Jane Helen Catherman Clawson Merrill, passed away Aug. 8 after a year-long battle with cancer.
Jane was born in 1929 in Hartleton, Penn., and spent most of her childhood on her father’s dairy farm. She was a graduate of the class of 1946 in Mifflinburg, Penn. and attended college at Syracuse University and a fashion academy in New York City.
After living in New Jersey and New York for a time, she moved with her family in 1962 to Stow, Mass., where she started Clawson Associates, a real estate company with her first husband. Her first marriage ended in 1971. Jane continued as a real estate broker for many years in Stow and, along with her second husband, Albert O. Merrill, whom she married in 1983, was a well-respected and successful member of that field.
After retirement, Jane and Al moved to New Harbor in 1993 and spent 18 wonderful years together, enjoying the beauties of Maine, one of their favorite activities being sailing. Jane also loved handwork, being very skilled at knitting, quilting, needlepoint, rug hooking and sewing. She was also an avid gardener and delighted many a walker as they would pass her lovely gardens. Jane loved to read and often commented that she could never remember a time in her life that she was not able to do so.
Jane was active in the surrounding community and was a former board member of the Friends of Colonial Pemaquid and a current member of the Clamshell Quilters Guild, where she made one of the of the panels in the wall hangings of the scenes of the Bristol area, a current member of the Bristol Area Library Knitters and a member of the Old Bristol Garden Club.
In addition, Jane faithfully volunteered at the Miles Memorial Hospital League Rummage Sale for many years.
She was predeceased by a son, Peter M. Clawson.
Jane leaves behind her loving husband of 29 years, Albert O. Merrill of New Harbor; children, Christopher J. Clawson of Turner’s Falls, Mass. and Sandra C. Allen and husband Col. Jay T. Allen, currently of Ft. Riley, Kan.; grandchildren, Jessica J. Allen Grosek, Kathryn L. Allen Murray, Emily E. Allen, Graeme C. Allen, Farris W. Allen and Ross M. Allen; two sons-in-law; three great-grandchildren; and step-children, Christopher Merrill of Stow, Mass., Nancy Merrill Zacharek of Conestoga, N.Y. (husband Keith and daughter Holly) and William Merrill of Maynard, Mass.
Open house in Jane’s memory held by the family 10-11 a.m., Mon., Aug. 20 at her home. Jane will be laid to rest in Hartleton, Penn., next to her parents.
Condolences, and messages for the family may be sent directly to the Merrill Family, PO Box 468, New Harbor, ME 04554, or by visiting www.StrongHancock.com.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Jane’s memory may be made to the Bristol Free Library, PO Box 173, New Harbor, ME 04554-0173.
Arrangements are under the direction and care of the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, 612 Main St., Damariscotta.
