Sylvia Merryman

Cumberland – Sylvia Jane Fortier Merryman, 86, died on Saturday January 8th, 2011 at Ledgeview Assisted Living in Cumberland Foreside, after a long illness and with loved ones at her side, including her little dog Max.

Born in Houlton, ME on March 10, 1924 she was the ninth child of ten born to Charles Thomas Fortier and Laura Beatrice Stairs Fortier. She attended school in Houlton. As a teen she moved with her family to the Freeport area. She worked at the shipyard in South Portland working on the Liberty Ships that were built there during WWII. She also worked for a time at the Jarvis Restaurant in Brunswick.

Sylvia was married in 1952 to Donald F. Merryman in the Baptist church in Freeport. They lived in Chicago for a brief time and then for over 40 years in Bellingham, MA. She was a housewife and mother. Her interests included bowling, gardening and various crafts. She also had the privilege to travel with her husband Donnie on his business trips to South Korea and Israel. But one of their favorite vacation places was right here in Maine at Acadia.

She is survived by her son Charles Rowe and his wife Susan of Freeport; siblings Ann Backlin of New Gloucester, Earl Fortier and his wife Vivian of Virginia Beach, VA and Alice Libby of Deltona Beach, FL; special niece Laura Dalrymple of Freeport; granddaughter Christine Edson and her husband Jerred of Limington; great-grandsons Hunter and Tanner Edson.

Sylvia was predeceased by her parents, her husband Donnie and her daughter Linda Merryman Irving. Also, siblings Grace Smith, MaryAnn Peck, Violet Rowe, John, Thomas and Lawrence Fortier and half-siblings Lydia Faulkner, Marge Yaccarino, Charles and Edward Boyne.

The family wishes to tank VNA Hospice for their care of Sylvia. The family especially wants to thank Karen and David Landa and their staff at Ledgeview for their love and support over the last three years, truly making Sylvia part of their “family”.

Visiting hours will be on Friday January 14, 2011 from 4:00 – 6:00 PM at Lindquist Funeral Home, One Mayberry Lane, Yarmouth, ME 04096. A funeral service will be held at the funeral home on Saturday January 15 at 11:00 AM with Rev. Kent Allen officiating. Burial will be in Burr Cemetery in Freeport in the spring. Please visit www.lindquistfuneralhome.com to view a video collage of Sylvia’s life and to share your condolences, tributes and memories with her family.

For those who wish, donations may be made in Sylvia’s memory to: Animal Refuge League, PO Box 336, Westbrook, ME 04098