Verna P. (Merrithew) Hanson
February 22, 1912 — April 29, 2009
GARDNER - Verna P. (Merrithew) Hanson, 97, went to her heavenly home, having succumbed to pneumonia, on Wednesday, April 29th. She died at home in the arms of her loving daughter, Sharon, who cared for her over the past several years.
Verna was born in Canterbury, New Brunswick, Canada on February 22, 1912, the daughter of Levi and Edith (Estey) Merrithew. She moved to Pittsfield, Maine as a teenager and later became a US citizen. She graduated from Maine Central Institute in Pittsfield in 1932.
Verna moved to Gardner in 1966 with her husband and daughters. Following her graduation, Verna spent summers in the White Mountains of New Hampshire waiting on tables. She worked with her husband, Harry, at the White Star Laundry in Pittsfield until he sold the business. For many years, both in Pittsfield and in Gardner, she cared for and helped raise many young children in her home including her own great-nephews and grandchildren. In Pittsfield, Verna attended the First Baptist Church.
Since 1966, she has been an active member of the First Baptist Church of South Gardner, where she belonged to the Women's Federation, Harmony Circle, the Guild and also served on many committees. She loved to sing and was a faithful choir member all her life. Verna was well known for her wonderful baking skills. The smell of freshly baked oatmeal bread along with a pot of homemade baked beans was in the air in her home every Saturday. Verna was an accomplished poet having written dozens of poems throughout her life including an epic poem about the Merrithew family. She wrote poems for her grandchildren which were published in a poetry journal. Verna also had a talent for reciting verses, rhymes and scripture. Even after her memory declined, she was able to rattle off many a rhyme over and over, continuing to bring laughter and joy to those around her. Verna had many interests and was known for her collections of glassware including her earliest collection of assorted pitchers, a variety of toothpick holders, and many beautiful china tea cups and saucers. Verna was a strong woman who will be remembered for her hard work and generous spirit, her great sense of humor, and her kind and loving ways. She will be greatly missed by all her family.
Verna married Harry E. Hanson on June 16, 1946 in Cherryfield, Maine. They celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary shortly before he passed away in 2004. Verna leaves three daughters, Sharon Ringuette and her husband, Louis of Gardner, Bonnie Jean Gulliver and her husband, Roger of Palm Bay, Florida, and Bonnie Chris LeBlanc and her husband, Allen of Northport, Florida; two step-sons, the Rev. Dr. Robert A. Hanson and his wife, Barbara of Plymouth, Sterling "Shorty" Hanson and his wife, Roberta of Carver, a step-daughter, Elizabeth "Bunny" Frasier and her husband, Al of Plymouth; and one sister, Elizabeth Randall and her husband, Earl of Newport, Maine; 18 grandchildren, 38 great grandchildren and many loving nieces and nephews. She was pre-deceased by 6 sisters, Helen Webber, Kathleen Grant, Margery Withee, Hazel Merrithew, Stella Chadbourne and Mildred Monahan, and 3 brothers, Leonard, Clifford, and Robert Merrithew.
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, May 5th at 11 A.M. in the First Baptist Church, 14 High Street, Gardner. The Rev. James E. Hinds will officiate. Graveside services will be held in the Village Cemetery, Pittsfield, Maine at 1:30 P.M. on Wednesday, May 6th where the Rev Bill Johnson will officiate. Calling hours in the Stone-Ladeau Funeral Home, 343 Central Street, Winchendon will be held Monday, May 4th from 6 to 8 P.M..
Memorial contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church, 14 High Street, Gardner, MA. 01440.