CUMBERLAND — Sylvia Jane Fortier Merryman, 86, died after a long illness Jan. 8 at Ledgeview Assisted Living in Cumberland Foreside with loved ones at her side, including her little dog Max.

Born in Houlton on March 10, 1924, she was the ninth child of 10 born to Charles Thomas Fortier and Laura Beatrice Stairs Fortier and attended school in Houlton.

During World War II she worked at the South Portland shipyard.

In 1952 she married Donald F. Merryman in Freeport. For over 40 years they lived in Bellingham, Mass., where she was a housewife and mother, and enjoyed bowling, gardening and crafts.

She was predeceased by her husband, her daughter Linda Merryman Irving, siblings Grace Smith, MaryAnn Peck, Violet Rowe, John, Thomas and Lawrence Fortier, and half-siblings, Lydia Faulkner, Marge Yaccarino, Charles and Edward Boyne.

She is survived by her son, Charles Rowe, and his wife Susan of Freeport; siblings Ann Backlin of New Gloucester, Earl Fortier and his wife Vivian of Virginia Beach, Va., and Alice Libby of Deltona Beach, Fla.; a special niece, Laura Dalrymple of Freeport; her granddaughter Christine Edson and her husband Jerred of Limington; and great-grandsons, Hunter and Tanner Edson.

The family wishes to thank VNA Hospice for their care of Sylvia and especially wants to thank Karen and David Landa and their staff at Ledgeview for their love and support over the last three years.

Visiting hours will be on Friday, Jan. 14 from 4 to 6 p.m. at Lindquist Funeral Home, One Mayberry Lane, Yarmouth. A funeral service will be held at the funeral home on Saturday, Jan. 15 at 11 a.m.

Please visit lindquistfuneralhome.com to view a video collage of her life and to share condolences, tributes and memories with her family.

Memorial donations may be made to the Animal Refuge League, P.O. Box 336, Westbrook, ME 04098.

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