AUBURN — Esther Merrill Carrigan, 85, of Auburn died peacefully on Aug. 11. She was surrounded by the dedicated staff of Clover Health Care, where she had been a resident for the past several months.

Esther Merrill was born in Randolph, Feb. 8, 1925. She graduated from Gardiner High School in 1943. After graduation, Esther worked for the state of Maine. She met her future husband, William Carrigan Jr., at a dance at Island Park and they were married April 6, 1956.

Together they had three children, twin daughters, Diana and Sheila and son, William F. Carrigan III. After her husband’s death, she moved to Schooner Estates, where she enjoyed several years under their care. Esther’s passions included knitting, reading, and crossword puzzles. One of the greatest loves of Esther’s life was spending time at Popham Beach with her family and friends.

Esther is survived by two daughters, Diana Carrigan and Sheila DePalma and her husband, James; one son, William Carrigan and his partner, Maureen Desmond; and three grandsons, grandsons, Ryan Carrigan, and Adam and Jason DePalma.

Esther was predeceased by her husband, William; two sisters, Beverly Metivier and Leatrice Dale; and her parents, Madolin and H. Kendall Merrill.