A loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Natalie Elizabeth Merrill, 93, passed away on July 30, 2024. She will be joining her husband and soulmate, Marvin M. Merrill in Heaven’s sanctuary.

Natalie was born Nov. 30, 1930, to the late Rayford and Claire Thurston, previously of Casco.

She was a die-hard lifelong Red Sox fan. She was the president of the Dick Curless International Fan Club for many years and will be well missed by that group of fans and country music people. She was a longtime employee of Unimax in Wallingford, Conn.

She was independent, strong-willed and never missed a beat. Natalie loved it when we were all together no matter how loud it got and made sure everyone’s favorite ice cream was in the freezer. The family would gather up for her sausage and meatball sauce with pasta. Her baked beans, hot dogs and biscuits became a family comfort food and roast beef dinner welcomed the entire family.

Our lives will forever be changed by her presence and will always live in our hearts. Our family is beyond grateful for all the love and support we have already received. We all loved you so much, Godspeed Mom, Gram, Grammy, (aka Farmer and the Dell), you will forever be missed. To have known her is to love her. God Bless.

She is survived by her son Theodore; a lone sister, Ruth Robinson of Naples; three grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews that completed her family. 

Her grandchild, Todd Joseph Merrill, welcomes her to heaven’s gates with loving open arms. She was predeceased by her siblings, Dorothy Macalister, Esther Martocchio, Joan Rines and Richard Thurston.

A Celebration of Life Service was held at The First United Methodist Church, 15 Pleasant Street, Meriden, Conn. on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024. A reception followed the service in Rogers Memorial located at the church. Interment will be in South Casco at Murch Cemetery in the early spring.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the American Legion Aux #155 Scholarship. Make checks out to the same and send them to Connie Eldridge, P.O. Box 282, Naples, ME 04055.

Arrangements are under the direction of The Wallingford Funeral Home, 809 North Main Street Ext, Wallingford, Conn.