Obituary

Deceased Name: MERRITT, THELMA L. BLESSING
MERRITT, Thelma L. Blessing

Thelma Louise Blessing Merritt, 79, of East Hartford, passed away Monday evening, (September 23, 2002) peacefully at home. She was born February 13, 1923 in Glastonbury. She was the former wife of the late George Edward Merritt, Sr., and was the daughter of the late Charles and Marie (Berchtold) Blessing, also of Glastonbury. She leaves two sisters, her twin, Marian Garavelli of South Windsor, and Constance Connery of East Hartford; a daughter, Shirley Ann Burke of Broad Brook; and a son, George Edward, Jr. and his wife Melonee Merritt of East Hartford; grandchildren, Roberlie Smith of Broad Brook, Wendy and husband William Zern of Broad Brook, Roy Smith, Jr. of East Hartford, David Smith of East Hartford, Tammi and husband Gustavo Heredia of East Hartford, James Merritt of East Hartford, and Michael Merritt of New Britain; step grandchildren, Kim Burke of East Hartford, Thomas Burke, Jr. of Enfield, David and Jason Gabel of East Hartford, and Kathleen Ann Merritt of New Britain; great grandchildren, Amy Hendren of Burlington, VT, Aprill Hendren of Stafford Springs, Keith, Seann and Meghan Zern of Broad Brook, Cassandra, Antonia, Gustavo, Jr. and Stephon Heredia of East Hartford, and Shayne Davidson of East Hartford; step great grandchildren, John and wife Cheryl Barile of East Hartford, Amy and Celiz Heredia of Holyoke, MA, and Kyle and Rachel Pahulski of East Hartford; a great great grandchild, Alyssa Barile of East Hartford; as well as many nieces, nephews, and other family. Thelma was a member of the East Hartford Ladies Auxiliary, The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #2083, past member of the East Hartford Italian American Clubs Ladies Auxiliary; as well as a member of the Colts Firearms Ladies Club, which she retired from after 25 years of service. As the beloved monarch of her family, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and great great grandmother, she will live forever in her family's hearts. Funeral service will be held on Friday, September 27, 9:30 a.m., from the Newkirk & Whitney Funeral Home, 318 Burnside Ave., East Hartford, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial, 10 a.m., in St. Isaac Jogues Church, East Hartford. Burial will follow in Green Cemetery, Glastonbury. Calling hours will be held on Friday, 8:30-9:30 a.m.