GARDINER – Merilyn B. Choate, 56, of Gardiner, passed away peacefully on Nov. 24 at MaineGeneral Medical Center with her family by her side, after a brief but courageous battle with cancer.

She is survived by her husband of 35 years, Stephen R. Choate; her mother, Viola W. Bucknam of Hallowell; three children, Michael Choate of Albion, Chelley Laliberte and her husband, David, of Richmond, and Stephanie Eschelman and her husband, Bud, of Farmingdale; father-in-law Richard M. Choate and his wife, Lucy, of Winthrop; sister, Jenelle Rowe and her husband, Skip, of Farmingdale; sisters-in-law, Marjorie Frye and her husband, Roland, of Hallowell, and Alanna Cole and her husband, Donald, of Sidney; her grandchildren, the lights of her life, Nicholas, Chris, Saray, “Mimi’s angel,” and Timothy-Michael, and was especially excited about the arrival of Brayden in December; along with several nieces and nephews; and her dog, Abbie.