SHIRLEY A. MERRIAM (GREGSON)

   Shirley A. (Gregson) Merriam, 85, of Old Mill Rd, passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 29th in Saint Vincent Hospital, Worcester, surrounded by her loving family. Her husband, Richard G. Merriam died in 1967.

   She leaves her three childben, David C. Merriam and his wife Debra of Shrewsbury, Kristine A. Merriam and her companion Lisa Scerra, with whom she lived, and Carol A. Ledoux and her husband Fran of Las Vegas, NV; as well as her two grandchildren, Chelsea A. and Zachary T. Merriam. She was predeceased by her sister Marguerite Gregson.

   She was born in Watertown, daughter of the late Thomas Frederick and Ruth Elizabeth (Peterson) Gregson. She graduated from David Hale Fanning Girls Trade School.

   Mrs. Merriam worked as a sales associate for the former Andrew's Hallmark Store before retiring in 1987. She remained working part time until 2002. She previously worked as a teacher's aide at Happy Acres Nursery School and at the Fairlawn Church Nursery School. She was a member of Wellspring United Methodist Church in Shrewsbury, and was a longtime member of the former Fairlawn United Methodist Church. She enjoyed creating crafts and knitting and was a member of the "Tuesday Stichery" group at church. She also was an avid reader.

   Relatives and friends are invited to attend visiting hours on Wednesday, April 1st from 4-7 PM in the Britton-Shrewsbury Funeral Home, 648 Main St., Shrewsbury. Her funeral will be celebrated on Thursday, April 2nd at 10 AM in Trinity Episcopal Church, 440 Main St., Shrewsbury. Pastor Leslie Wasselman of Wellspring Church will officiate. Burial will follow in Worcester County Memorial Park, Paxton.

   If desired, memorial donations may be sent to the American Heart Association, 20 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701 or to the Wellspring Church Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 35, Shrewsbury, MA 01545.