Exeter - Sally Williams Merrick, age 85, passed away peacefully on September 19, 2024, in Exeter, NH, surrounded by her loving family. Her devoted husband of over 60 years, Frank Merrick, was by her side.

Born on September 21, 1938, in Dayton, Ohio, Sally was the cherished daughter of the late Insco John Williams and Harriette (Spake) Williams. She was raised in Oakwood, Ohio, where her lifelong passion for learning began.

Sally graduated from the College of William and Mary with a Bachelor of Arts in History, where she was a proud member of Phi Beta Kappa. She continued her academic journey at Tufts University, earning a Master's of Education, and later obtained a Master's in English from Salem State University.

For over 20 years, Sally taught English and British literature at Triton Regional High School in Byfield, MA. As the head of the English department, she found great joy in fostering a love of literature in her students, leaving a lasting impact on many.

Sally and Frank met at Maddie's Sail Loft in Marblehead, Massachusetts, and shared a lifelong passion for sailing. They spent over 40 summers exploring the coast of Maine with their three sons. Alongside close friends, they ventured on expeditions along the coasts of Greenland, Labrador, Newfoundland, Alaska, Chile, Patagonia, Cape Horn, and the Falkland Islands.

After more than 20 years in Amesbury, Massachusetts, Frank and Sally found their true home on a beautiful plot of land in Friendship, Maine. There, they built their dream house on the coast, where they spent many happy years enjoying the best Maine had to offer.

Sally is survived by her husband, Frank, her three sons, Robert and his fiancé Caryn Gardiner of Centerville, VA, Christopher and his wife Laurie of Stratham, NH, and Ned and his wife Rita of Redditch, England, and five grandchildren, Emma, Taylor, Steven, William, and Molly.

A memorial service will be held at 12 p.m. on Saturday, September 28, 2024, at the Remick & Gendron Funeral Home- Crematory, 811 Lafayette Road, Hampton, NH. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Friendship Public Library by visiting www.friendshiplibrary.me/donate, in Sally's honor. Please visit www.RemickGendron.com to sign Sally's tribute wall, and for additional information.