HOPKINTON, NH: June Elizabeth (Blake) Merrill, 87, passed away Tuesday morning, January 8, 2019 after a sudden illness. 

Daughter of Martha (Gillingham) Blake and Harry C. Blake, June was born November 30, 1931 in Bradford, NH and raised in South Newbury.  She graduated from Simonds Free High School in Warner, NH.  June continued her studies at Plymouth State College where she met the love of her life, Malcolm Merrill.  They married in the Union Church in South Newbury.  June postponed her studies to personally help build their home in Hopkinton, NH, to live in and raise her family. 

In May 1973, June completed her education and graduated with a B.A. in Education.  She taught nursery school, kindergarten and first grade, all to ensure that her children could attend college. 

June was a loving, dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.  She faithfully attended countless school activities in which her family participated. 

Most notably, June always worked side by side with Malcolm.  They spent endless hours at the camp they built in Dorchester, NH.  She also enjoyed bird watching, gardening, splitting, stacking and cobbing the wood pile.  Her favorite indoor activity was playing the computer game, Free Cell. 

June is survived by Malcolm A. Merrill, her husband of 66 years; her children, Brian Merrill and his wife Bonnie, of Lewes, Delaware, Susan Smith and her husband Paul of Concord, NH, Sandra and Arthur LaCombe of Barton, NY, and was predeceased by her daughter Sally, and Scott Sutcliffe of Trumansburg, NY.  She also leaves ten grandchildren and one deceased grandchild, and eight great-grandchildren. 

June is also survived by her sisters, Katherine Sanborn, Patricia Chambers, and Marion DeRoche. She was also predeceased by her sister, Shirley Blake. 

A Celebration of June's Life will be held Saturday July 27, 2019 from 2 to 4 pm at the Slusser Senior Center, 41 Houston Dr Contoocook, NH, 03229.

In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to New Hampshire Audubon Society..