Elizabeth Merritt, 78

Elizabeth Merritt, 78, of Chester, passed away Monday, Feb. 8, 2016, at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon. She was born June 2, 1937, in Springfield, the daughter of Rosario and Laura (Buskey) Pignato. She attended Springfield schools and graduated from Springfield High School, Class of 1955. On Oct. 19, 1957, she married Thomas Merritt in Springfield. They resided in the Chester area for many years.

She worked at Bryant Grinder Corporation in Springfield, Mack Molding in Cavendish, and later worked as a seamstress for the Tony Totes Company. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary 67 in Chester, and a member of the VFW Post 771 Auxiliary in Springfield. She enjoyed camping, gardening, playing bingo and cribbage and spending time with her family.

She is survived by her husband Thomas of Chester; three sons, Robert Merritt of Springfield, Richard Merritt of Fayetteville, North Carolina, and James Merritt of Charlestown; one daughter, Carol Batchelder of Rockingham; one sister, Pauline Lehoullier of Johnson, Vermont; seven grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and several nieces, nephews and cousins. She was predeceased by an infant son, Alden; two brothers, Joseph Pignato and Patsy Pignato, and two sisters, Mary Wyman and Victoria Davis.

A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 14, at the Simonsville Cemetery in Andover, Vermont. Reverend Gail Kindberg will officiate. A gathering will follow the service and the location will be announced at a later date. Contributions may be made in her memory to the Norris Cotton Cancer Center One Medical Center Drive Lebanon, NH 03766. Arrangements are under the direction of the Davis Memorial Chapel in Springfield.

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