandchildren and didn’t miss a minute of them growing up. She would brag of Daniel’s hunting skills even though she didn’t like it a bit! Attending Shannon’s wedding made her so very happy. Everyone knew her as a fun-loving person who loved to sing dance and play the piano. Her talents won her first runner-up in the Miss Boothbay Harbor pageant. She always enjoyed dancing at Lakehurst and all the great times at the VFW and KP Hall over the years. She took great care in her personal appearance, always making sure her hair was styled just right gathering compliments everywhere she went. She had a great sense of humor with the funniest sayings. Her many friends in town will remember her cruising in her sports cars while enjoying a cigarette. She always had a smile and a good story to tell and reminisced about all the good times she had with the gang at Everybody’s. Patsy had a love for all animals from her horse TexAnn when she was a teenager and continued with her love of all animals, especially her beloved cat Blackie in addition to feeding and watching the wild birds and other critters at her feeders. Her love for cats continued with her daughter’s cats Lola and Jesse whom she really enjoyed caring for and spoiling with treats.

Patsy was predeceased by her parents and her sister Helen Metcalf. She is survived by her daughter Richelle Bowden and her husband Michael. Two grandchildren, Daniel Barter of Boothbay, and Shannon Wotton of Bristol.

A private graveside service will be held at Oceanview Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Patsy's memory to Lincoln County Animal Shelter, c/o Midcoast Humane, 5 Industrial Parkway, Brunswick, ME 04011.

Arrangements are entrusted to Hall Funeral Home of Boothbay. Condolences may be shared with the family at hallfuneralhomes.com