Helen Elizabeth Merrel

Helen Elizabeth Merrel

Helen Elizabeth Merrel, of Charlottesville, passed away at age 94, Saturday, January 30, 2010.

Born in Ontario, Canada, she was the second of seven children of R.D. and Mabel Law. She became an elementary school teacher and taught in Toronto, Ontario, as well as schools in Louisiana, Pennsylvania, and finally in the Brunswick County, Virginia Public School System. Helen also served in the Royal Canadian Women's Navy during World War II.

She was preceded in death by her husband, William B. Merrel, professor at St. Paul's College in Lawrenceville, Virginia.

She leaves to treasure her memory, two sons, Christopher W. Merrel and his wife, Nancy, of South Hill, Virginia, and Paul K. Merrel and his wife, Penny, of Charlottesville. She also leaves three grandsons, Jonathan, Joshua, and Benjamin Merrel; and one granddaughter, Chloe Merrel; as well as a sister; three brothers; and numerous nieces and nephews still living in Canada.

Helen was a member of First Presbyterian Church. She was a very active volunteer at her church and community, serving with Soup Kitchen, Meals on Wheels, Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic, and the Adult Literacy Program. Helen also enjoyed reading, sewing and entertaining family and friends. She spent her last two years living at Rosewood Village, and her family would like to thank the staff at Rosewood for all their loving care.

A memorial service will be held 2 p.m. Tuesday February 9, 2010, at First Baptist Church, Charlottesville. Internment will take place at a later time in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Helen's name may be made to the Charlottesville-Albemarle Rescue Squad or to Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic.


This obituary was originally published in the Daily Progress.