NORWAY – It is with heavy hearts we announce the passing of Verna Mary Colby Meserve on Dec. 2, 2022. Verna spent her last days surrounded by family and friends sharing favorite memories of our time with her.

Verna was born on May 10, 1934, to Edgar and Marguerite Colby in South Paris, Maine. She had two brothers, Floyd and Raymond Colby, and one sister Janice Thayer.

After graduating from Oxford High School in 1952, Verna attended Bliss Business School. She became a business education teacher and taught in Solon and West Paris. Later she taught typing for Adult Ed at Oxford Hills High School. She often shared memories of her students and spoke fondly of having been a teacher.

Verna married Ronald Meserve in 1961 (divorced). They lived in Oxford and had two children, Nancy and Roberta (Bobbie), who were supposed to be Charles and Robert, but we made the best of it. Verna loved her family very much. She was a mother, sister, gram, aunt, and friend, a shoulder to cry on for so many people. She will be remembered for her smile.

Verna was a trustee for Freeland Holmes Library and a member of the Oxford Congregational Church. For many years, she was a brownie leader, a volunteer at the Oxford County Fair, and an organizer of the Oxford High School reunions.

Verna is survived by her daughters and their husbands, Nancy and Don Smith and Roberta and Jeffrey Polland; grandsons Nathan (Shallon) Meserve, Cody (Keri) Smith, and Andrew Polland; sister Janice Thayer, and sister-in-law Marilyn Colby; and many great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. She was predeceased by her brothers, Floyd and Raymond, her brother-in-law Edwin Thayer; and infant grandson Michael Polland.

Services will be held Saturday, Dec. 10, at 11:00 a.m. at the Oxford Congregational Church on King Street, Oxford.

Arrangements are under the care of Oxford Hills Funeal Services, 1037 Main St., Oxford. Online condolences may be shared with her family at http://www.oxfordhillsfuneralservices.com.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:

Freeland Holmes Library in Oxford or the Oxford Congregational Church

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