Jeanne Merrow

Jeanne Merrow
KENNEBUNK -- Jeanne Merrow died peacefully on Friday, April 29, 2011, as she had lived, on her own terms and with her great spirit unbowed.
Born in New York on Jan. 26, 1927, Jeanne graduated from Emma Willard School and Russell Sage College. After spending time in California and New York, she moved to Maine in 1963. She first settled in Wells and later moved to Ogunquit where she raised her children.
Jeanne owned and operated The Travel Company of Maine in Kennebunk for 25 years, working alongside close friends Pat Weare, Meredith Rogers, Nina Durgin, and Barbara Meserve until she retired in 2003.
Jeanne loved to travel, and had wonderful memories of trips to exotic places with great groups of friends and clients from throughout southern Maine.
Jeanne loved to laugh, and she was known for her great intelligence and wit. She often saw the humor in difficult or ridiculous situations. Jeanne welcomed many to her home, and the summers spent around the pool with friends and children's friends from Ogunquit are the stuff of local legend. At her holiday table, one usually found extended family, friends old and new, and the occasional stray. Jeanne loved politics and was a steadfast Republican. She always enjoyed a spirited political discussion and woe to the Democrat who might express dissent.
Jeanne loved animals and loved to garden. Over the years her home was shared with beloved cats and dogs, including Alice, Tozie, Pasha, Clancy, and Malley. She spent much of her spring and summer with her pets in her wonderful gardens 'on the mountain.'
Above all, Jeanne loved her friends and family. She was a generous friend, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She will be missed by all, especially friends, Shirley Ducharme, the Weare family, Ian and Polly Mackenzie, and Meredith and Jack Rogers.
Thank you to all who cared for and visited Jeanne during her time at Southern Maine Medical Center and St. Andres Healthcare. Jeanne leaves daughters, Melissa Libby of Richmond, Kate Scarano and her husband Dan of Flemington, N.J., her son, Lucas Merrow and his wife Robin of Rollinsford, N.H.; grandchildren, Nathan Libby, Sophie, Katherine, and Martha Merrow, Heather, Joshua, and Sarah Scarano, Amanda and Matthew Langois; and great-grandchildren, Zoe and Max Libby.
As per her wishes, Jeanne's ashes will be scattered at sea, followed by a private family celebration of her life. Arrangements are in care of Bibber Memorial Chapel. www.bibberfuneral.com.
In lieu of flowers, Jeanne requested donations be made to:
The Animal Welfare Society
of West Kennebunk
P.O. Box 43
West Kennebunk, Maine 04094
Jeanne Merrow