For those who loved her, Dianne Merrill, who succumbed to cancer over the weekend, will be remembered as a fighter who never let her illness bring her down, even at its worst.
That fighting spirit kept her positive and enabled her to give a special gift to her family – a final holiday season together and a final celebration of her son’s birthday.
“She passed away peacefully with her family by her side and is now in heaven, finally free of her pain and suffering,” said Steve Merrill, Dianne Merrill’s husband. “She hung on long enough to see (her son’s) 13th birthday – her final gift to him.”
The family, former Westbrook residents, lives in Windham.
Merrill, 44, was diagnosed last April with cancer of the gall bladder, which spread and was difficult to treat, according to her husband, who took a leave of absence from work in October to care for her. Radiation left her body damaged and made matters worse.
The Merrill family was the focus of a fundraising dance on Feb. 16 held by the Westbrook Falcons youth ice hockey team to raise money to help pay for the Merrill’s medical bills. Curtis Merrill, 13, is the team’s first-string goalie.
“The dance was a big success,” said Steve Merrill this week. “People are still sending us donations as well as cards and letters. It has really helped to keep things positive for Curtis and me.”
Merrill is being remembered this week as a strong person and a wonderful mother.
Neighbor Jodie Rickett, whose son is close friends with Curtis Merrill, said Merrill raised a wonderful boy whom she’s proud to say is a friend to her son.
“My heart just aches like I’ve lost a great friend I’ve known for years,” said Rickett. “When I think of how hard Dianne fought to stay in this world, I wish we had a better ending to the story.”
Steve Merrill said his wife was particularly proud of her son, whether he was playing drums or hockey or baseball. In her obituary, he said she never complained about her son practicing the drums in the house, even when she was suffering during her illness.
In an e-mail sent to Steve and Curtis Merrill, Peter Gaudreau, whose son plays hockey with Curtis Merrill, described him as a kind and wise young man who is the way he is because of his loving parents.
“He’s just a wonderful, wonderful boy,” Nancy Heath, whose son also plays on the Westbrook Falcons, said in a previous interview. “You’ve never seen an impact like this child has had on so many families.”
For those who were unable to attend the dance but who wish to help the Merrill family, donations can be sent to WYH, care of the Merrill Family, at 132 East Bridge St., Westbrook 04092.
Hockey team rallies around family
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