Mrs. Ethel F. Merlet

DALTON- Ethel Frances (Parks) Merlet, 98, passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 26, 2013 at Kindred Nursing and Rehabilitation - Laurel Lake in Lee, MA. Ethel was born May 22, 1915, the daughter of Henry and Ruth (Hathaway) Parks in Windsor, MA. Ethel graduated from Dalton High School in 1933. She went on to graduate from Troy School of Nursing in Troy, NY in 1935 as a Child's Nurse. After graduation and until her marriage, Ethel worked for the Jones', McIntosh and Crane families as the children's nurse in Berkshire County and travelled with the families. Her last position was at the Veterans' Hospital in Leeds, MA from 1966 to 1973. Ethel married Bernard E. Merlet on February 11, 1942 in Boston when he was on leave from the Army. After World War II, they traveled extensively while her husband, Bernie was in the service. They both loved to travel and always vacationed to interesting locales where they were stationed. After his retirement from the Army in 1966, they made their home in West Cummington, MA. In 1973 Bernie and Ethel moved to Florida. During their retirement they enjoyed travelling by trailer to visit family and friends in Texas, California, Massachusetts and Maine. Bernie died January 24, 1981 and Ethel continued to live in Florida until moving to Dalton in June, 2001. Ethel leaves her children Bernard and his wife, Chris, of Cheshire and Florida and Susan Campbell and her husband Gary of Dalton. She also leaves her beloved grandchildren and great grandchildren: Heather Merlet of Warwick, RI; Holly (Merlet) and David Merrick, their children David and Chase of Tallahassee, FL; Bernard III and Heidi Merlet, their children Quincy and Elias of Melbourne, FL, Gary and Kelly Campbell, their children Tanner and Dane of Peru, MA; Katie (Campbell) and Jason Irizarry, their children Javier and Alex of Amherst, MA; Cindy (Campbell) and Cori Dionne, their children Lewis and Elizabeth of Winslow, ME; Cathy (Doolan) and Zack Gotka of Chicago, IL and Shane and Shannon Doolan and their daughter Leia of Pittsfield, MA. She also leaves her wonderful sister-in-law Mary (Russell) Parks of Naples, FL. Mary always sent uplifting letters from "home". Ethel was predeceased by her brothers Charles Parks and Russell Parks, sisters Esther Alexander and Doris Neumeister. At the time of her death, she was a resident of Laurel Lake, Lee, MA and received very kind and thoughtful care there, Thank you to the staff and volunteers that made her days brighter. The family is also indebted to the wonderful care Mom received during her five years at Curtis Manor in Dalton. The family atmosphere there was uplifting to many people that had family there. FUNERAL NOTICE- Funeral services for Mrs. Ethel F. Merlet will be held Tuesday, October 1, 2013 at 11am at BARTLETT WELLINGTON FUNERAL HOME, with Rev. Dr. Alex Hunter, officiating. Burial will follow in the Main Street Cemetery in Dalton. There will be an hour of visitation on the day of the service from 10am until the service begins at 11am. Donations in Ethel's memory may be made to the First Congregational Church of Dalton in care of the funeral home. Please visit www.wellingtonfuneralhome.com to leave condolences for the family.

Mrs. Ethel F. Merlet

May 22, 1915 - September 26, 2013