1944 – 2014

NORWAY — Nicole Jane Merrill, 70, of Main Street in Bethel, died unexpectedly on Friday, Oct. 31, at Stephens Memorial Hospital.

She was born in Rumford on Sept. 2, 1944, a daughter of Maurice and Yvette (Houde) Roy, and was educated in local schools. She married Ralph Merrill on Sept. 22, 1961, in Rumford.

Nicole worked as a school bus driver for SAD 44 for many years and was a member of the Bethel Bus Drivers Breakfast Club. She enjoyed coaching softball and cheering, knitting, playing cards and computer games, football and books on tape, and loved spending time with her family and going “up to camp.”

She is survived by two sons, Chris Merrill of Albany Township and Allan Merrill of Mason Township; one daughter, Mindy Chase, of Columbus, Ga.; three brothers, Maurice Roy and Patrice Roy, both of Rumford, and Denis Roy of Bethel, Conn.; one sister, Pauline Knoder, of Missouri; six grandchildren, Brock Merrill of Industry, Britney Merrill of Mount Laurel, N.J., Teague Merrill of Bethel, Mackenzie Blake of Bethel, Daunté Lewis of Georgia and Max Merrill of Albany; and two great-grandchildren, Leah and Lucy Merrill, both of Industry.

Nicole was predeceased by her husband, Ralph, on Nov. 11, 2006.