Emma Ruth Merrill

Age 86, passed away peacefully at home, after a long struggle, surrounded by her loving family, Thursday, April 13, 2006.She was born December 5, 1919 at St. Joseph?s Hospital in Elmira, NY, the daughter of the late Floyd Russell Gillette, Lena Peterson Gillette and Ruth Mays Fanning, was also predeceased by her husband, Richard A. Merrill, brother Calvin R. Gillette and sister Dorothy Sweeney McConnell.Emma is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law, Nancy and James Beeman of Vista, CA, Judy and Richard Lown of Elmira, NY, grandchildren Amy and Emilio Solano of Los Angeles, CA, Daniel and Marie Lown of Elmira, NY, great-grandchildren Pablo and Natalia Solano of Los Angeles, CA, Annie Laken, Sadie Rae, and Emmie Alexander Lown of Elmira, NY, brothers-in-law Frank C. Merrill of Bare Foot Bay, FL and George McConnell of Schenectady, NY, very special nephews and nieces, Calvin and Barbara Gillette, Nancy and James Danaher, Catherine Hanrahan, Jo Ellen Sweeney, Michael Sweeney, Gerald and Pat Sweeney with their families, many cousins, great-nieces and great-nephews as well as many wonderful friends.Emma worked at the Elmira Knitting Mill and retired from St. Joseph?s Hospital with 30 years of service.She was an active member of Grace Episcopal Church, Altar Guild, annual rummage sales and the Community Kitchen.Emma was a charter member of the Knit-Wits for 44 years, a group of very close friends, Mary Morrell, Johanne Miles, Teresa Burin, Anne Ferraro, Natalie Kondrk, Kitty Ridosh, and Anne Maloney, who knitted caps for newborns at both local hospitals, made caps, mittens, and scarves for the people of need at Christmas, plus lap robes and slippers for residents at the Chemung County Nursing Facility and Elcor Health Services.Arthritis slowed the speed of their knitting needles so they switched to playing cards and became the ?Golden Girls?.She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt and a wonderful friend.We loved her and will miss her.The family of Emma would like to give special thanks to Sandra Lovell and Marie Lown for their tender love in caring for our mom; to Pat Faber for bringing communion and fulfilling our mom?s spiritual needs ? you are a beautiful soul; to all our wonderful friends and family who have given us the support system to get through these past three years.We have been truly blessed.The family will receive friends at Grace Episcopal Church Parish House on Monday, April 17, 2006 from 10:00 to 11:00 am.A solemn Requiem Mass will follow immediately at 11:00 am with Fr. Leon Love, Celebrant.The family will provide flowers.Memorials in Emma?s memory may be directed to Grace Episcopal Church, 375 W. Church St., Elmira, NY 14901.Arrangements are entrusted to Olthof Funeral Home, Inc.Those wishing may leave a ?Candle of Remembrance? for the family in Obituaries at www.olthof.com .