Dorothy Merchant, 87, passed away at her Duxbury home on Thursday, June 6, 2013. Born in Barre on December 7, 1925, she was the daughter of the late Ira and Lillian (Marvin) Harvey. On December 29, 1945, she married Donald E. Merchant in Waterbury. Donald, her husband of 53 years, predeceased Dorothy on September 6, 1999.
Dorothy was a 1943 graduate of Waitsfield High School and continued her education at the Johnson Normal School, graduating with her teaching certificate in 1944. For over 22 years, Dorothy was an educator in the school systems of Fayston, Waitsfield, Duxbury and Moretown.
Dorothy served the town of Duxbury as treasurer for five years and auditor for several years. Her memberships included Wesley United Methodist Church and VFW Post #10034 Auxiliary, both of Waterbury, and she volunteered at Berlin Health and Rehabilitation Center for nine years.
In her leisure time she enjoyed crocheting, card games, creating family photo books, flower gardening, making news item scrapbooks and spending time with her large and loving family.
Dorothy is survived by her three sons, Donald E. Merchant Jr. and Merrilee of Cambridge, Dennis Merchant and his wife Pam of The Villages, FL, and Daniel Merchant and his wife Yolanda of Axtell, TX; seven grandchildren, Kristin Surprenant and her husband Norman, Brian Merchant and his wife Nicole, Kimberly Champney and her husband Brian, Donald J. Merchant (DJ) and his wife Jackie Lyn, Amber Merchant, Peter Merchant and his wife Michalle, and Molly Sandlin and her husband Jason; 11 great-grandchildren, Parker Merchant, Colby and Mareya Surprenant, Bryce, Brayden and Brody Champney, Autumn Merchant, Ethan and Caleb Sandlin, Taylor and Morgan Miller; her sister, Violet Sherman of Duxbury; as well as nieces, nephews and extended family. Dorothy was predeceased by a great-grandson, Taber Merchant, and her sister, Lillian Griffith.
Funeral services will be held from the Wesley United Methodist Church in Waterbury on Thursday, June 13, 2013, at 11 a.m. with interment to follow in the South Duxbury Cemetery. Friends called at the Wesley United Methodist Church on Wednesday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. For those who wish, memorial gifts in lieu of flowers would be appreciated to the South Duxbury Cemetery, c/o Eleanor Pratt, 49 Vermont Route 100, Duxbury, VT 05660, or to Wesley United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 214, Waterbury, VT 05676. Assisting the family is the Perkins-Parker Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Waterbury. To send online condolences visit www.perkinsparker.com and Facebook.
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