Janet Merrill

Janet (Dick) Merrill, 89, of Haverhill, died Tuesday, March 30, 2010 at her home surrounded by loved ones after a lengthy illness.Born in Haverhill, Janet was the daughter of the late William J. and Orise (Goudreault) Dick. Recently widowed, she lost her husband, Earl “Bob” Merrill, of 60 years this December past.Janet attended St. Joseph’s Grammar School and Haverhill High School. She worked for many years in Haverhill’s shoe industry. Later, having earned her real estate licence, she was employed at Costello Real Estate and Marianna Morse Real Estate. She retired in 1985, having sold many homes throughout the Merrimack Valley. She and her husband also hosted friends, family and local beach-goers at their cottage in Salisbury. Janet traveled many places throughout the country and the world with her husband they enjoyed spending winters together with friends and neighbors at their home in Lakeland, Fla.Janet is well known for her prolific craft-making skills including knitting, crocheting, embroidery and sewing to name a few. Visitors to her home always came away with a hand-made towel, scarf, hat, or some other treasure. She also volunteered her crafting skills at Kenoza Manor Nursing Home and Haverhill Crossings.She leaves three sons, Paul D. Merrill and his wife Karen of Greenville, Ind., Edward Clifford Merrill and his wife Irene of Lawrence, and Kenneth L. Merrill of China, Maine. She also leaves two daughters, Barbara J. Adams and her husband Donald of Pleasanton, Calif., and Janis M. Taylor and her husband Raymond of Haverhill. Janet’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren include Paula Merrill of New Albany, Ind., Krista Merrill and her husband Scott Pikulski of Chicago, Erica Merrill of Chicago, Christopher Merrill, his wife Rebecca and their two children, Colby and Haley, of Salem, N.H., Allison Blount, her husband Markell and their two children, Alexandria and Isabella of North Andover, and Meghan Perkins, her husband James and their two children, Heidi and Nathan of Nashua. Janet also leaves a brother and sister-in-law, Alvin W. and Alice I. (Glover) Dick of Plaistow, N.H. two sisters, Rita Shaw of Atkinson and Theresa Kamberalis of Haverhill along with several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her brother, Leonard Dick.Janet lived in Haverhill all her life, including 60 years on Corliss Hill Road enjoying long-term friendships with the Collins, Lesiczka, Langlois and Briggs families. She is also close friends of the Deveau family, also of Haverhill, and the Morisky family of Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Janet will be sadly missed by family, friends and neighbors alike.ARRANGEMENTS: Friends and family are respectfully invited to call on Saturday, April 3, from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m., at the Kevin B. Comeau Funeral Home, 486 Main St. (Route 125) Haverhill. Funeral services will take place immediately following the period of visitation at 1 p.m. Memorial donations may be made to Beacon Hospice, 350 Main St., Haverhill, MA 01830. www.comeaufuneral.com.