Hyde Park – Elma V. Merritt, 94, previously of Hyde Park and Wassaic, NY, passed away on Saturday, December 29, 2018, at The Grand at River Valley, Poughkeepsie, NY.
A mother’s love can never die. Through the highs and lows and family strife, she had loved her family as only a mother could. Elma was a devoted mother to her three children and made her home a safe haven for the neighborhood children of working mothers. Elma Vernice Merritt is no longer by our side but will be forever in our hearts.
Elma a lifelong resident of New York was born in Poughkeepsie on July 12, 1924, to the late George F. Wells Sr. and Mary E. Galvin Wells. On November 22, 1951, she married Allen L. Merritt Sr. at Holy Trinity Church and made their home in Hyde Park for more than three decades. Elma’s artistic ability was evident in her sewing and ran her own business doing Custom Upholstering after rearing children. Elma had battled many years with dementia leaving the home she so tenaciously held onto with her husband in Wassaic. Mr. Merritt predeceased her on November 27, 2006, just five days after their anniversary of fifty-five years.
Also, preceding Elma was her sisters Madeline Wells 1917, Charlotte Orlando 1942, Marietta “Rita” Adams 1985, Winifred Boshart 1989, brothers Garvin Wells Sr. 1996 and George Wells 2001, her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren moved forward from this day deeply saddened by her passing. Elma leaves behind daughter Alison Colich; husband Rudy of Poughkeepsie, sons Allen Merritt Jr.; wife, Frances, of Elizaville and Alvin E. Merritt of Wassaic. grandchildren: Eric Merritt, Brooke and Jennifer Kaase, great-grandchildren: Eric Jr. and Alyssa Merritt.
There will be no memorial service or calling hours. Memorial donations may be made in Elma’s name to Alzheimer’s Association, 2 Jefferson Plaza, Suite 103, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601 or www.alz.org
. Arrangements are by Sweet’s Funeral Home, Hyde Park.
