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Myrtle Effie Merrett

1927-2022

Myrtle Effie Merrett

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Myrtle Effie Merrett. She passed away peacefully on January 7, 2022, in the Valley Regional Hospital, Kentville after a brief illness at the age of 94.

Born in Rockland, Kings County she was the daughter of the late Everett and Mabel (Taylor) Strong. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her husband, Ernest Merrett; son, Sidney Merrett; grandson, Mark Merrett and brother, Leslie Strong.

She is survived by her children, Robbin (Sheila) Merrett, Centreville; Allen (Louise) Merrett, St. John’s Nfld.; Kendall (Angela) Merrett, North Kentville; Marcia (Ron) Elliott, West Brooklyn; Milton (Kimberly) Merrett, Centreville; Sheldon (Tina) Merrett, Port Williams; 11 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews.

Myrtle was a beloved member of the Port Williams community. She moved to the "Port" in 1953 to work at a local café and grocery store where she met and later married a local young man. Together they raised seven children and operated a successful nursery business selling bedding plants that was in operation for over 30 years. 

She was a devout member of the Port Williams United Baptist Church and a tireless volunteer. Her volunteer work began when she joined the Nova Scotia Farm Service Force in 1942 working on her father’s farm to help with the war effort. She served on a number of church committees and community organizations over the years, many of which she remained active in until the time of her death including the Loyal Workers Church Group where she could be found organizing and working in the kitchen for catering events and community luncheons; The Port Williams Women’s Institute, The Port Williams Health Auxiliary; The Women’s Missionary Society of Wolfville, The Port Williams Community Centre Board of Trustees and in earlier years the Port Williams Fire Department Auxiliary.

She was honoured to have received the Harold Legge Volunteer Award as well as a Lifetime Membership Awards from the Women’s Institute and the Health Auxiliary and was also nominated for a Women of Excellence Award.

Never one to be idle, she always had a craft project on the go, sewing comfort blankets for the IWK and Ronald MacDonald house, adult bibs for Valley Regional Hospital, knitting newborn hats and infant sweaters for Valley Regional Hospital, etc. She also enjoyed gardening, reading, and watching hockey and curling on TV.

Above all else she most enjoyed visits with family and friends, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Mum, you were a very special lady who lived a long, happy, productive life and we will miss you dearly!

A celebration of Myrtle’s life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, April 29, 2022 in Port Williams Baptist Church, Port Williams, followed by a reception in the Port Williams Community Centre. For those unable to attend, a livestream of the service will be available at Port Williams Baptist Church YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPgQh9mE0fuJBb9Pjs06JIw. Interment will take place in St. John’s Anglican Church Cemetery, Church Street. Donations in her memory can be made to the Port Williams United Baptist Church or Valley Hospice Foundation. Arrangements have been entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Kentville. Online condolences and inquiries may be directed to www.whitefamilyfuneralhome.com.

"The purpose of life is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well." — Ralph Waldo Emerson

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Service Date
Friday, April 29, 2022
Service Time
2:00 p.m.
Service Location
Port Williams United Baptist Church, Port Williams, Nova Scotia

Burial Location
St. John's Anglican Church Cemetery, Church Street, Port Williams, Nova Scotia

Requested Charity
Port Williams United Baptist Church or Valley Hospice Foundation