Audrey Merrill
New London — With her family by her side, Audrey Merrill died at her home in New London on April 1, 2024. The daughter of William and Helen Neal, she was born in Montreal, Canada, on Feb. 8, 1938. Audrey was raised in Vermont and New Hampshire and, despite moving to Connecticut for good in 1956, proudly retained aspects of her northern New England accent throughout her life. As a freshman at Central Connecticut Teachers College, Audrey met the Rev. Ralph E. Merrill, who served as chaplain to the school’s Young People’s Fellowship. They married in 1958 and had three children, Ellen Merrill of New London, Thomas Merrill of Madison and Sarah Merrill of Alexandria, Va. In 1974, Audrey moved with her family to Waterford from Shelton when Ralph became rector at St. James Episcopal Church in New London. She and Ralph later retired to her current residence in New London.
Audrey was an active member of St. James’ parish and later St. John’s in Niantic. During her time in the area, she worked at Catholic Charities and volunteered both at the New London Trolley Information Center and as a docent at the Lyman Allyn Art Museum. She was a talented needle worker and bridge player whose other interests included traveling, reading, genealogy and following her beloved Boston Red Sox. Diagnosed in her 50s with a rare eye disease that eventually left her blind, Audrey never lost her ability to see the world, perhaps because she was such a great listener. She remained a voracious reader, listening to countless books on tape and through readings by friends. She also continued to travel the world with Ralph as her guide until his death in 2011.
In addition to her children, Audrey is survived by her sister, Nancy Neal of Baltimore, Md.; sister in-law, Anne Larson of Somers; a daughterin-law, Mary Beth Forshaw of Madison; a son-in-law, Scott Colson of Alexandria, Va.;, and her three grandchildren, Maggie Colson of Houston; Louis Colson (and Abby Chan) of Boston; and Will Merrill of New York City. She inspired all of them with her courage as she dealt with her blindness and multiple cancers that eventually conquered her body but never her spirit.
A service to celebrate Audrey’s life will be held at 11 a.m. April 5, 2024, at St. James Church, 76 Federal St., New London. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to either St. James or St. John’s Churches, or to the Covenant Shelter of New London.
Her family is forever thankful to Audrey’s companions who have read to her, shopped for her, and listened to her boast about her grandchildren in the years since Ralph’s death. They are also grateful to the hospice providers from Hartford Healthcare for the compassionate care they gave Audrey in her final days.
Byles Memorial Home, 99 Huntington St., New London, is assisting with the arrangements. Please visit www.Byles. com for directions, to sign the guestbook or to share a memory.