SOUTH PARIS — Esther Martin Merrill, 102, of South Paris, died Saturday, Sept. 4, at Market Square Health Care Center where she has resided since August, 2004.

She was born in Oxford on July 6, 1908, the oldest child of George and Alice Small Martin. She attended schools in Oxford and Mechanic Falls. She married Clarence Chester Merrill of South Paris in 1925, and they celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary before he died in November of 1994.

Esther was employed at Cummings in Norway, Paris Corn Shop and in the Oxford County Register of Deeds office. She cared for several several children in her home on occasion, as well as caring for both her parents and her brother, Eddie Martin, in their last years. She always made herself available to those who needed help. Most of all she loved her husband, their children, all their grandchildren and her home.

She was a member of the Mother’s Club, Friday Club, Extension and Deering Memorial United Methodist Church where she held several offices. She also served Kiwanis dinners regularly with other members. She was a wonderful cook, one of the Kiwanians always ordered a special custard pie to go every month.

Survivors include her son, Clarence H. and his wife, Bernice, of Oxford; two daughters and their husbands, Gloria and Hugo Komulainen of Standish and Eloise and Peter Collette of West Paris.; grandchildren, Virginia Rice, Steven Merrill and Carol, Linda Tenney, Rick Tenney, David and Beth Komulainen, Tom and Linda Komulainen, Diane Komulainen and husband, Jodie McGowan, Bradley and Lucie Collette, Bruce and Lynne Collette, Barry Collette, and Tania Collette; 22 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren; two brothers, Eugene Martin of Indiana and Percy Martin of Norway.

She was predeceased by a grandson, Bryan Collette; and a daughter-in-law, Marjorie Merrill who passed in 1976.

The family expresses their sincere appreciation to the staff at Market Square Health Care Center for their excellent care and warm friendly atmosphere in Restcare for the patient and their families, also Andrews West. Online condolences may be shared with her family at www.westonchandler.com.