FALMOUTH — Katherine Merrill “Kay” Iverson, 99, formerly of Cambridge and Sherborn, Mass., died Nov. 13 at Foreside Harbor surrounded by family.

Born on July 31, 1910, in Brooklyn, N.Y., she was a daughter of Charles Francis and Gertrude Roxana (Beecher) Park.

A direct descendent of Harriet Beecher Stowe, author of “Uncle Tom’s Cabin,” and Henry Ward Beecher, she took to heart their example of service.

A graduate of Smith College, she served as president of her class and captain of three sports teams.

In June 1932, she married Dudley Merrill of Bangor. After his death in 1988, she later married Joseph Iverson in 1990. He predeceased her in 1994.

She was an active member of the Pilgrim Church in Sherborn, Mass., and volunteered at a local hospital and senior center.

Known for her cheerfulness, service, thrift and determination, she was most happy when she was helping people.

Her interests included gardening, watching and playing sports, walking in the woods, puzzles, sailing and knitting. For her, life was about enjoying simple pleasures and serving others.

She was predeceased by her first husband, Dudley, in 1988, her second husband, Joseph, in 1994, two daughters, Gertrude Merrill Barr and Katherine Merrill Lambert, and her brother, William Beecher Park.

Survivors include three children, Adele Merrill Welch of Lincoln, Mass., Dudley Merrill Jr., and his wife Catherine of Pepperell, Mass., and Charles P. Merrill and his wife Otty of Falmouth; a sister, Roxana Carnes of Cooperstown, N.Y.; twelve grandchildren; and 33 great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at a later date in Sherborn, Mass.

Arrangements are by Conroy-Tully Crawford Funeral Home, 172 State St., Portland.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.ctcrawford.com.

Memorial donations may be made to the Pilgrim Church, 25 South Main St., Sherborn, MA, 01770, or to the Sherborn Council on Aging, 19 Washington St., Sherborn, MA, 01770.

 

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