Alice Merrill Milford, Connecticut Obituary

Alice Merrill

Alice Merrill, passed away peacefully on March 3, 2012 at her home in Milford. Alice was born in the family farmhouse in Northford, CT, the third of what would eventually be twelve siblings. Her father, Frank Cecarelli, came from Pesaro, Italy, and her mother, Angelina Arena, from the lovely city of fountains, Avellino. Alice was tops in her grammar school class, but there was at that time no way to get to Wallingford, so her high school diploma came to her very easily some years later in the GED program. Her claim to fame as a youth was her sport as soloist in Pierpolli’s big accordion band in New Haven. During WWII she went to work for Chance Vought Aircraft where she met Jim, and a love affair of over sixty years began. Jim was soon drafted into the Navy and Alice followed him to Oklahoma where, to sustain them, she became a waitress. This marked the start of many years as a popular waitress in fine restaurants in Norfolk, VA, in Milford, CT and in Stratford, CT. After returning home they had two children to whom Alice dedicated the rest of her days. She was a member of the First United Church for over fifty years, enjoying the Women’s Fellowship and serving as a deacon. For many years she and Jim danced together in shows and mostly just for the joy of it all. After retirement she took part in many of the wonderful programs at the Milford Senior Center. She is survived by her husband Jim, her son James W. Merrill of West Haven, her son in-in-law Peter Merrill-Oldham of Cambridge, MA, sisters Helen Burdacki of Meriden and Clara DiBendetto of New Haven, brother John of Northford, several sisters-in-law, and a host of nephews and nieces and their offspring. She was predeceased by her beloved daughter, Jan Merrill-Oldham formerly of Cambridge, MA, her sister Mary Smith, brothers Louis, Andrew, Nelson, Thomas, Anthony, Joseph and Frank, also by three brothers-in-law, four sisters-in-law, and several dear nieces and nephews. There will be no calling hours. There will be a memorial service at the First United Church of Christ on March 17, 2012 at 10:30am. Private burial will be in the Northford Cemetery.
October 26, 1915 - March 3, 201210/26/191503/03/2012
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Obituary

Alice Merrill, passed away peacefully on March 3, 2012 at her home in Milford. Alice was born in the family farmhouse in Northford, CT, the third of what would eventually be twelve siblings. Her father, Frank Cecarelli, came from Pesaro, Italy, and her mother, Angelina Arena, from the lovely city of fountains, Avellino. Alice was tops in her grammar school class, but there was at that time no way to get to Wallingford, so her high school diploma came to her very easily some years later in the GED program. Her claim to fame as a youth was her sport as soloist in Pierpolli’s big accordion band in New Haven. During WWII she went to work for Chance Vought Aircraft where she met Jim, and a love affair of over sixty years began. Jim was soon drafted into the Navy and Alice followed him to Oklahoma where, to sustain them, she became a waitress. This marked the start of many years as a popular waitress in fine restaurants in Norfolk, VA, in Milford, CT and in Stratford, CT. After returning home they had two children to whom Alice dedicated the rest of her days. She was a member of the First United Church for over fifty years, enjoying the Women’s Fellowship and serving as a deacon. For many years she and Jim danced together in shows and mostly just for the joy of it all. After retirement she took part in many of the wonderful programs at the Milford Senior Center. She is survived by her husband Jim, her son James W. Merrill of West Haven, her son in-in-law Peter Merrill-Oldham of Cambridge, MA, sisters Helen Burdacki of Meriden and Clara DiBendetto of New Haven, brother John of Northford, several sisters-in-law, and a host of nephews and nieces and their offspring. She was predeceased by her beloved daughter, Jan Merrill-Oldham formerly of Cambridge, MA, her sister Mary Smith, brothers Louis, Andrew, Nelson, Thomas, Anthony, Joseph and Frank, also by three brothers-in-law, four sisters-in-law, and several dear nieces and nephews. There will be no calling hours. There will be a memorial service at the First United Church of Christ on March 17, 2012 at 10:30am. Private burial will be in the Northford Cemetery.

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