Nina Merriman

MERRIMAN, NINA (PANTANELLA) Nina (Pantanella) Merriman died peacefully on Dec. 1, with loved ones beside her. Age 95, she was the widow of Thurston S Merriman, her husband of 72 years. The daughter of Italian immigrants, Rocco and Angelica Pantanella, Nina was born on February 4, 1918 in Lynn, MA. She grew up in East Cambridge, the youngest of 5 siblings. Besides her husband and parents, Nina was predeceased by her brothers, Armando, Dino, and Robert and her sister Ida, and by 2 sons-in-law, Stuart Elliott and Richard Fedalen. She is survived by her 3 daughters, Nina Fedalen, Susan Licht (Arnold), and Louise Elliott; and six grandchildren: John, Kate, and Joshua Fedalen, Jonah and Eliza Licht, and Amy Elliott. She also is survived by several nephews including Anthony and Robert Picariello, her husband’s 4 nieces, as well as 6 great grandchildren. Nina was a graduate of Cambridge High & Latin and the first in her family to earn a college degree: a B.S. from Boston University in 1939. She married Thurston in 1939 and reared her 3 children, first in Waterbury, and then in Cheshire, CT. She enjoyed long vacations on Block Island, Rhode Island, which became a center for extended family life. She loved the ocean and the water was always “just perfect”, no matter how chilly. Nina had a lively mind and scholarly inclinations. She taught herself to speak, write and read Italian. When her children were grown, Nina fulfilled a life-long dream of becoming a teacher. She went back to school and earned her teaching certificate from SCSC. She became a teacher of French and Spanish for over 20 years to students at John F. Kennedy Junior High School in Southington. She was very proud that many of her students went on to become teachers. In her retirement she loved long visits to her home on Block Island and spending time with her beloved grandchildren. Thurston and Nina moved to Larson Place in Hamden in 2001 and lived there for the remainder of their years. Both Nina and Thurston were lovingly cared for by Vanessa Lockhart, who will have our eternal gratitude. To celebrate Nina’s life, a memorial service will be held at 2:00 on January 25, 2014, at Atria Larson Place. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in her name to the North Shore Animal League and/or the Humane Society, or any animal rescue organization of your choice.