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Merilyn Friberg Obituary

BARRE - Merilyn Virginia (Fayen) Friberg, 87, died on Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2013, at Woodstock Terrace Assisted Living in Woodstock, Vt., where she had lived for the past four months, after 13 years of triumphs and struggles with vascular dementia caused by a massive stroke in December of 1999.  

She was born on Dec. 17, 1925, in New York City, the middle daughter of Lillian (Weber) and Cord Fayen. She grew up in New Rochelle, N.Y., where she attended grammar school and high school. She met her husband-to-be, Melvin Friberg, on the day she graduated from Skidmore College in 1947. He was the older brother of Loraine Friberg Granai, Merilyn's college classmate. Married in 1949, Merilyn and Mel raised their family in Barre where he owned and operated the Anderson-Friberg Co. with Merilyn's full support and devotion to him and their family. She was extremely proud of her husband and children, and she adored her six grandchildren.

Merilyn was a lovely woman with a beautiful smile, a hearty laugh and a flair for style. She was a staunch supporter of Planned Parenthood; a member of the Central Vermont Hospital Auxiliary and the Granite Center Garden Club; a Central Vermont Home Health and Hospice volunteer; and she worked as a substitute teacher in the Barre public schools. Merilyn was also a longtime member of the Barre Congregational Church. She was an avid golfer at the Barre Country Club and the Eastman Golf Club in Grantham, N.H., where she and her husband owned a second home for a short time.

Melvin's death in 2009 broke Merilyn's heart. She leaves behind her three children, their spouses and their children: Peter and Sally Friberg, of Cape Cod and Florida, and their children, Andrew and Lindsay; Nancy and Bob Pope, of Barre Town, and their three children, Elizabeth, Gregory and Michael; and Cary Friberg and Carl Yalicki, of Moretown, and their son, Joseph. Her sisters, Marjorie Boyd, of California, and Janice Burke, of Florida, also survive her, along with Janice's husband, Douglas. She leaves behind her sister and brother-in-law, Loraine and Kio Granai, of Northfield; Tish Rossi, of Barre, who was a dear friend; and Cynthia Gable, of Barre, who became a close friend late in Merilyn's life.  

Her brother-in-law Robert Boyd predeceased her, as did her sister and brother-in-law Sylvia and Robert Stewart, of Barre.

The family would like to thank Sheila Ruel, of Northfield, for her loving care for and loyalty to Merilyn for many years.

Merilyn's life will be honored and celebrated at noon on Saturday, Feb. 16, 2013, in the Barre Congregational Church. There will be a reception in the church dining room following the service.

There are no calling hours.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Book of Remembrance, Barre Congregational Church, 35 Church St., Barre, VT 05641.

The Hooker and Whitcomb Funeral Home, 7 Academy St., is in charge of the arrangements.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Times Argus from Feb. 13 to Feb. 14, 2013.

Memories and Condolences
for Merilyn Friberg

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Diane Lewis

February 18, 2013

Kari, Carl & Joe,
So sorry to hear of your loss. Cherish all the wonderful memories.

Tom & Linda Boyce

February 16, 2013

Linda and I extend to the Friberg and Pope families our deepest sympathies and prayers. Merilyn will be truly missed by many in Central Vermont.

February 15, 2013

To the Family of Merilyn Friberg,
Our sincere sympathy at your great loss. Merilyn was a beautiful lady and a pleasure to know. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Janet and Norman Dion
Ft. Myers, Florids

February 15, 2013

We will keep the family in our thoughts and prayers. We have such pleasant memories of Merilyn (and the whole family) from our Barre Congregational days and from our Tremont Street years! What a thoughtful and kind lady she was!

Joanne and Bob Rohrer, Lancaster, Pa

Margaret and Allen Perrin

February 15, 2013

On behalf of my mother, Cassie MacLeod, we extend our deepest sympathy to the Friberg family. May the love of Christ surround you and your memories comfort you as you go through this difficult time. God bless you all.

Brian Harwood

February 15, 2013

A wonderful life, well lived.

February 15, 2013

She is in Gods arms now and in our hearts forever. We will always cherish our memories of the fun times we shared. You are in our prayers. Nancy and Perry Browning

Brenda Seely

February 14, 2013

Dear Peter,Sally, and the rest of the wonderful Friberg Family,
I remember your mom, as well as dad, as very gracious sweet people in Dad's Congregational Church.Both were so respected within the Barre Community. My deepest sympathies.
Brenda Seely

Rita Bassett

February 14, 2013

Nancy, Bob and family: It is with sadness to read of Merilyn's passing. I didn't have the opportunity to know her much but only heard wonderful kind things about her. It was wonderful that her family was so attentive to her needs when she needed it. My deepest sympathy to the family.

Bob and Pam Peake

February 14, 2013

Our sympathies and prayers go out to the Friberg, Pope, Granai and Rossi families. God bless you!

Don and Alice Ennis

February 14, 2013

Our sincere sympathy to the Friberg family. We know she and Mel are together again. Wishing you comfort during this difficult time.

David Gustafson

February 14, 2013

My prayers and condolences to the family. Merilyn and Mel always put a smile on my face whenever I saw them.

John Ormsby

February 14, 2013

To the Family of Merilyn.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time.
John & Aggie Ormsby

February 14, 2013

Sincerest sympathy to the entire Friberg family - children, grandchildren and all those familiar Barre names she leaves behind. Sincerely, Jo Ellen Pirie, Hampton Beach, NH

Tom & Sue Companion

February 14, 2013

May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.

February 13, 2013

My sincerest sympathy to Merilyn's family at this time. She was the epitomy of a good wife, mother and friend. May happy memories and the support of your many friends bring comfort to you at this time.
Roberta (Bradbury) Fuller
Nokomis, Florida

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